PEARISBURG, Va. (WDBJ) – After nearly two years of rebuilding and picking up the pieces, the official reopening for Friends and Family restaurant is nearing the finish line.
Opening in 1996, Friends and Family Restaurant in Pearisburg is a staple in the Giles community as a place to grab a bite to eat and hang out with friends.
In February of 2023, the local favorite caught fire, destroying the entire restaurant, taking precious memories from owner Becky Young with it.
“My mother had worked here up until her passing in 2013. She had given us a lot of stuff to put in here and we had a lot of things that she had gave us, and other customers and people, but everything was gone,” said Young.
Two years of hard work later, the restaurant is back and better than ever, with a more modern feel that customers can look forward to.
Becky’s daughter, Autumn Workman, says the name “Friends and Family” is an understatement for what the community means to them.
“We do feel like family. Just seeing a lot of those faces excited and wanting us to rebuild just pretty much gave us the motivation,” said Workman.
While the restaurant is at the finish line, there are still some things to do before new memories are made.
They are holding soft openings for staff to train and get comfortable with the new equipment and technology.
“I would say it’s surreal. The first day we did a soft opening and people were coming in, I couldn’t imagine this moment when that happened,” said Jeremy Workman.
Until an official reopening date is announced, you can keep track of the restaurant’s hours on their Facebook page here.
Copyright 2025 WDBJ. All rights reserved.