Busybodies in my old neighborhood of Fairview Heights in Fredericksburg are making a fuss about the Sunken Well Tavern – a restaurant started by three Mary Washington students about a year ago.
The problem? The restaurant is in the middle of the neighborhood (or practically so, along Littlepage and Hanover Streets an amongst a handful of small businesses in front of Marye’s Heights).
The solution? After the proprietors applied, sought, and obtained zoning, a handful of residents want the business’ hours restricted from 9am to 9pm.
The owners want to keep it open from 7am to midnight.
Now what most folks aren’t going to know is that the place used to be a bar when I was growing up. That’s right, a bar. No one tried to shut the place down then.
What we have here is a clear case of bad neighbors who need something to do with their time. I have recommendations:
(1) Go volunteer your time at Hope House, which is also in the neighborhood.
(2) Go volunteer your time at the local Montessori school right next to the sandwich shop. For lunch, you may very well patronize the establishment you thought caused so much trouble.
(3) Volunteer your time with the National Park Service giving tours. Recommend the restaurant nearby and support the local economy.
(4) The Salvation Army could always use your help. After a hard day’s work, stop by the Tavern for a nice meal and some wine.
(5) Stay home, keep to yourself.
If any of my former neighbors have a problem with any of the above, may I kindly remind you that the anger you feel is quite similar to that which you have invoked in your neighbors running the Sunken Road Tavern…
I think I might stop by and patronize the Sunken Well Tavern just to spite the busybodies. Sheesh.