Thursday, September 12, 2013

Parksley Gets Fire Fighter/Police Officer Themed Restaurant

The Station Family Restaurant, in the old Lunch Box, is dedicated to first responders
The Station
18572 Cassett Ave., Parksley, Va. 
Phone 757-665-5195. 
Hours will be 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
(subject to change)
plans to begin serving breakfast and offer delivery 

Written by
Carol Vaughn

PARKSLEY — A new firefighter- and police-themed restaurant is opening in a well-known spot in Parksley.

The Station is located at the former the Lunch Box restaurant, a Parksley institution for 44 years until it closed in 2008.

“It seems like we’re bringing back a historic part of the Eastern Shore,” said Shannon Lewis, one of the owners.

The inspiration for the family-owned eatery sprang in part from the five-month arson spree in Accomack County that ended with the arrests of a Hopeton couple in April.

Lewis’ sister, Jessica Fitchett, who managed Pan Pizzeria in Onley for four years, often kept the restaurant open late to accommodate firefighters returning from arson calls, including her sister and brother, both members of Tasley Volunteer Fire Co.

“Our sister has always been a fan of me and my brother,” said Lewis, who is a volunteer firefighter and company secretary.

Fitchett’s concern heightened as the arsons, which began in November 2012, continued almost nightly for months.

“It got where she would cry every day when the arson spree was going on. She was worried about our safety,” Lewis said.

Fitchett fired up the pizzeria’s grill long after closing time many nights to feed hungry, weary firefighters returning from putting out another intentionally set blaze.

The owners want The Station to continue that spirit of support.

“We feel like this is going to be a special place where they can all gather and really feel like home,” said Lewis.

The family has firefighting in its blood — in addition to Lewis and her brother Richard Bridges, lieutenant of Tasley Volunteer Fire Co., many other family members were or are firefighters.

Lewis tallied the list: their grandfather was a firefighter in the Navy; their cousin, Bo Mason, who designed and painted the restaurant sign out front, is assistant chief at Onley Volunteer Fire and Rescue; another cousin is a member of Melfa Volunteer Fire and Rescue Co.; and their mother, Jodi Bridges, is a support member of Tasley, among other relatives who follow the tradition.


No comments: