BLACKSBURG, Va. Virginias Phase One reopening came at a very fortuitous time for Blacksburgs restaurants. Eateries celebrated both the return of dine-in patio service and Virginia Techs graduation on Friday. We just werent sure when we would be open again, said Grayson Lucas, the general manager of downtown Blacksburg restaurant The Cellar. Were just excited.Both The Cellar and its neighboring restaurant, Sharkeys, had capacity crowds on their patios for lunch on Friday. He believes the restored option to dine outside gives restaurants a new sense of purpose.

On Tuesday, Sharkey’s dropped off dozens of lunches to the Food Lion in Blacksburg on North Main Street as part of our Food for Frontline initiative. Sitting in the Food Lion break room, Haylee Hess took a few minutes to enjoy the lunch delivered to her and dozens of her coworkers. “It's definitely been some tiring days, some long hours, some long weeks. We feel like things are somewhat stabilizing now as far as what the new norm is becoming,” said Jason Kinzer, Food Lion Store Manager. It was really good,” said Hess.