Article appearing in September 9, 2010 issue

The Floyd Press

By Roger Mannon, Staff Writer


 


The Woodberry Inn is back in business. The getaway spot near the Blue Ridge Parkway in the southwestern end of Floyd County still has the off-the-beaten-path charm, with a 21st Century twist. Shepherd “Shep” and Angie Nance, both retired from a telecommunications business in North Carolina, bought the property in early March and after some renovations, reopened it in late April.

“We did a lot of work,” Shep said. “We redid all 16 rooms and the restaurant.”

Angie said “we’ve loved Floyd and have been looking to move this way for several years.”

The Inn had operated up through last fall’s “leaf season,” Angie noted. She said the restaurant and bar hadn’t been operated for several years.

“We were interested in just reopening the inn,” Shep commented. “We really didn’t want to take on the restaurant and bar.”

But since they did, things have worked out well. “In season we get a lot of Parkway traffic,” Shep said. “We also get a lot of locals out there, too.

“You can get everything here,” he added.

“You stay here and you don’t have to go somewhere else to get a meal and somewhere else to get a drink.”

Angie describes the Woodberry as “a country inn. Our restaurant features American cuisine. The Woodberry has a staff of 13,” she said.

Chef Shaun Sager is becoming known for delicious and unique dishes. “People like the shrimp and grits, the Cajun rainbow trout, and the eight-ounce beef tenderloin,” Shep said.

There’s also chow-chow sweet potato hash and “root fries” (beets, parsnips and carrots).

Heading into peak season, the Nance’s are expecting to stay busy. “After leaf season, we expect to get some hunters in the late fall,” Shep said.

They also expect to get some off-season church and corporate retreat customers. “We may have an off-season, but we hope they don’t,” Shep added.

The Woodberry is also available for wedding receptions and class and family reunions. Motorcycle groups, bikers and tandem bikers, and even skateboarders have visited.

Lloyd Blevins, Angie’s brother, has moved from Atlanta to help. He is director of tourism and operations and handles the Woodberry website.

“In the time we’ve been open, we’ve had people from eight nations come here,” Blevins said. “That includes the Netherlands, Ireland, the UK, Germany, Holland, and Denmark.”

Sarah Desper is bar manager: Woodberry is one of the two full-service bars in Floyd County.

Woodberry plans to add musical entertainment, featuring local groups. Shep said he would like to display works by local painters and artists as well.

Shep describes the current incarnation of the inn as “a Five Star experience with a One Star level of fussiness.”  In 2010, all the amenities are available.

“We now have cable TV for those that want to watch football, baseball, and golf, and wifi, for those who want to get away, but not completely,” Shep said. “It’s there is you want it, but really I would hope they don’t”