BIG LICK BREWING

The Roanoke Valley community is mourning the loss of Tabitha Thompson who died last week after being hit by a car while she was cycling.

For Golden Cactus Co-Owner Evan Graham, it was location, location, location. At the time when we first came in, there really was just no interest in the neighborhood, Chapman said. Then Habitat for Humanity moved out, the Lofts at West Station expanded significantly and things began to pick up. But he said the area really went wide open with the addition of Tucos and Big Lick Brewing. Big Lick Brewing moved from a modest storefront closer to Market Square to its new space as part of the West Station expansion.

ROANOKE, Va. On Friday night, many watched and waited to see how the reopening of local restaurants and breweries would go under Governor Northams Phase 1 plan to reopening the Commonwealth. Big Lick Brewing has the largest outdoor space in Roanoke and allowed 30% of its capacity, shy of Governor Northams mandate of 50% or less, which worked out to 75 people. Employees wore shirts with the restaurants logo on the front and the words Essential Forker on the back. The reopening of dine-in was for restaurants and breweries with outdoor space only. He hopes other restaurants which remain locked out are able to get by in this time too.