GATE CITY – A Gate City restaurant has gotten a $10,000 boost toward a spring opening.
The Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority announced Wednesday the award of a Seed Capital Matching Grant to Franco’s Gate City Bistro, LLC at 114 W. Jackson St.
“Franco’s Bistro offers not only a new restaurant in the Gate City area but also the opportunity to visit several other businesses in the building including an antiques store and a hobby shop featuring digital slot car racing,” said Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA executive director/general counsel.
The business projects three full-time employees and 10 part-time employees with the opening, Belcher said.
The building sat vacant for the past 20 years with the space last used as part of Chris’s Mercantile. Initially it was the long-time home of P.H. Nickels Department Store. When Wynne bought it, he first developed an antique consignment store, Antique Alley; and then the hobby shop which saw its first sale shortly before Christmas. A bookstore is also part of the property and a second floor area will be used as retail space to sell designer clothing at outlet prices and is expected to open this spring.
“That’s how you restore a town,” Wynne said. “Somebody has to take the first step and I’m proud to have done that with the purchase of and the renovations being made to the building.”
“It is fantastic that a new multi-business made a significant investment in Gate City utilizing an existing building,” said Scott County Economic Development Authority Director John Kilgore,
“While working with the owner, we witnessed his passion for exceptional food, community engagement and genuine hospitality,” said Becki O’Quinn-Purdie, director of Mountain Empire Community College’s Small Business Development Center. “We are proud to have played a role in their journey and look forward to celebrating the grand opening of this exciting new restaurant.”
Information:
Phone: (772) 634-1031
Facebook: The Wynne Bldg Antique Alley.