Hello, Cardinal News readers. Welcome to our third edition of Cardinal Commerce Notes, a new regular feature highlighting a variety of recent business news items.
If you missed last week’s Cardinal Commerce Notes, go here to learn about a Roanoke investment firm buying a Wytheville machine shop, the Danville economic development department’s new digs, new paid internship resources and an update on a big industrial building project in Campbell County.
Our first edition brought you updates on a construction milestone in Franklin County, a growing artisans hub in Big Stone Gap and a new restaurant planned for Salem.
I’m always on the lookout for news tips, so please send them my way: matt@cardinalnews.org.
New restaurants slated for Lynchburg, Patrick County
We’ve got two restaurant openings on tap for this week’s Cardinal Commerce Notes.
The TR Boiler Room Steakhouse has opened at 106 Ninth St. in downtown Lynchburg.
The “TR” stands for “Traber Ranch,” and the restaurant touts its locally raised Wagyu steaks as the centerpiece of the dining experience.
In the Meadows of Dan community, Papa’s Country Cooking is set to open at 2588 Jeb Stuart Highway, offering “hearty, homemade comfort food,” according to its Facebook page.
That address is the site of the former Jane’s Country Cafe, which closed in December. Papa’s Country Cooking is an expansion of Stuart Family Restaurant, which took over that space.
Pluck’d plants first tomatoes
Now it’s time to ketchup on some tomato news.
Earlier this month, the greenhouse tomato grower Pluck’d celebrated its first full week in its new Carroll County location.
The company shared a time-lapse video of its first tomatoes being planted; check it out on LinkedIn.
Last year, the United Kingdom-based Oasthouse Ventures announced that it would invest more than $100 million to build Pluck’d, its first U.S. operation, creating 250 jobs.
Officials said at the time that the company hoped to grow more than 45 million pounds of tomatoes over three years and distribute them to major retailers.
I imagine the employees there are feeling vine and dandy about the progress they’ve made.
Bedford seeks comp plan feedback
Bedford’s planning officials are looking 20 years into the future as they figure out a roadmap for the town’s growth and development.
Now they’re ready to share the full draft of their plan with the public.
Bedford’s planning commission will hold a public meeting on Thursday to meet with residents about the town’s draft 2045 comprehensive plan.
It will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the town municipal building council room, 215 E. Main St. in Bedford.
“As we release the draft Comprehensive Plan, we are asking the community to help ensure it reflects Bedford’s shared vision for the future,” Mary Zirkle, the town’s director of planning and community development, said in a news release.
“The goals and strategies outlined in this plan will guide how the Town moves forward through 2045, and public input is essential to getting it right.”
The meeting will include a brief presentation outlining the plan’s major components, then time for discussion and feedback, according to the release.
Meeting materials will be available online at bedford2045.com. The meeting will be streamed live on YouTube at @townofbedford.
For more information, email Zirkle at mzirkle@bedfordva.gov or call 540-587-6006.
That’s a wrap for this week. Do you know of a new business expanding or relocating in your town? Excited about a restaurant opening up soon? Maybe you’ve got an update on a story we’ve reported before. Please send your tips and suggestions to matt@cardinalnews.org.