The Charlottesville 29

Virginia is ending all COVID-19 restrictions, Governor Ralph Northam announced today. Effective May 28, no capacity restrictions. No distancing restrictions. No dining restrictions. Nada. Zip. Zilch.

Plus, vaccinated people may ditch their masks, with limited exceptions.

In celebration of this historic announcement for Charlottesville, we revisit this recent declaration: It’s Time to Declare Victory: The Charlottesville Food Community Overcomes COVID-19.

Our restaurants have faced an existential threat from a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic. Will our food community survive?

One year later, we have our answer. For all its havoc, for all its devastation, for all its pain, this virus could not defeat the Charlottesville food community. Yes, we lost beloved institutions. Yes, our restaurants faced greater anguish than ever before. Tears. Heartbreak. But, no, COVID-19, you did not destroy us.

With COVID-19 restrictions ended, and this year’s The Charlottesville 29 revealed this week, there’s just one thing to do.

Let’s eat. The 2021 Charlottesville 29.