Folks over in Crozet have been working on the railroad. Er, rather, the railroad issue. In early May, Buckingham Branch Rail- road, the company that leases Crozet’s Square area from CSX, put the kibosh on patrons parking there. Claiming liability issues, BBRR gave businesses on The Square—including Fardowners and Mud- house—30 days to get used to the idea.
|
All Squared off: After reaching an agreement with local business owners to assume liability for 45 days from the Buckingham Branch Railroad, The Square in Crozet is reopened to parking. |
But that time was cut unexpectedly short. Says Mudhouse Director of Operations Dan Pabst, Crozet business owners were still negotiating with BBRR when the railroad company erected a temporary fence across The Square early last week.
Shop owners had been considering an agreement to assume liability for 45 days, essentially buying more time to come up with a more permanent solution.
And, late last week, businesses on the Square, including Mudhouse, inked a temporary liability agreement with BBRR. It extends through June 30, at which point, it’s hoped, the county will assume respon- sibility for the parking area.
Like many who work at The Square, Mudhouse employees have been parking in the post office lot, leaving storefront spots open for patrons, and they will continue to do so. Calls to Fardowners were not immediately returned.
BBQ-zled!
In early April, Restaurantarama reported that Fossett’s chef Craig Hartman opened a down-home restaurant in Gordonsville. Sounds like it’s going even better than ex- pected. Last week, the Barbeque Ex- change owner resigned from his position at Fossett’s. Keswick’s Matthias Smith says Hartman will stay on through June as the restaurant searches for his replacement, but that the chef leaves big shoes to fill. “He’s been a fine ambassador to Keswick and the community,” Smith says.
Gibson’s revamped
Belmont residents, heed this: Gibson’s Grocery, at the corner of Hinton Avenue and Avon Street, is getting a makeover. Chris Gibson, whose father operated the store for more than 20 years, says they’re putting in new flooring and new electrical. He’s even raising the ceilings to preserve some of the original lighting.
Gibson plans to reopen as a grocery store, but with new items like to-go coffee and other such things. He says he’ll know more about the shop’s offerings in the summer.
Wine at Baggby’s?
Baggby’s Gourmet Sandwiches will soon be serving more than just a Remarkable sammy. The Downtown spot is waiting on a liquor license.
Says owner Mike LaPanta, Baggby’s will offer beer and wine in the evenings to those participating in Downtown events, like Fridays After Five.
