Downtown Crozet Redevelopment Moving Forward

Brandon Shulleeta reports in today’s Daily Progress:

A plan that would refurbish business buildings in the heart of Crozet — connected to or within walking distance of new apartments — might begin within several months, despite major financial stumbles.

And Bill Atwood verbalizes succinctly something I’ve been saying more verbosely for years (bolding mine):

Atwood said that in the retail world, “the longer you can get people to stay, the better the pay. In other words, if you have somebody who’s actually going to stay and eat at dinner and actually walk around, you’ll be viable faster. … Having people live there is the ultimate.”

Atwood said that young residents are “more apt to want to be in town and places where you can socialize, buy a dog and buy a cup of coffee. … I think that the idea of joining a village is going to be as important the next 10 years as joining a country club in the last 10 years.”

This is good news for all of Crozet.

Update on the Blue Ridge Tunnel

Thanks to Emily Harper for the comment:

This is an update from Nelson County, the owners of the Blue Ridge Tunnel. The Tunnel is closed to the public at this time and any unauthorized persons entering at this time are trespassing. The Tunnel walls are not stable at this time. It is disappointing that some trespassers have been leaving trash and defacing the walls with graffiti.

It is the County’s objective to restore the Tunnel and convert it to a pedestrian trail. Woolpert Inc, our architectural & engineering firm is in the process of determining the most feasible, cost effective methods for rehabilitation and design of the Tunnel and related trails. Once that is complete construction will begin as funds are made available.

We appreciate your interest in the Tunnel, are working to make it safe for your enjoyment, and ask that you stay away until it’s completed.

Batesville Store – 24 October 2009

I can’t help but publicize the Batesville Store’s writing. It makes me want to go this weekend. This is their weekly newsletter:

Dear Friends of The Batesville Store,

Relax. Kick back in your chair and plop your feet on the desk. Take a deep breath. Close your eyes. Imagine:

The cool of a cold beverage pressed against your cheek. The riot of fragrances wafting from the garden. The clattering of Little Leaguers’ cleats on concrete and the cicada-like chatter of the infielders. The sounds of music from outdoor parties floating in the air late into the night.

And then, repeat after me:

Summer . . . never . . . ends . . . never ends . . . never. . . ends . . . never . . .

And it doesn’t—not at The Batesville Store. Don’t believe me? Then check out our “Fourth of July” Cookout this Saturday evening from 6:00 p.m. till 9:00 p.m.

Getting us all in the mood will be the great high school rock band, Wille DE and the Wave. Featuring Batesville’s own Willie Denton-Edmundson on lead guitar and vocals, the quartet performs regularly at Floyd Fest, the most acclaimed rock festival in the Southeast, and won first place in the 2009 “Virginia Got Talent” competition. These kids are good. Very. Good.

While The Wave rocks inside, Kyle will be outside with the Char-Broil, grilling up a whole mess of burgers, veggie burgers, hot dogs, chicken, and veggie kabobs.

Meanwhile, Liza and Roberta will be lining up the farm table with cole slaw, potato salad, mac & cheese, baked beans, and roasted potatoes.

Plunk down 10 bucks (8 dollars for kids under 10) and you can eat and eat and eat . . . till summer (never) ends.

And if you are looking for something cool to beat the heat, we will have Sierra Nevada and Yuengling on tap as well as our usual selection of wines.

So climb into your shorts, put on your favorite tee, slip on your sandals, and head on down to the store. It’ll be a hot time in the old town Saturday night—don’t be left out in the cold.

Fondly,

Cid

Anna’s Pizza in Crozet Review

From a reader:

Went to Anna’s grand opening last night in the Old Trail retail center. Looks like a local winner to me. Prices are reasonable and it’s family oriented but by no means a Chuck-E-Cheese kind of place. We were greeted by a wonderful aroma as we went in the back entrance where the wine bar is – they had a good wine selection with some local offerings. We had a couple of the specials which were excellent but were also drooling at the pizza and lasagna being served at nearby tables. Can’t wait to try those. Very personal and personable service and the head chef, family matriarch, and part owner, Maria, came out to talk to us about her authentic Sicilian background and recipes. The outside of that whole area could use some additional unobtrusive lighting in the parking lot and retail area but it’s tolerable at this point. I could go on but try Anna’s yourself, I think you’ll find it a fine addition to the Crozet area, even though it’s in Old Trail. You may be familiar with the original Anna’s in C’ville (which I haven’t been to) but it’s great to have a Crozet version nearby.

ed note: The phone number for Anna’s Pizza in Crozet is 823-1327. (434 area code for those of you not familiar with the area)

Update 22 October 2009: A second review of Anna’s Pizza in Crozet is coming next week.

