“We know that business closings gives the impression that Scottsville is losing business, but on the contrary, there is quite a lot of growth going on,” says Brian LaFontaine, president of the Scottsville Community Chamber of Commerce and owner of one retail store that closed in August.

After 10 years of serving the sports community from its location in Scottsville, LaFontaine’s creative endeavor, Sports ‘N More, is closing its doors. While he did enjoy his 13 years (in total) supplying uniforms and equipment via his online store and at his place in Scottsville, the multitasking business owner has decided it is time to narrow his focus to certain other responsibilities.

“We’re saddened we have to close the business,” he says. “Obtaining a new buyer wasn’t successful.” By closing Sports ‘N More, LaFontaine will have more time for Lehan Chemical, the primary business he has run for many years, “and my wife and I will continue to be very active in the community.”

Sports ‘N More is not the only storefront that will change this month. Pee Wee’s Pit Barbecue will no longer be serving individual meals from its dining room on Valley Street as of Sept. 27.

“We’re sorry to see them go,” LaFontaine says.

Pee Wee’s restaurant owner, Suzette Oyler, says that the town project to beautify Scottsville’s streets had affected her business. “It’s been hard since [the] streetscape. We haven’t fully recovered.”

It may take some time; however, she does intend to reopen. “We are looking at a future in Charlottesville.”

Oyler and her husband Robert started their barbecue business by providing pig roasts throughout the community, and since opening this store in Scottsville, “I’ve gotten to know a lot of people. I feel rooted in the community, which I’d never felt before having grown up as a military brat. I lived in Scottsville many years before opening the restaurant—and have now made a lot of really good friends, gotten amazing compliments. It keeps me really excited about doing it again somewhere else.”

In a town where business begets business, Oyler is grateful for having had the restaurant “for five great years. Scottsville, thank you for support and compliments,” she says. “The good news is I can still do the catering here.” So while the storefront of 485 Valley St. may not be filling small orders of barbecue from its hot bar, the on-site catering and large orders pick-up can continue.

She is sad over this loss, but Oyler has faith that things will work out for the best. “God is so good and he knows where my heart is with this business.”
As Pee Wee’s Pit Barbecue makes transitions at 485 Valley St., Sam Doggs will occupy the space left behind. Oyler is unsure what the expansion of the Sam Doggs menu will be; however, Nathan’s brand hot dogs are likely to be on the list.

Change is inevitable in any small town, and Scottsville’s chamber president is confident that the two business closings, though sad, will not hamper new business development. “We are working on the contract of the Hyosung plant and talking with folks on the establishment of another restaurant that can offer continental cuisine in Scottsville as we speak.”