Here at Restaurantarama, we often find ourselves writing about new restaurants that are, shall we say, entering our community from the outside world—chains like the Melting Pot, which appeared in this space last week. (Alongside a potentially misleading caption, by the way. The Pot’s ABC license is, in fact, in place; we apologize for any confusion.) And from time to time we report on local favorites sadly gone by the wayside. But it’s unusual—and as satisfying as a 3pm omelet—to bring you news of a soon-to-open restaurant that’s both totally homegrown and a beloved standby of the Charlottesville scene. So sharpen up your milkshake cravings! The Blue Moon Diner is reopening!
Yes, you read that correctly. The Blue Moon, which has been a W. Main Street landmark since it originally opened as The Waffle Shop in 1949, will be resurrected in the first week of October after a two-year hiatus, during which owners Mark Hahn and Rob Gustafson focused on the catering arm of their business, Harvest Moon Catering. (The two were also managing local bluegrass royalty the Hackensaw Boys, and Hahn says they’d become overworked before the diner closed.) Now the pair have joined forces with Laura Galgano and Rice Hall, who will steward the diner in its next incarnation while Hahn and Gustafson keep working the catering angle.
The lunar quartet are feeling the love, both for each other—”They’re fantastic people,” says Hahn of Galgano and Hall—and for the good ol’ Moon, a funky and affordable oasis which, as Galgano puts it, “always welcomed everyone.”
And they’re looking to balance menu and building updates with an affectionate respect for the Moon’s historically no-frills spirit. For example, Galgano says, they’ll still serve “eggs all day, but organic local eggs. Without making it too fancy, we’ll try to explore how good of a diner you can have. I can guarantee we will have one of the best French fries in town.” Hahn says he’ll consider the changes successful “as long as the old-schoolers don’t feel like the place is too clean.”
Nostalgia for rough edges aside, look for a new counter, a spruced-up facade and bathrooms and a more efficient operation generally. Galgano and Hall once worked front and back of house, respectively, at Bizou, and have opened another restaurant and two gourmet food stores during their careers. Plus, they’ll have the Moon’s longtime owners for backup. “I can’t wait to get on the grill,” says Hahn.
Similarly, we’re betting a lot of customers who have been suffering for two years with Blue Moon withdrawal can’t wait to get on the stools. (None of which, unlike in the old days, will be missing.)
Rehooking The Nook
This is a great week for restaurants of the “local institution” variety. Though The Nook, which has been for sale for nearly four months, has closed its Downtown doors, the shutdown is temporary—rest easy, Nook lovers, the place has indeed found its new stewards. Broker Stu Rifkin, along with four partners, will buy it from current owner Terry Shotwell, and they’ll reopen September 6.
“I just want to see The Nook stay The Nook,” says Rifkin of the 54-year-old standby, “but it needs a little updating.” The partners will restore a lunch counter that once graced the space and was later removed; and, unlike in the past, The Nook will now serve dinner. Also, says Rifkin: “You’ll finally be able to get a bloody Mary with your Sunday brunch.”
Retooling
And finally, this from the rumor mill: We have it from several sources that ubiquitous developer Coran Capshaw will buy the Hardware Store on the Downtown Mall, pickles and all. Stay tuned for more.