Crozet Spirit Walk – October 23-24

Please join us Friday-Saturday, October 23-24 for the Crozet Spirit Walk. The Spirit Walk is a guided history tour of Crozet featuring 20 local actors and musicians that serves as a fundraiser for Field School. The tour ends at Old Crozet School, recently refurbished by Field School. Actors portray a variety of actual area historical figures from the 19th and 20th Centuries. Tickets ($5) are available at Mudhouse in Crozet.

Tours begin at 6:30 and depart every fifteen minutes through 8:30. Please park at Field School. For more information, please call Field School at 434-923-3435.

Update 23 October 2009: The Daily Progress has a nice story today on the Crozet Spirit Walk

Folk Festival in Crozet – 25 October 2009

From a reader:*

Crozet Baptist invites you to come hear great acoustic music Sunday, October 25. We are having our annual Fall Festival but this year besides Brunswick stew, cider pressing, and great kids activities we are adding a Folk Music Festival.

We are thrilled to bring a Virginia favorite, Robbie Schaefer (of Eddie from Ohio) to our part of town. He’ll bring two sets of music, the first at 4:30 featuring music from his children’s cd Songs for Kids Like Us, and then at 7:00 he’ll share his exceptional music and lyrics from his two cds In the Flesh and Strange and Lovely World.

But wait, there’s more, local faves Jan Smith and Scuffletown will also be performing – Scuffletown from 5:15 on our outdoor stage and Jan at 6:30 opening for Robbie. How much, you may ask, would one have to pay to have so much fun? Nada, zilcho, zero, come, be our guests! For directions check us out on the web: www.crozetchurch.org –street address, 5804 St. George Avenue, Crozet, Virginia 22932!

* Editor’s note: Thank you for the reader-submitted stories. We’ve had more reader-generated stories in the past month than we had in the first three years!

Brief Notes for 2009-10-18

  • Just saw, via the HooK, that Jamie Dwyer & Jamal Millner are playing at Fardowner's tonight. Sweet. #
  • RT @AnytimeFitnessC: http://bit.ly/1eNBLY Crozet Health & Wellness Fair, Sunday, Oct 18, 2 to 5 pm Crozet Baptist Church #
  • Trying out Anna's Pizza in Old Trail. Does this one have a # like the one in Charlottesville? #
  • Just noticed that the Subway is open in the Harris Teeter shopping center. Downtown Crozet better pick it up. #
  • Traffic cop at WAHS this morning must've been sleeping this morning. #
  • Nice that Google has the wrong phone number for the Crozet post office. #
  • Meeting about Crozet's growth tonight at 7pm at the Old Crozet School http://bit.ly/1SWopT Be informed or be quiet. #
  • RT @crozeteyecare: Come see us at the 1st Annual Crozet Health Fair – Oct 18th from 2-5 at Crozet Baptist Church and… http://bit.ly/izIwd #
  • Paid my Realtor dues today. Being a Realtor for less than $600/year – priceless. #
  • RT @ACACFitness: ACAC Crozet Grand Opening is set for 10/26. We'll be open to the public to try us out for free the day! http://bit.ly/GP5CC #
  • It's like a freaking library in the Crozet Mudhouse. Meeting clients & it's so quiet! #
  • RT @DailyProgress: RT @va_longhorn: accident at 250 240 split outside of crozet. lanes blocked. [bad accident?] #
  • RT @tdavidson: Cville, VA residents: how does/could/should Cville communities use online tools? http://bit.ly/GlcEg (thx @jimduncan) #

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