Remembering Sandy McAdams
Sandy McAdams, founder of C&O Restaurant and Daedalus Bookshop, died December 21 due to complications from multiple sclerosis. He was 82.
When McAdams arrived in Charlottesville in 1974 with 20,000 books in a railroad car, he found a permanent home for his collection on the corner of Market and Fourth streets. Many locals recognize McAdams as one of the Downtown Mall’s founding fathers, thanks to his vision for revitalizing Main Street.
From the bookstore to a brief stint running an alternative newspaper in the ’70s to his time on the Live Arts theater board in the ’90s, McAdams made his mark on Charlottesville’s arts and culture scene.
In a 2015 C-VILLE article on the creation of Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall scene, C&O Restaurant co-owner Philip Stafford recalled meeting McAdams at Daedalus: “I can picture this pretty well to this day—this sort of eccentric-looking guy walked up to me with a beard down to his waist, and sort of put his face up to me and said ‘What do you want?’ I said ‘I’m looking for this book The Art of Seeing by Aldous Huxley,’ and he said ‘It’s right over your shoulder.’”
McAdams and Stafford eventually sold the C&O in 1984, but the French restaurant has retained its place as one of Charlottesville’s most popular fine dining spots. Daedalus also remains a testament to McAdams’ impact on downtown Charlottesville, and will continue operating under Jackson Landers, who purchased the bookstore in late 2023. After McAdams’ passing, the store shared images of him working in his favorite place over the years—flipping through a book in one photo, deep in thought in another.
“Sandy always gifted a book to my children, without fail, every time we were in the shop,” one person commented on the post. “It was a treat to know him.”
McAdams is survived by his wife, Donna, two daughters, and two granddaughters. Instead of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to Live Arts.
Spending time
In a belated Christmas gift, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced December 26 that eight Charlottesville-area events and festivals would receive more than $70,000 in grants. Over $800,000 in funds statewide, and roughly $4.8 million in matching public-private donations, were awarded as part of the Virginia Tourism Corporation’s special events and festivals sponsorship program.
Among those receiving funds are the Tom Tom Festival, Foxfield Spring Races, Crozet Arts & Crafts Festival, IX Art Foundation’s Fae Festival, and Winter Wander at the Boar’s Head Resort. The program is part of a larger effort to increase overnight tourism and visitor spending in the commonwealth.
“This year’s grant recipients have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to growing their event footprint, increasing visitation, and enhancing the visitor experience in 2025,” said Youngkin in a press release announcing the grants. “By leveraging these funds, we aim to attract even more visitors, showcase the unique charm of our communities, and reinforce Virginia’s reputation as a premier destination for memorable events and festivals.”
Visitor spending in Charlottesville and Albemarle County for 2023 totaled just under $1 billion, an increase of almost 6 percent compared to 2022.
Lace up
After the Main Street Arena closed in 2018, ice hockey and skating fans wondered when central Virginia would get another ice rink. This winter, Charlottesville-based Project Phoenix announced plans to request a permit for an indoor rink in Ruckersville. Its grand opening is years in the future, but the team has already acquired land off 29 North and hopes to see zoning approved.
Shelter loading
Plans surrounding a low-barrier shelter in Fifeville are still up in the air, City Manager Sam Sanders confirmed at City Council’s final meeting of the year. The proposal to convert Cherry Avenue’s Salvation Army store elicited pushback from some residents who suggested the shelter should instead open on Ridge Street. Sanders will take questions at a January 9 neighborhood meeting.
Suit and tied
Eljo’s Traditional Clothes, a menswear store founded by two UVA students in 1950 and currently owned by Myles Thurston, will soon change hands. While Thurston has not yet announced who purchased the business, ownership will officially switch over February 15. In the meantime, shoppers in search of a discount can enjoy up to 50 percent off Eljo’s inventory.