Richmond developers continue to reshape downtown, advancing the process of turning Cape Charles into our northern cousin’s latest, trendy suburb.
Danny Meyer, owner, and president of Dallan Construction, recently purchased the historic Watsons Hardware store at 225 Mason Avenue. Watson’s closed and has been dormant for two years– the store served Cape Charles for over 50 years.
Mr. Meyer paid $600,000 for the property. The Cape Charles Distillery will be moving into the space once renovations are complete.
It’s the third property Meyer has purchased for redevelopment in Cape Charles–in 2018, he purchased the Parsons building at 209 Mason. Mr. Meyer added eight condos, and the retail space next to K-Coast. Meyer purchased the Harvey building in 2019, which is the location of the upscale restaurant Hook @ Harvey. There is also an apartment above the eatery that is rented on Vrbo.
Mr. Meyer’s firm Dallan Construction will be doing the renovation work. Other Richmond firms, 510 Architects (design), and Blue Nest Structural (structural engineering) will also be involved in the project.
Historical Note: Richmond’s incremental appropriation of Cape Charles began several years ago. With the Northern Neck squeezed, Richmodians, and other northerners, found a cheap, relatively unknown coastal weekend getaway spot primed for exploitation. Weekenders and vacation rentals soon devoured large chunks of the town. With blood in the water, developers were soon circling this tiny bayside village. The Hotel Cape Charles was one of the first big projects when, in 2013, developer David Gammino renovated the Mason Street structure. Also in 2013, the Old School was purchased by developers Edwin Gaskin, a former deputy director of economic development for the City of Richmond and owner of Echelon Resources, and Dave McCormack, head of Waukeshaw Development in Petersburg. What was once slotted as public space to be used by underserved communities was sold by the Town of Cape Charles for $10 and converted into an apartment complex. Scott’s Addition-based Buskey Cider opened a satellite taproom in Cape Charles in 2018.