Altavista, VA: New Destination Charging location opening soon

[swengl]

Hello everyone,

I have been working with a business owner in Altavista, VA (about halfway between Lynchburg and Danville on Route 29) to establish a destination charging spot in the area and he is about to have 3 Tesla chargers and a universal charger installed at his business. The business is a converted convenience store that has 12+ taps of good craft beer and a delicious deli menu for lunch / dinner. The business owner is also the town mayor and has installed a solar array on storage buildings that currently provides more than 80% of the electricity that the store uses.

I wanted to let everyone know as we are trying to put together a little media event and the more owner participation, the better! He has the 3 Tesla chargers in boxes and is waiting for the universal charger to arrive before scheduling the electrical contractor to come out to do the install. I anticipate that the installation will be complete in the next few weeks and the media event will be scheduled soon afterwards.

What I would like to do is have the event around lunchtime on a Saturday, speak to the press a bit, grab a bite and if anyone wants to hang out, go back to Lynchburg for dinner. The Craddock Terry Hotel in downtown Lynchburg is a nice boutique hotel within easy walking distance of some of the best restaurants in town. I live in Lynchburg and would love to show anyone staying there around the downtown area.

As I find out more information about the timing, I will keep everyone up to date.

Thanks!

Steve

 

[swengl]

I stopped by yesterday and he has the 3 high power wall chargers (HPWCs) in boxes and is waiting for the "universal" charger to ship before scheduling the electrical contractor to come out to do the install. I would anticipate that it is only a matter of a few weeks now.

 

[Plug Me In]

Hi Steve,

Long time no talk! First time I've checked in here in months. Keep me posted, text might be best, and I'll go if I'm not working. BTW, my wife saw your car over at Randolph recently.

H

 

[swengl]

Hi Steve,

Long time no talk! First time I've checked in here in months. Keep me posted, text might be best, and I'll go if I'm not working. BTW, my wife saw your car over at Randolph recently.

H

Will do! Hopefully, it will be soon, I will let you know! I was probably over at RP

 

[swengl]

I went by E&S on Friday and they have started placing the chargers. It was dark when I arrived, so no pictures unfortunately. The owner anticipates that the electrical work will be performed in the next few weeks, so the opening date should follow soon after that.

 

[CHGolferJim]

That's cool, I called E&S before driving up to Peaks of Otter last weekend, as they are now on Plugshare (as you probably know). Very nice lady. Will be a convenient lunch stop en route to Charlottesville SpC and Winchester relatives.

 

[swengl]

I plan to stop by E&S Saturday with a camera to take some pictures of the progress made so far. Hopefully, the chargers will be ready for operation in the next week or so.

 

[swengl]

Here are today's pictures from E&S.View media item 116675View media item 116674View media item 116673View media item 116672

 

[swengl]

Another quick update: The charging units have been physically placed. It shouldn't be long now!View media item 116697View media item 116696

 

[EVJunkie]

Thanks for the coverage! Please post when a ribbon cutting will be.

 

[swengl]

As soon as I know, I'll post. I would expect in the next few weeks.

 

[tfloyd]

As soon as I know, I'll post. I would expect in the next few weeks.

Thanks. I would use this in my travels to Altavista. I would like to see destination chargers in Lynchburg. I live near Blacksburg but commute to Lynchburg for work.

 

[swengl]

Thanks. I would use this in my travels to Altavista. I would like to see destination chargers in Lynchburg. I live near Blacksburg but commute to Lynchburg for work.

That's quite a commute! I'd love to see a set of destination chargers somewhere near the Target in Lynchburg at the crossroads of 29 and 460. I might start reaching out to business owners in that area to gauge interest.

 

[tfloyd]

That's quite a commute! I'd love to see a set of destination chargers somewhere near the Target in Lynchburg at the crossroads of 29 and 460. I might start reaching out to business owners in that area to gauge interest.

That would be a perfect location. There are plenty of shopping options in that area. Reaching out to a local business may be more successful than a national company. I would support this as well. There are very few charging options in the Lynchburg /Forest area. I would like to a see a DC fast charger put in somewhere near here but a destination charger is probably more likely.

 

[tfloyd]

That's quite a commute! I'd love to see a set of destination chargers somewhere near the Target in Lynchburg at the crossroads of 29 and 460. I might start reaching out to business owners in that area to gauge interest.

Is E&S still run by the Mattox family? I think that was there last name. ?

 

[swengl]

That would be a perfect location. There are plenty of shopping options in that area. Reaching out to a local business may be more successful than a national company. I would support this as well. There are very few charging options in the Lynchburg /Forest area. I would like to a see a DC fast charger put in somewhere near here but a destination charger is probably more likely.

My thoughts exactly. After all, Lynchburg didn't want to be on an interstate and Tesla is (rightfully) focusing on interstates first. A set of destination chargers there would help.

 

[swengl]

Is E&S still run by the Mattox family? I think that was there last name. ?

Yes! Mike and family are still running the place. They've transformed it into a tap house and grill (and the beer and food are excellent!). They are even open on Sundays now, as well.

 

[swengl]

I stopped by today to check on the status and they are in the process of tying the chargers into the breakers for power, so hopefully we will be live sometime this week. If I don't hear anything, I'll stop by on Easter to check on the progress and will give another report.

 

[tfloyd]

Thanks for the update. I stopped by on Sunday but they just closed up and I couldn't talk to anyone. It does look like the install is almost complete.

 

[EVJunkie]

These should be operational the next time someone stops by!