A century-old former farm feed store in Scottsville is undergoing a million dollar makeover to become a restaurant, bar, and banquet hall.
Husband and wife Jeff and Michelle Sprouse, from Crozet, plan to open Tavern on the James in the old Dorrier Building in the next two to three weeks.
They spent six months gutting the 1912 brick building and another six months restoring the space on Valley Street.
"Hopefully, it will be the focal point for the town," Jeff Sprouse said. "You come down Route 6 there, and it's the first building you see."
Sprouse's crews dug out the building's inside all the way down to the dirt. They reclaimed wood from the floor joists to make the paneling, bar, and doors and uncovered the original tin ceilings.
Of the work, Michelle Sprouse said, "A lot of sweat, not many tears in here, but a lot of hard work from a lot of people."
A sports bar and restaurant will fill the first floor of the building. A banquet space will be able to seat up to 100 people upstairs. Michelle and the Tavern's chef are developing a menu incorporating local beer and wine.
The Sprouses hope to create a place where Scottsville neighbors and James River visitors meet to have a good time.
"We want people to be comfortable if they're coming in here a little wet, a little dirty," said Michelle. "If you're coming in for dinner and want to dress up, we want to have that also."
The owners say they've invested more than a million dollars into the project and promise to stick it out to make The Tavern a successful venture in Scottsville.
"I just have a good feel," Jeff said. "There are people here who want to spend money, but we have to give them a reason to stay here. We want to create a reason to stay in Scottsville."
The Tavern will employ about 60 people and is still hiring.
