Drink Up At The Blue Run Grocery, Stanardsville, Virginia

Driving west on US 33 going to the Shenandoah national Park, you probably would never notice an otherwise nondescript country store called Blue Run Grocery. It is on the right side of the road approximately 7 miles from Ruckersville. It is a bit shabby as these stores tend to be. Inside can be found a small selection of primarily canned groceries, along with basic automotive supplies, some fishing and hunting sundries, and a hodgepodge of miscellanea of another age that apparently just never sold. What sets this country store apart from all but one of similar establishments in the state of Virginia, is that you can actually drink beer on premises. 

It will come as no surprise that Virginia has some of the most arcane alcohol beverage control laws in the nation. Virginia's Alcoholic Beverage Control Board Administrative Code chapter 50 governing retail operations code is specific about what establishments can allow on premises alcohol consumption:

C. Beer. Retail on-premises or on-premises and off-premises licenses may be granted to persons operating the following types of establishments provided that food is regularly sold at substantially all hours that beer is offered for sale and the total monthly food sales for consumption in dining areas and other designated areas on the premises are not less than …….$2000

The conceit seems that the establishment must operate as a restaurant that also can serve alcohol.

So how are the Blue Run Grocery and Wayside Inn Grocery (Charles City) allowed to serve alcohol on premises.

I had heard about Blue Run’s unique status from a friend who, when in the area, makes it a habit to stop and quaff a beer just for the experience. So I went there this August to learn more.

Inside the claustrophobic grocery store section, I met the owner, Michael Garth. 

He is a rather laconic gentleman, but was not hesitant to discuss the history of the store. He notes the store was built in 1939 by his grandparents, Thomas and Magnolia Garth.

 It was named for the nearby creek or run as they are known in northern Virginia. His father added on to it when he took over the business. They’ve had an ABC license ever since it was open. As a result, the older original section had an ABC license allowing consumption of alcohol on premises that has never lapsed. However, you can only drink in the original premises. A few beer advertisements attached to the floor designate the line past which open spirits must not go. He only sells beer, no wine.

He remembers helping his grandmother work the store when he was very young. He recalls his grandmother wouldn’t let anybody drink before noon. He says that he has no such rule, but there are not too many people in here drinking before noon anyway.

He has several sons to help with the business, one of whom he thinks will take it over. He also owns a nearby farm. When asked how business was, he said it pays the bills.

He says he has never served food other than the available bagged snacks.

I inquired about the stock. He said it’s harder to keep it stocked now that the salesmen who used to come by no longer do. He thinks the last one came calling about eight years ago. Unsurprisingly, his biggest sales item is beer.

 He notes that the booths in the back are original. The walls are adorned with the trophies of animals and fish that he and his sons bagged, placed there for the amusement of the customers. He says that this is really a gathering place for local people to come in after work and weekends.

I wondered if perhaps he received undue attention from the ABC agents due to its unique status. He said no, once they showed up with an underage person trying to buy beer, but that was about it.

He said the original license has been grandfathered in. But ABC code is pretty specific about requiring food sales. I wondered how this could be. And in looking over the code I could find no reference to grandfathering.

I spoke with ABC special agent Joseph Cannon on 11/22/19. He doesn’t feel that the license renewal would be characterized as grandfathered, but continues under a provision in the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board Administrative Code chapter 50 governing retail operations

E. The board may grant a license to an establishment not meeting the qualifying figures in this section, provided the establishment otherwise is qualified under the applicable provisions of the Code of Virginia and this section, if it affirmatively appears that there is a substantial public demand for such an establishment and that the public convenience will be promoted by the issuance of the license.

He notes that this was a provision previously designed for more rural areas that might not have any other public facility to gather and drink.

So apparently, this unassuming little grocery store, described by its owner as a gathering place, qualifies.

ABC licenses can be tenuous.   Wayside Inn Grocery, the other store so licensed, just about lost its license back 2015 as it was alleged that they no longer qualified as a grocery store. Somehow they prevailed, and one can still imbibe on its premises. It is remarkable and admirable that Blue Run has been able to maintain its heritage continuously since 1939. Three generations of continuity and community, with hopefully a 4th generation in the wings.

Wick Hunt 

P.S. I drove by the other day on the way to the park, Michael was outside the store working on his pickup. Not sure how he is dealing with the pandemic. Will try to check in with him later.