"Bodo’s knows nothing about ‘coming soon.’" That’s how Chaps’ owner Tony LaBua responded to us when we inquired this summer about his plans to renovate Chaps’ front façade. Of course, LaBua is referring to the now infamous sign (that, in fact, only said "Coming") indicating Bodo’s Bagel Bakery‘s pending expansion to the Corner, which remained for, like, eons before the Corner location finally opened.
 Farewell, familiar front: Chaps’ owner Tony LaBua plans to add a new service window to replace the coffee cart, as well as a telescoping, rolling bar that can extend under a new large canopy in good weather. |
Wow, you’re a bit of an exaggerator, aren’t you, LaBua? Well, that’s what we thought until he told us that he’s been planning on creating an open air seating area in front of his Downtown Mall restaurant since he first opened the place 22 years ago. O.K., Bodo’s got nothing on you. But then again, LaBua’s original dream is now becoming a reality rather quickly. Earlier this summer, the city’s Board of Architectural Review approved the majority of LaBua’s plans to renovate the front of his 1950s-style ice cream shop and diner, including by creating a sliding glass front door to completely open up the front of the restaurant in warm weather and by replacing the facade with stucco. Then, last Tuesday, the BAR approved the final piece of the puzzle—a large canopy that will extend over the new open seating area to create a ’50s beach bar kind of vibe.
You can just visualize the kind of hypnotic effect that opening up Chaps’ retro interior and atmosphere to the outside world will have on even the most cynical of Mall passers-by. Even the most hardened of hipster hearts will feel beckoned like beach blanket babes to Chaps’ classic teal furnishings, Coca-Cola paraphernalia and bee-bop tunes in the background.
But no worries about totally being stuck in a time warp. LaBua says the renovation will include lots of New Age features, such as a new service window (which will replace the coffee cart out front), a telescoping, rolling bar that can extend under the canopy in good weather and back inside the restaurant in bad, and speakers and screens inside the canopy for entertainment.
So now that Chaps has the city’s stamp of approval, just when might we expect to be slurping our Chaps’ ice cream in the sunshine? To that question, LaBua gives us another smirk. O.K., we know—Bodo’s knows nothing about coming soon.
Eat good
Now it’s the thyme, once again, to mention the latest way you can give back with your gut. Yes, it’s the Take Thyme for Women’s Health dinner on December 5 at Alumni Hall. A four-course dinner paired with local wines will be prepared by The Clifton Inn‘s Dean Maupin, Duner’s‘ Laura Walke, Maya‘s Christian Kelly, and Fred Bossardt of Simply Delicious Catering. Tickets are $90 and proceeds will support Women’s Health Virginia’s education, research and outreach programs. Thyme to put your money where your mouth is. For information and reservations, check out www.womenshealthvirginia.org or call 434-220-4500.
Quick bites
And finally, some sad news. Andreas Gaynor, who has been spending his days at Kiki, serving up healthy lunch fare and juices for all the yogis and yogi-posers, is leaving our little nest for sunnier skies—like, really sunny skies. California, in fact. Andreas, we asked, what does Cali have that the ol’ Charlottesville doesn’t (besides more traffic, more pollution and more plastic body parts)? Andreas tells us he’s heading out to Newport Beach to work with a former football teammate at UVA coaching lacrosse to kids ages 7 and up. O.K., so better weather and working with kids—we guess that seems worthwhile, but what about us? Gaynor tells us not to worry—Kiki owner Jeannie Brown has found a replacement to continue serving lunch out of the sleek Fifth Street SE alley space.
Got some restaurant scoop? Send tips to restaurantarama@c-ville.com or call 817-2749, Ext. 48.