The Batesville Store is definitely one of my favorite places near Cville! We found this store one day completely by accident–and it has become a family favorte ever since! It is actually in Batesville–not too far from Cville–and totally worth the beautiful, scenic drive. Nestled in the tiny, historic community, it’s friendly demeanor invites passerbys and bikers alike to come in sit and enjoy a tasty treat, some delish homemade icecream or a refreshing drink! And of course, it is a frequently visited place for most locals to pick up their favorite cookie or get a tasty, homemade lunch time treat! From the moment I walk into this adorable country store, I instantly feel like I am part of a community–similar to how Norm must have felt when walking into Cheers–except, they don’t all yell out my name when I walk in (secretly, I wish they would! ssshhhhhhhh!!!!).\ Take a look…so cute and inviting!!
Another thing I love about The Batesville Store is that they are alway hosting fun community events–for example–Apple Butter Day!
They typically have live music on Sunday afternoons where folks can come listen, visit–or even work on their laptop (yes they have wifi!) They also have music on some Saturdays evenings!!
See one of the reasons my kiddos love it?? All sorts of goodies!
And did I mention, HOMEMADE, AMAZING–soo good you want to secretly lick up the crumbs–baked goods!! Oh so yummy!
Fabulous wine selection…
Amazing deli treats for those who have more that a sweet tooth craving…
And, yes, Ms. Scallet’s Legendary Chocolate Chip Cookies! There is a story behind these–and here’s the lowdown straight from the mouth of Cid:
Liza taught English at the local high school for thirty years. When she
couldn't return student essays within the promised two weeks, she would give
each kid a cookie as "compensation" for the delay. For some odd reason, the
kids never seemed to mind that it would sometimes take her longer than two
weeks to get their papers back to them! Since Liza taught more than three
thousand students over the years, the cookies became known far and wide in
the community as the Ms. Scallet's Legendary Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Several times a week, Liza's former students, some of them from as far back
as the early 1980's, come into the store for one of Ms. Scallet's
cookies--and they often bring their children with them!
There you have it! You must, MUST try these!!!
Another thing that makes me smile about the store is the homey little details–look at these cute little salt and pepper shakers!!
And, if I still haven’t convinced you to go visit, here are a few more details to sway you to go check this charming little store out!
So there you have it folks another one of the best places to visit around these parts–go visit Cid and Liza and their wonderful staff, I promise you will LOVE it–and them!!!
Batesville Store can be found @
6620 Plank Rd
Afton, VA 22920
(434) 823-4752
A bit more info/history about The Batesville Store and it owners Cid and Liza Scallet:
The Batesville Store has been the commercial and community center of
Batesville and its environs since 1880. Known as Page’s Store from 1913 to
2007, the humble white building at the intersection of three major rural
roads was stuffed from floor to ceiling with dry goods and staples of
particular interest to the farmers in the community, but it also featured
jewelry, major appliances, deli meats, and local crafts. Owned and operated
for decades by Charles Page and his redoubtable wife, Rose, the store was
the center of the area’s social scene as well, its pot-bellied stove the
gathering place for locals in the winter and the Pages’ field across from
the store a venue for community activities throughout the seasons.
Today the name of the store is different but its role as a center of
community activity remains the same. Owned by Liza Scallet, a teacher for
more than thirty years at the local high school, and her husband, Cid, the
store offers goods and services that reflect the needs of a less
agricultural and more professional populace. Featuring a huge gourmet deli
and a cornucopia of homemade baked goods, the store continues to showcase
local crafts and jewelry but also provides free wireless internet, fancy
coffee drinks, and an impressive collection of Virginia wines. The old
place buzzes with social activity, including live music every weekend, book
club meetings, events sponsored by the local Ruritan social club, wine
tastings, crafts workshops, and public forums devoted to issues of
importance to the community.
The store is also a place where people just hang out, enjoying a cup of
Greenberry’s coffee or scoop of homemade ice cream while visiting with
friends and neighbors. It is the heart of Batesville, pure and simple.
