SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE, Va. – A new entertainment destination is in the works at the former Sunken City Brewery in the Westlake area of Smith Mountain Lake.
Jeanna and Christopher Williams are developing The Black Angus Company, a Nashville-inspired concept planned for the Brewery Drive property in Hardy.
The couple says the idea came after a trip to Nashville for CMA Fest, where they experienced a business that combined food, drinks, shopping and live entertainment.
“We wanted to duplicate that and bring that here to the community,” Jeanna Williams said.
The planned development will include four main components: a full-service restaurant and bar, a billiards lounge, a western-themed retail boutique and space for local music and events.
The Williamses say the Nashville experience showed them how an entertainment destination could keep people around for more than just a meal.
“We ended up staying in there two and a half to three hours,” Christopher Williams said. “So when we finally walked out, we walked in with no bags. We walked out with bags.”
Jeanna Williams said that experience sparked the idea of bringing something similar to Smith Mountain Lake.
“A really good mixture of the retail, the shopping experience, enjoying food, enjoying drinks and the staff just coming up and waiting on you and offering you, making you feel like you’re the greatest thing in their facility.”
Owners want year-round activity
The Williamses say the project is intended to serve both residents and visitors, with an emphasis on creating another destination during the lake’s offseason.
Many Smith Mountain Lake businesses are seasonal, and the couple says they want The Black Angus Company to provide entertainment and activities throughout the year.
“We wanted to bring that opportunity for that year-round exposure as well as the tourism to the residents down here in the community,” Jeanna Williams said.
Holly Frye, who lives at Smith Mountain Lake, said she believes the project could attract people from outside the immediate Westlake area.
“I think it’ll be a draw for sure from not just the people that live right here in the West Lake area but from further away.”
Farm-to-table focus
The restaurant is also planned to have a local farm-to-table component.
The Williams family says it is partnering with Circle J Ranch and other local farmers. Jeanna Williams said the goal is to create connections with local producers while also giving local makers a place to showcase their products.
“We want to feature those in the retail area as well so that we can have that partnership to grow, support our locals here.”
The owners say Circle J Ranch is part of the family connection behind the Black Angus concept, while they are also working with Wright Brothers Beef as they develop the farm-to-table operation.
Part of Westlake’s continued growth
Franklin County Economic Development Director Danielle Poe said Westlake continues to see investment, particularly as new housing brings additional residents to the area.
“Westlake continues to be an area of significant investment and opportunity in Franklin County,” Poe said. “We are seeing positive momentum, particularly with new housing development, that is bringing additional residents to the area and creating opportunities for complementary commercial investment.”
Poe said the Black Angus Company is still in its early stages but could contribute to the continued development of Westlake.
Frye said she is also excited to see the former brewery building put to use again.
“It’s really good to have something going on in that building that we’re excited.”
When will The Black Angus Company open?
The owners are targeting Memorial Day weekend 2027 for the project’s opening.
They say the development will continue to incorporate local businesses, farmers, vendors and artists as they work toward that target.
For more information about the development, visit JCPA Properties. The company is also accepting questions and feedback through its social media pages.
Related: The former Sunken City Brewery property is located at 40 Brewery Drive in Hardy.
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Dining and Cooking