Turns out that Roanoke’s new outdoors outfitter – Roanoke Mountain Adventures – will not be moving into the refurbished Wasena Station after all. The long-shuttered former train station and one-time home to the Virginia Museum of Transportation – closed since the Flood of 1985 – is being renovated by building owner John Anstey, also a principal at the Anstey Hodge creative firm.
The Green Goat restaurant, owned by the same people who run On the Rise bakery and the Wildflour at Towers Mall, should be opened at Wasena Station by June, according to Anstey.
The opening for Wasena Station was pushed back due to construction issues and Roanoke Mountain Adventures, (kayak/canoe rentals, bike rentals, guided outdoor adventures etc.) didn’t want to miss a large part of the outdoor outfitting season which generally gets underway as temperatures warm. Accordingly, the company debuted at the nearby River House building in April.
That was to have been its temporary home but now Anstey said Roanoke Mountain Adventures has decided to stay put in the same complex that also includes the River Rock climbing wall and the Tap House restaurant / saloon. “Half of the building is still available if anyone is interested in leasing it,” Anstey said recently, “I’m opened to anything.” Anstey said the current zoning allows for a variety of possibilities, like an office space, a retail establishment or a coffee shop.
There’s about 1500 square feet available at Wasena Station and the building interior has been completely renovated at this point, according to Anstey. “It will be a really amazing space when we’re done …these things do happen with development and I wish Roanoke Mountain Adventures well,” said Anstey. He expects the Green Goat – named after a contraption used in rail yards to move trains around – to be opened by the end of June.
By Gene Marrano
