This story was updated March 27, 2026, to reflect new information. When the axe fell on Stefan Friedman’s restaurants, their sudden closures left staff and patrons surprised. Ace Biscuit & Barbecue, Omakase Obscura, The Wine Guild of Charlottesville, Vitae Spirits Distillery, and Old Metropolitan Hall—the entire once-bountiful table of Friedman’s company, A Moveable Feast—folded or changed […]
After a 20-year love affair, Melanie Schaefer decided to branch out: to copper, brass, and bronze, that is. Silver, she says, has become too pricey for artistic monogamy. “In the last year, the price of the metal that I use has tripled, plus some,” explains Schaefer, a jewelry maker who, until 2026, has worked almost exclusively […]
In an ever-changing national political climate, it can be easy to miss the latest local goings-on. So rather than a look at what’s happening nationally, this week’s C-VILLE dives into the “state of the union” in Albemarle County, from money matters to flight paths. Assessments Per the county’s 2026 reassessment, property values are up across […]
When Sunshine Mathon took the helm as executive director of the Piedmont Housing Alliance in August 2017, the entity managed about 350 affordable units. Since then, PHA has doubled that number through projects such as the redevelopment of Friendship Court into Kindlewood and construction of affordable rental units at the redeveloped Southwood Village. And there’s […]
When Charlottesville City Council adopted a new zoning code in December 2023, the intent was to streamline the development process to make it easier for new construction to get built. “As expected with any framework, we identified areas that need a refinement and over the past year, staff and the Planning Commission has worked to […]
By now, you’ve likely seen them: videos of people in homes like ours, on streets like ours, sobbing, screaming, or silent. Dragged from their cars, their homes, their lives by masked, anonymous men dressed and armed for war. You’ve seen federal agents shoot and kill unarmed Americans, and witnessed federal officials blame those people for […]
Lost in revision CORRECTION 2/18/26: Language in the HB1263 substitute excludes all higher education employees from collective bargaining units through its definition of “state agencies.” The following article has been edited for accuracy. C-VILLE regrets the error. The House of Delegates Appropriations committee quietly removed higher education employees from HB1263, its collective bargaining legislation, on […]
To celebrate its 30th anniversary this year, Abundant Life Ministries wants to construct a 10,370-square-foot community building behind a single-family house it owns at 782 Prospect Ave. The group filed the first set of plans with Charlottesville’s Department of Neighborhood Development Services on February 12. Such a building would be a by-right use under the […]
Seven Development will try a third time to create a plan for a 3.15-acre site in Crozet’s growth area after both the Albemarle Planning Commission and neighbors said the plans for Windy Knoll were too dense. “When you actually stand on the northern part of this property, I don’t understand how it’s possible to say […]
Renovation at the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail is underway, following the demolition of the 1974 portion of the facility earlier this month. After years of debate, the $49 million project was narrowly approved by City Council last June. While critics and supporters of the project largely agreed that the facilities needed an update, the price tag […]