Cracker Barrel Backs Out of Albemarle County Proposal

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Updated: 7:34 PM Feb 24, 2012 Cracker Barrel Backs Out of Albemarle County Proposal Plans to build a Cracker Barrel in Albemarle County have fallen through. The developer tells CBS19 the popular restaurant chain pulled out because they didn't want to build in a college town. Posted: 4:24 PM Feb 24, 2012 Email Address: news@newsplex.com

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February 24, 2012

CBS19 has learned that plans to build a Cracker Barrel in Albemarle County have fallen through.

We reported last September that the popular chain known for its southern-style cooking submitted plans to build a restaurant on Fifth Street Extended near the intersection with Interstate 64 and the Holiday Inn.

However, the developer of the land tells CBS19 Cracker Barrel has pulled out of the deal, saying they didn't want to build in a college town. The developer hopes to build another restaurant or gas station on the lot instead.

This isn't the first time plans for a Cracker Barrel failed. The county Architectural Review Board received a similar request from a developer in 2003. After making recommendations for improvements, the board never heard back.

Upon seeing CBS19's story, Cracker Barrel released the following statement:

"There are many successful Cracker Barrel locations in college towns across the country, including State College, Pa., Bloomington, Ind., Madison, Wis., Knoxville, Tenn., Lexington, Ky., and others.

I cannot give you a specific reason why Cracker Barrel is not building on the site in Charlottesville because our development decisions are based on many factors. Some of those factors include pricing, site visibility, access to and from a site, and proximity to existing locations. This decision does not mean that we will never come to Charlottesville, it means that at this time we decided not to proceed."

Latest Comments

Posted by: Jason on Feb 28, 2012 at 09:59 AM

Olive Garden will never happen in Charlottesville. They have been here, twice, scouting locations. They have been been scared off both times by concerns with the Architectural Review Board.

Posted by: Cruz on Feb 27, 2012 at 04:14 PM

You sound like one of our under educated transplants that have never served anything but yourself! You see yourself as so much better than anyone else. Typical Cville liberal, you truly belong in Cville. Your local thug gang woul never hang out in front of CB, they are waiting on the mall for easy targets like you! God Bless your ignorant soul!

Posted by: The Dude Location: Greene County on Feb 27, 2012 at 01:43 PM

I can think of of least three wonderful locations on Route 29 in/around Ruckersville. Would love to have CB come to town. However, I know they prefer to be known as a "safe" place to eat for Interstate travelers.

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