'Teapot Museum' planned downtown

A 'teapot museum' is the focus of an economic development effort at the former Smithey's Building on Main Street in Sparta.

The Alleghany County Economic Development Corp., a group of local business and community leaders working under the authority of town and county government, is spearheading the effort.

The option agreement was finalized about two weeks ago, said Town Manager Tom Douglas, who helped with the deal.

The ACEDC paid $15,000 for a one year option on the property. The option is currently non-renewable, Douglas said. The agreed purchase price, if the building is bought within one year, would be $220,000 - less the $15,000 that was paid as an option, leaving $205,000 due. The building is owned by First Citizen's Bank, which foreclosed on a loan made to Mike Atwood, the former proprietor of Blue Ridge Plaza.

Commissioner Patrick Woodie, who is also involved in the ACEDC, is interim executive director Blue Ridge Business Development Center and director of New River Community Partners, is also working on the project. He said it all began when Phil Haynes, a well-known philanthropist and champion of the arts who has a home in Roaring Gap, contacted him in early April. Haynes, who also owns a farm on New River at Cox's Chapel is described by Woodie as a longtime contributor to the community.

Get the rest of this article in this week's issue of the Alleghany News! Back