Onancock, VA, a charming, historic town on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, has a new brand and tagline, reflecting the many attributes that make Onancock such a special and unique place. A new website, experienceonancock.com, rounds out a package of materials that reinforce the town’s essence.

The branding project was commissioned by Onancock Main Street (OMS), which worked with diverse representatives from across the town who contributed to the process over the past year.  Onancock is a year-round community and it was important that the branding appeal to visitors and Onancock residents alike.

“The branding reflects our significant history – we were charted in 1680 – and our charming small size, as well as our abundant nature, outdoor opportunities, and sophisticated dining and artisan scene.”

– Fletcher Fosque, Mayor of Onancock

The new logos feature a clean, contemporary font while incorporating the year “1680.” The colors of slate blue, foggy grey and Spanish moss were chosen, in part, to reflect the nature that surrounds Onancock. Marketing to visitors will include the tagline “A little slice of nowhere else” to convey the town’s small size (just over 1100 residents), friendly atmosphere and uniqueness. Advertising will also play on the letter “O” such as “O’ the fun you’ll have in Onancock!”

“It was no easy task to condense all of the amazing elements of Onancock into a few words and design for the town branding. I want to commend Otto Design and Marketing for their partnership over the past year. They truly listened to extensive community feedback offered from businesses and residents.”

– Jenny Gehman, Program Manager, Onancock Main Street

Visitors to and residents of Onancock, one of the oldest towns in Virginia, traverse streets laid out when the town was chartered by the King of England in 1680. As a compact, pet-friendly, water town, Onancock is walkable from the “docks to the shops” and a perfect destination for residents of Washington, D.C., Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Richmond/Hampton Roads who want to travel just a few hours by car. Located at the heart of Virginia’s Eastern Shore, Onancock also is an ideal base for half-day side trips.

The new branding and tagline, which were funded by a DHCD Community Vitality Grant grant, will be used in marketing elements such as advertising, signage, banners and more. Examples of the branding can be found at the Town Hall, and businesses interested in applying for use of the branding can find an application on the Town of Onancock’s website.

OMS also secured a grant from the Virginia Tourism Commission and worked with Otto Design and Marketing to create a new, comprehensive tourism website for Onancock  – experienceonancock.com – that reinforces the new branding, while promoting the town to visitors and providing existing and new businesses with resources. OMS, which is part of the Virginia Main Street (VMS) Program, is a volunteer-driven, nonprofit organization that works to develop and sustain Onancock’s historic downtown as a vital economic, cultural, recreational and residential center for the community.

Pictured above are OMS board members, Otto Design & Marketing representatives and Onancock government officials celebrating the launch of the new Onancock branding logos and tagline and a new website on Friday, July 9.

Pictured left to right:

Karin Rush-Monroe, Bob Spoth, Elizabeth Lankford, Janet Fosque, Carol Tunstall: Onancock Main Street (OMS); Fletcher Fosque, Onancock Mayor; Cindy Mackey, Pete Leddy: Otto Design & Marketing; Matt Spuck, Onancock Town Manager; Ashley Gray: Otto; Beth Temple, Jeff Vernimb: OMS