[Purple Haize]

Sunday was their last day, and even then they were out of my 2 favorites--the pickles and the onion tanglers. They still had ice cream then, but no cones.

My Texas wife bought a pound of their brisket for $11 and took it home, but it only lasted 2 days.

Looks like you'll have to crack the last can of Skyline...

[BJWilliams]

Looks like Dr Wheeler is going to have to get his BBQ fix elsewhere then...

[El Scorcho]

I never cared for Dickey's all that much. Especially their ribs.

Lynchburg needs a Smithfield's.

[jcmanson]

I love this new Quick Reply feature

[ALUmnus]

Off topic, but I saw on Craigslist that Eastern Gourmet in Wyndhurst is for sale. Too bad, they were the best Chinese takeout & hibachi place in town.

I blame Chipotle for all this mess!

[rogers3]

I never cared for Dickey's all that much. Especially their ribs.

Lynchburg needs a Smithfield's.

Maybe I'll play commercial real estate matchmaker and send some emails to other companies.
Smithfield's would probably have a bigger draw than Dickey's. Mellow Mushroom often expands into existing spaces...

[Purple Haize]

I never cared for Dickey's all that much. Especially their ribs.

Lynchburg needs a Smithfield's.

Maybe I'll play commercial real estate matchmaker and send some emails to other companies.
Smithfield's would probably have a bigger draw than Dickey's. Mellow Mushroom often expands into existing spaces...

You know a very notable person here on FF is a commercial real estate guy

[rogers3]

I never cared for Dickey's all that much. Especially their ribs.

Lynchburg needs a Smithfield's.

Maybe I'll play commercial real estate matchmaker and send some emails to other companies.
Smithfield's would probably have a bigger draw than Dickey's. Mellow Mushroom often expands into existing spaces...

You know a very notable person here on FF is a commercial real estate guy

Do you mean badger? He is the real commercial real estate guy!

[badger74]

I just spent a week back in L and noted the closed Dickey's. Went there a couple times and it was just OK. Famous Daves is better but needs a much larger expensive space too. I did not like the location much. But the right restaurant can work in marginal locations. I was up at the Wild Wings to watch football Saturday and it was packed. Friday night it seemed every restaurant near Wards Road was packed. So it was not a failure of people going out to eat. On paper that location also stinks but you go once and you know it is there--no problem. There's probably a good reason there are so few national BBQ chains. The food takes lots of work and it is not something most people want every day. Typically built-to-suit restaurants do not become other major chain locations as the buildout it too specific and it is expensive to rehab to your specs. Better to just build new exactly what you want. So I see a local restaurant coming in and giving the location a shot. Maybe something Asian as there is not really a decent spot in that area. Size is OK for sit down Asian food. Please no more mediocre Mexican or burgers. L has that covered well.
I also tried the new Thai place in town. It was Ok but cannot hold a candle to the place out in the country north of L. To me it was no contest and worth the drive.
Also noted that proposed new center near Billy Craft Honda with the new upscale food store has not broken ground yet. Any rumors on that? I went to their store in Roanoke and it was pretty nice. I am looking forward to it coming to town.

[Wilberforce91]

I must say that I was pretty disappointed to hear of Dickey's closing. It was a favorite on Mondays or Fridays when they had pulled-pork specials. I think the high prices and tough location are probably what did them in. I'm going to miss it though! As far as a replacement goes, I'd love to see a Zaxby's or Rasing Cane's move in there.

Regarding the Fresh Market on Lakeside, this article was in the latest Lynchburg Business Magazine: http://www.lynchburgbusinessmag.com/mag ... lynchburg/

[Sly Fox]

I always love hearing your insights, badger74. I almost tried a Famous Daves in Missoula over the weekend. Like you, I am reluctant to hit chains. Although I think a Rudys in Lynchburg would do gangbusters. But they have yt to expand east of the Mississippi.

And Wilberforce91, a Zaxbys or Canes would be fantastic.

[LUminary]

I like Fresh Market better than Whole Foods, buffet bar at Whole Foods notwithstanding. I also like wearing my LU hat into Whole Foods.

I know Zaxby's, but what is Canes? Never seen or been to one.

