This is Eileen’s, at the other end of Caroline St., where my husband and I frequently go for lunch after church.
Now the UUFF has been sold to Eileen’s, which will relocate to the 1838 building which they will update into a new and improved restaurant to be reopened in the spring. Our church (after a temporary stop in Spotsylvania during construction) will end up across the river in Chatham, tucked at the back of the Chatham Square Office Park, between the YMCA, Pratt Park, and Chatham Manor. And after church on Sunday mornings, we can have lunch and visit our old building at the same time. It’s like recycling for buildings.
6 comments:
Does this make sense? Why would they move down there and away from a) the visitors center and b) the future marriott? Besides the Library, it is fairly quiet there as well as being across from one of the worst parts of caroline st.
I remember seeing the for sale sign on the church while walking to the library and wondering what sort of business could possibly grace a former church. The building is so beautiful (on the outside, I've never been in. When I found out my favorite gathering place for catching up with friends, Eileen's, was moving there I thought it made perfect sense...another "sacred" (I'm using the word loosely of course--no need for offense) meeting place! I wish them nothing but success. And here's to smooth transition for the church memebers too. Glad it will all work out.
I think Eileen's was renting in their current location, so subject to rent increases at the landlord's whim. Now they will own their building and can invest in whatever improvements they want. As for location, they are still on Caroline St., very close to all of the commercial action, and I think their customers will have no problem walking in the other direction. And I agree completely, Jenna, with the idea that both church and restaurant are "sacred" gathering spaces. I'm pretty sure most UUs would agree! We are happy that if our building had to be sold, it would be to a business like Eileen's. The exterior architecture of the place is much more charming than the interior, but the ceiling is high and the space is bright, so I think they will do well there.
The building Eileen's is vacating will be turning into a new dining establishment shortly after the close. My brother-in-law owns Olde Virginia Catering in f'burg and will be opening a family-style restaraunt at this location. They haven't come up with a name yet, but something else to look forward to.
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By the way, I go to a Unitarian Universalist Church as well. All Souls in New York. Nice to hear there's a vibrant community in Fredericksburg!
I think Eileen's new location will help revitalize the library end of Caroline Street. Right now, library patrons are far from refreshment after their labor.
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