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Charlotte Court House residents will soon have two new businesses to shop at. During their Wednesday, Aug. 14 meeting, Charlotte County supervisors signed off on both projects, which had previously received unanimous endorsement from the planning commission. 

Setting up shop in Charlotte Court House

The first business will be a retail store run by Tobias Hertzler, located at 439 Vincent Store Road in Charlotte Court House. During the June planning commission meeting, residents spoke in favor, saying this new venture would help the Amish community, reducing their need to travel longer distances to get certain supplies. And given what happened earlier this summer in Cumberland County, where an F250 pickup truck hit the back of an Amish buggy, that is an ongoing concern, community members said. 

That incident in Cumberland resulted in the death of one child who had been riding in the buggy. Her other six family members were taken to UVA Hospital for treatment. It was pointed out at that June planning meeting this project could alleviate some of those traffic concerns, while also bringing more retail to the town. This retail store would sell hardware, tools and things of that nature. 

As far as the size? Current plans have it set to be 60 x 80, with a 100 x 80 parking area. The Virginia Department of Transportation has given approval for Hertzler to build a new commercial entrance at the site, because the existing driveway on the property couldn’t be used, due to sight distance requirements. Supervisors gave it unanimous approval. 

The second project

The second business that went before supervisors for a hearing was a wood processing operation, owned and operated by Samuel Hostetler. The entrance to this would be located at 6828 Thomas Jefferson Highway, near the intersection with Germantown Road, also in Charlotte Court House.

The planning commission unanimously recommended approval of this one as well. No one signed up to speak, for or against, during the Wednesday, Aug. 14 hearing. According to the application, Hostetler’s plan is to process and make firewood. He has a kiln and plans to cut the pieces of wood up, wrap and dry them to sell. Supervisors unanimously agreed to approve the application for this one as well.