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Mitt Romney headed to Ashland this weekend

Posted at 1:44 PM, Aug 07, 2012
and last updated 2012-08-07 13:44:01-04

HANOVER COUNTY, Va (WTVR) -- Presumed GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney is slated to kick off a multi-state bus tour this Saturday.  His first stop is right here in Central Virginia.  CBS 6 News has learned Romney will be stopping at a catering business in Ashland (Hanover County).  And the local business, "Homemades by Suzanne," is no stranger to the political stage.  In 2008 the same spot hosted then Vice President nominee Sarah Palin.  Days before the event and the scheduled appearance is creating a lot of buzz.

"There's just huge hoopla that you wouldn't really know that goes on," said owner Suzanne Wolstenhome.  "It has been really exciting."

"I was going 'Oh my God, in Ashland...Wow," exclaimed local Jacqueline White.

On Saturday, presumptive GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney is set to enjoy everything the long-standing establishment dishes out--to include good eating.

"Goody, I'm glad because Virginia is a very key state in the election," said local Bill Wiggins.

"Homemades by Suzanne" is no stranger to the local and national spotlight.

"We've had everyone here from Sarah Palin, Oprah Winfrey, {Bob} McDonnell, {Eric} Cantor," said co-owner Kimberly Mills.  "It's a small town, it's got a lot to offer."

With the same precision, pie-maker Ms. Vernell puts into creating the award winning desserts, details are already being worked out to welcome the presidential hopeful.

"Thirty years ago, I thought we would be here for six months top because we didn't know what we were doing.  But 30 years later, here we still are," said Wolstenhome.  "And here we have a presidential candidate coming."

"I've lived in Ashland all my life, and for Ashland to get national recognition is amazing," said Mills.

Just as amazing is a dish, Mills hopes Romney samples during his stop at Suzanne's shop.

"I should say chicken salad, but I'm going to go for the crab cakes because that's one of my favorites," exclaimed Mills.

Romney is scheduled to appear at "Homemades by Suzanne" at 12:30 pm on Saturday.  The eatery is located at 102 North Railroad Avenue in Ashland. 

The Ashland event is part of a four-day, four state battleground campaign bus tour.

Romney's visit will come almost one month since President Barack Obama's campaign speech in Glen Allen.