RICHLANDS, VA – JANUARY 29, 2026 – What all started when a fellow band member gave Christopher Blankenship a box of parts leading him to build a guitar for his son, turned into a hobby and he began ordering more parts and turning out custom guitars. It came full circle recently when Blankenship and his wife, Whitney, turned his hobby into a new business, officially opening Rhythmic Restorations, LLC at 2200 Front Street, Suite A in Richlands, VA.
Rhythmic Restorations is a recent recipient of a $10,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Seed Capital Matching Grant. Seed capital grants are funded from regional funds received by VCEDA which are paid by the natural gas industry.
“Rhythmic Restorations not only manufactures and sells custom guitars, but also offers new and used instruments for sale, as well as repair services,” said Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA executive director/general counsel. “The new business projects four full-time and three part-time employees within five years.”
“I built one guitar from scratch and then I just kept on going,” Blankenship said of how he got into the business of building custom guitars. “I’ve built them on the side since 2024. So far, I’ve built 12 and I’ve sold 11 of them. I get an idea in my head and then I kinda run with it. These are instruments ready to go to the stage.”
Blankenship has been a musician since the age of six, learning guitar at age 15.
In addition to building and repairing guitars, Blankenship’s business also sells new and used equipment. In addition to the retail area, the new shop also has space to dedicate for music classes and in the future, Blankenship said he hopes to branch out to build custom banjos and mandolins.
“We used the VCEDA seed capital grant for flooring and paint to renovate the new space and to get it retail ready,” Blankenship said. “We also used it for inventory to expand our guitar line and supplies. We are planning a small stage area and want to start hosting jam sessions for all ages — for beginners as well as for seasoned musicians. Guitar lessons will also be offered in the future.”
Blankenship continues to build custom guitars and can build one to customer specs. When one custom guitar sells, he starts working on the next one.
“I’m super thankful for the grant and the opportunity,” Blankenship said. “It helps us take the next step to provide these services in Richlands and Southwest Virginia to people who are interested in musical instruments.”
Future plans also call for the development of a recording studio to provide musicians with a full-service creative environment under one roof, Blankenship said.
The Blankenships worked with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Southwest Virginia Community College (SWCC) in developing their application to VCEDA and received a letter of support from the Tazewell County Industrial Development Authority.
“The Southwest Virginia Community College Small Business Development Center congratulates Rhythmic Restorations on receiving a VCEDA Seed Capital Grant,” said Denise Harmon, director of the SBDC at SWCC. “The SBDC was pleased to assist with the application process and is proud to support this new specialty business, providing music restoration services and lessons in Southwest Virginia.”
“The Tazewell County IDA is excited to support Rhythmic Restorations guitar and musical instrument manufacturing repair and customization to Tazewell County and our surrounding region,” said Tazewell County IDA Executive Director Tim Danielson. “The support of VCEDA through the Seed Capital Grant program is invaluable for new startup businesses in Tazewell County and Southwest Virginia. Rhythmic Restorations will offer professional custom manufacturing repair and modifications primarily to guitars but other strin instruments maybe in the future. This business will support our region’s music industry as well as regional and national customers. We look forward to being a supportive public partner for Rhythmic Restorations custom guitar services among other musical services they plan to offer customers. Their current and future growth plans will always be welcome in Tazewell County.”
For more information about Rhythmic Restorations, interested persons may call 276-385-2625, check out their website at www.rhythmicrestorations.com or find them on Facebook.
About Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority and Southwest Virginia’s e-Region: The Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1988 to enhance and diversify the region’s economy and help create jobs, markets Southwest Virginia’s e-Region and its focus on electronic information technology, energy, education, emerging technologies, and entrepreneurship. VCEDA is a unique economic development organization that manages funds for economic development projects from a percentage of the coal and natural gas severance taxes paid by coal and natural gas companies that operate in the region. Located in southwestern Virginia, the region includes Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell, and Wise counties and the City of Norton. www.vceda.us or www.e-Region.org.
About the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority Seed Capital Matching Grant Fund: VCEDA region for-profit businesses, within qualifying business categories, one year and under with less than 10 full-time employees are eligible to apply for dollar-for-dollar matching grants up to $10,000 from the VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Fund. Applicants work with the Small Business Development Centers at Mountain Empire and Southwest Virginia community colleges to prepare the applications to VCEDA that include detailed business and financial plans. Businesses must be located in or plan to operate in the VCEDA region in southwestern Virginia that includes Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell, and Wise counties and the City of Norton.
