Editors’ Note: This story was originally published in the Rockbridge Report on Oct. 3. Alejandra Pacheco contributed reporting to this story.
Scottie Hayslett opened BeameupBBQ in a trailer after quitting his construction job in the 2008 recession. A self-proclaimed “barbecue guy my whole life,” Hayslett converted the roadside barbecue joint into a restaurant on Lime Kiln Road.
Last summer, he decided to close it after 14 years. He merged it with Sunrise Diner, his other restaurant, at the beginning of the year. Now, Sunrise BBQ serves breakfast, brunch and barbecue in the Rockbridge Square shopping center on East Nelson Street.
The move made sense for Hayslett because he owned the Sunrise Diner space, but not the original barbecue location, he said.
“Once I got Sunrise open and saw the space and saw the amount of business that it would generate, I just decided to close Beameup,” he said.
Sunrise BBQ was one of several local businesses to open or expand this year. In addition, more national chains popped up in Lexington and Rockbridge County, reflecting increased traffic to the area from college events and the nearby interstates.
In a little more than a year, Chick-fil-A, Dunkin’, Starbucks and Jersey Mike’s Subs all opened locations in Lexington.
“The presence of Interstates 81 [and] 64, the Virginia Horse Center, and the universities” all influence the arrival of more companies, said Chris Slaydon, the county’s director of community development.
The Rockbridge Square shopping center got a second new restaurant this summer: Taqueria Jalisco. Estefania Santillan, the restaurant’s manager, said it has been successful since it opened in June.
Tru by Hilton, a new hotel next to Chick-fil-A, opened last month.
Hilton already had a Hampton Inn in Lexington, but the Tru’s general manager Michelle Fiorvante said there was a greater need for lodging.
“It was definitely needed in the area. There’s a lot of business here between the colleges and the horse center. There’s just many events going on,” she said.
And there is more lodging on the horizon. A Residence Inn by Marriott is under construction on Rocklawn Lane behind Pizza Hut. Marriott did not respond to phone calls or emails for comment.
Allen Duncan, owner of Duncan Properties & Construction, Inc., said he estimated that construction will be finished by early next summer. Officials at the Rockbridge County Office of Economic Development said it’s unclear when the hotel will open.
Two new convenience stores are also planned for the area. The county has approved the zoning for a Circle K on North Lee Highway and the site plans for a Wawa on East Midland Trail.
Some businesses, such as Seasons’ Yield, are moving because they need more space. The cafe plans to move out of Haywood’s and into a building on Main Street along with Rockbridge Barbell in early 2025, said Daniel Shear, the owner of Seasons’ Yield.
But some businesses have closed. Lizzie’s of Lexington closed its doors in June after almost five years in business. A new grandmother, owner Liz Murphy retired to spend more time with family. The space on West Washington Street is now for rent.
