New business for old building

Downtown Hayesville is about to get a new business with a target opening date of May 1. Valley River Brewery applied for a special use permit to open a restaurant in the building formerly occupied by Drake Industries and Fred’s Discount Store.

The Town of Hayesville Board of Adjustment approved the special use permit by unanimous vote at its Thursday evening meeting.

The location is beside the Truett Memorial First Baptist Church and across the street from the Hayesville First United Methodist Church, but neither religious group voiced any reservations at Thursday’s meeting.

Although a representative from the Baptist church had indicated someone from the church might appear at the meeting, Zoning Administrator George Schaaf had told them that the board’s deliberations would focus on the impact of a restaurant as a food service establishment only, since alcohol sales are regulated by the N.C. Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Commission in Raleigh.