[flamehunter]

There is one in Charlottesville. Never been but my lovely bride has. She said it was expensive and not that great in her opinion.

[Purple Haize]

There is one in Charlottesville. Never been but my lovely bride has. She said it was expensive and not that great in her opinion.

She's right about expensive but wrong about taste. It's yummy. As is the special sauce. Of course, I'm not going to tell her she's wrong. Ha

[flamehunter]

There is one in Charlottesville. Never been but my lovely bride has. She said it was expensive and not that great in her opinion.

She's right about expensive but wrong about taste. It's yummy. As is the special sauce. Of course, I'm not going to tell her she's wrong. Ha

I never tell her she's wrong. Just that I choose to be wrong sometimes and disagree with her.

[LUminary]

So what is the place's specialty? Chicken? Not fast food, I assume?

[flamehunter]

Yes it is a chicken place.

[Sly Fox]

It is actually very similar to Zaxbys. While Georgia-based Zaxbys was exploding in the Southeast, Louisiana-based Raising Cane's It doing the same in the Southwest. I like both chains but the food is very comparable. Often Cane's is involved in local culture in the communities in which they operate.

[rogers3]

Also noted that proposed new center near Billy Craft Honda with the new upscale food store has not broken ground yet. Any rumors on that? I went to their store in Roanoke and it was pretty nice. I am looking forward to it coming to town.

Just got word from someone involved with the development that land clearing will begin in less than 4 weeks. There were title issues due to the type of land transfer, but these were not unexpected. Unless something crazy happens, you can shop The Fresh Market in Lynchburg by Sept 2013.

[Sly Fox]

I'd rather see a Trader Joe's. But it sounds like a step in the right direction.

[Flamesfanva]

I've been told that a Hobby Lobby will go in that area as well. Anyone else heard that? Sure would be nice to see development away from Wards Road. Liberty traffic alone can clog that road.

[badger74]

I also would love to see Trader Joe's in L. I heard they are coming to C'Ville so there could be hope. I would put them in the spot where Food Lion currently disgraces the Boonsboro Center. But they might prefer the 221 corridor near the new Krogers. I also could see Costco going out there. I went to checkout Sams Club and no comparison to Costco. I am lucky that my Costco is across the street from their HQs so it carries many higher end items not all Costcos carry. US Prime meats, great jewelry, and better clothing brands.
In Seattle TJ's is going to a larger store--about 30,000 SF versus 18-20K and it really improves the experience. Wider aisles, more checkout lanes, better selection in many areas. Also good point about spreading the retail around. Wards Road is close to maxxed out for many people and relatively far from the higher income areas of Boonsboro/Forest.

One thing I like about L is every trip back there is something better--constantly improving. I saw several more old downtown buildings undergoing rehab, new restaurants, LU expansion taking shape etc etc. Still a work in progress but the trends are good considering we still are in a slow economy.

Update

The developer for the Fresh Market shows completion next summer. Also does Whole Foods centers.

http://www.sjcollinsent.com/lakeside-crossing

[LUconn]

Here's an interesting find. I googled Dickey's to figure out what the address was on Wards Rd and I thought the Yelp result would give it to me. And it did. But upon reading a review, I came across this nugget of info posted after someone's review.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/dickeys-barbecue-pit-lynchburg

Comment from Lauren M. of Dickey's Barbecue Pit 11/19/2012

Thanks for your feedback Ian! Look for this location to reopen soon under new management!

I guess that explains why the Dickey's van is still sitting there.

[Sly Fox]

A Dickeys by my house opened about 5 years ago and lasted about 2 years (there are tons of legitimate options here in Texas). 2 or 3 different restaurants filled the vacancy until about 6 months ago when Dickeys returned to the exact same location. They also have been running advertising for several other locations they recently opened up. They must have changed their franchise agreements to make them more attractive all of sudden.

[Kolzilla41]

The problem is it's not very good BBQ and way overpriced. Pok E Joes is still the best option IMO in Lynchburg. I stopped at a place called Q out in BYD's area and it was phenomenal. I also am pretty biased with Red Hot and Blue, a Memphis joint that is found in NOVA, DC, and MD.