VINTON, Va. – The Town of Vinton is expanding with several new projects, including transforming the Gish Mill.
The Town of Vinton has been working on the Gish Mill project for almost a decade. According to Town Manager Richard Peters, it could open in 2026.
Crews are still working on construction, but when they are finished, there will be two restaurants and apartment-style Airbnbs.
There is no word yet on what restaurants will be at the Gish Mill.
Meanwhile, there is a new hotel in the works that will be located on the corner of Virginia and South Pollard.
The hotel, which could be open in 2026, will have about 90 rooms and is targeted at traveling professionals.
Peters said the hotel will also benefit the other businesses in Vinton because it is within walking distance of downtown.
“When you have a visitor at this property, they don’t have to get in their car and necessarily drive somewhere to get dinner or get breakfast, they can actually just walk down the street a couple of blocks and have access to a lot of amenities they would actually have to get in their car and access,” said Peters.
Peters also said the town will rebuild a few buildings that were destroyed by a fire a couple of years ago, including some places where people can live.
Vinton is renovating the War Memorial and building a park behind it too.
There are some new restaurants you can try as well.
One is called Panda Boba where you can get all the boba tea you want.
Owner Khanh Bui said when she first came here from Atlanta, she couldn’t find a place that sells boba tea nearby.
In fact, she said the closest one is in Blacksburg, so she opened one here in September.
“Everybody is really supportive. I was so glad that I picked Vinton because everybody here is very supportive [and] very helpful,” said Bui.
Another new restaurant in Vinton, but just outside the town, is called Absolutely Delicious.
They sell hotdogs, beef franks, salads, fries and much more.
Absolutely Delicious opened in December.
First responders receive a 20 percent discount.
“We’re not anything about fast food. We’re just we’re fresh made cooked to order and the way you want it so you know that’s something you can’t get at the fast food restaurants,” said Co-Owner Teresa Thacker.