The Charlottesville 29

Music was a big part of the life of Wilson Richey and, by extension, those who basked in his light. A playlist of music of Charlottesville’s most prolific restaurateur, as remembered by loved ones (Apple Music and Spotify):

Make Every Song Your Favorite Tune: Music of Will Richey

Shine a Light – The Rolling Stones
Simon Davidson
Wilson was a light. The concept of Light has recurred again and again in loved ones’ memories of him. This is a highlight from an album that Wilson and I considered one of our favorites ever. I always hear Will’s outlook on life in: “Make every song your favorite tune.”

A Little Light – Sturgill Simpson
Emily Harpster
I played this one for Will as a way of telling him how he made me happy and a better person.

Midnight Special – Credence Clearwater Revival
Lisa Richey 
Nothing made his dad happier than listening to Will and his brother Blair play and sing Midnight Special at their family reunions.

Sunny Afternoon – The Kinks
Heroes – David Bowie
Jake Busching
We heard these at my fire pit often. I had a Pandora station just for when Wilson was at my house, based on Bowie and The Kinks. I think these two songs capture Wilson moments perfectly.

Willin’ – Little Feat
Evan and Stephanie Williams
Deep down I think Will always wanted to be a long-haul trucker, and this was his ode to that small, wonderful dream. And you show me a sign . . . I’ll be willin’ . . . to be movin’.

Fairytale of New York – The Pogues
Marie Richey

Mr. Blue Sky – Electric Light Orchestra
Lisa Richey
On the way to the beach, Will would blast Mr. Blue Sky, and he and the kids would sing at the top of their lungs.

Father Christmas – The Kinks
Lisa Richey
Father Christmas by The Kinks was how every Christmas Party would end.

Ripple – The Grateful Dead
Michael Keaveny
My favorite memory of Wilson is 2:30 in the morning, outside a bar in New Orleans, where he decides to show me and some friends we just met how to do the Grateful Dead dance, unfazed by all the onlookers. Never remember laughing that hard in my life. What a gift. Thanks Wilson!

Reuben and Cherise – Jerry Garcia Band
Chris Dunbar
In the early days of The Alley Light, Will would use the dining room as his de-facto office, typing away (with only two fingers mind you), reading, and listening to music. One day I walked in while Reuben and Cherise was playing. I mentioned how I liked the melody but had never really listened to the lyrics. Will was mystified. It felt like I had just told an art critic I thought a masterpiece was ‘nice’ or ‘pretty.’ As per usual Will took time to explain what made this song special. Based loosely on Greek poetry, Hunter spins a tale of love lost during the New Orleans Carnival. New Orleans inspired Will. He was always excited to take The Whiskey Jar staff on epic R&D trips to show them the capital of American food and hospitality culture. Garcia’s voice will always have a tint of sadness and now many of my memories of Will share that same reflection. Listening to this song will never be easy again, but I’ll pay that emotional toll if it means remembering a quiet afternoon at The Alley Light with Will.

Sugaree (1977) – The Grateful Dead
Mark and Vickie Gresge
Will would play this every Friday and Saturday night right after the last guest left at l’etoile. He would turn it up very loud. We would take a deep breath and smile. Commenting on how the evening went. Then silence as we listened to the song and started the clean up of the restaurant.

In Bloom – Nirvana
Mark Fulton
Will’s son Alston played this with his band at his first show ever, at Hogwaller Brewing, to close the set. While it isn’t really a Will song per se, he was so excited to watch Allston’s band that night.

Les Playboys – Jacques Dutronc
Will and Priscilla Curley
This was the kind of music I think played in Wilson’s head when he dressed up fancy for something.

We Three (My Echo, My Shadow and Me) – The Ink Spots
Chris Dunbar
One defining characteristic of The Alley Light is the house music. The playlists were all curated by Will from the beginning and play to this day. The staff is well-versed in hundreds of songs with lists such as ‘French Accordion’, ‘Late Night Euro Pop’, and ‘Vocal Jazz’. As with many of Will’s interests, his musical tastes were varied and unique. The Ink Spots will always bring back vivid memories of an Alley Light evening winding down with Micah and Garrett behind the bar, singing along to these sweet songs of a long ago era.

Boots of Spanish Leather – Bob Dylan
Ed Lubin
This was one of Will’s favorite songs, and he spoke of his enjoyment of this song often. A Dylan classic that always will remind me of him.

Dead Flowers – Townes Van Zandt
Lisa Richey
Whenever Will had a bad day or was feeling blue, he would listen to Dead Flowers by Townes Van Zandt on repeat.

Space and Time – S.G. Goodman
Emily Harpster
Will played this for me, and I’m so glad he did. It’s a good reminder to tell people you love that you love them, something he was great about doing.

Wish You Were Here – Pink Floyd
Blair Richey
(The song Blair played for his brother Will at his memorial service.)

Hopalong Peter – David Grisman and Jerry Garcia
Alston Richey
(The song Will sang to his son when he was young.)

The resilience of chef Allie Redshaw since losing her hand in a kitchen accident has been an inspiration. She cooks, she caters, she climbs, she cares for her family. Next month, she is headed to Tanzania for one of her biggest challenges yet: Kiliminjaro. Founded by a Green Beret and NFL players, The Waterboys’ “Conquering Kili” program is an ascent of Africa’s tallest mountain intended for military veterans and professional athletes. This year, Allie Redhsaw is joining them. And, it’s all to raise money for a vital cause:  transform communities through the gift of clean water.

To help, the only mountain you’ll need to climb is the driveway to Potter’s Craft Cider, where, on February 12, for one night only, a rare treat awaits: a feast prepared by Allie and her husband Ian. The evening will begin with a cocktail hour, followed by a family-style dinner drawing on the flavors of East Africa. Potter’s ciders will accompany the meal, followed by a special dessert from a surprise guest chef. Finally, there will be an auction of signed gear and memorabilia, gift certificates, and artisan products.

Tickets are available here, with all proceeds going towards the Conquering Kili team’s efforts. If you’re unable to attend, you can still support this great cause here.

UPDATE: Littlejohn’s opens Monday, April 15 at 11 am. For its first week back, it will be open Monday through Sunday from 11 am – 9 pm.

The rumors are true. Littlejohn’s is back.

The icon was the restaurant casualty of COVID-19 that hit some in Charlottesville harder than any other. The deli’s beloved sandwiches were part of the reason. But, just as big, if not bigger, is the place that Littlejohn’s holds in the city’s mystique. For many, it’s hard to picture The Corner without the Littlejohn’s awning and words in the window: “OPEN 24 HRS”.

But, the pandemic was not kind to a business so dependent on foot traffic and university life. “Until the COVID-19 shutdown, it has been in continuous operation for 44 years and as a flagship Corner restaurant has survived many upheavals,” said then-owner Christian Trendel in April 2020. “But, I don’t know if it will survive this challenge.” Sadly, his concerns were warranted. Littlejohn’s closed that year.

But now, a team of owners is resurrecting it.

The Hook

Of the many theories for Charlottesville’s nickname “The Hook,” one is that the city’s allure brings you back. (On that you can rely.) Many people – natives and UVa students alike – leave Charlottesville only to find themselves drawn back to the place that holds their heart. I am one of them.

Another is former UVa swimming star Bill Smyth, who has now been lured back to Charlottesville not once, but twice. The first was in 1997. After graudating from UVa in 1994, the five-time All American left for several swim coaching jobs around the country. In 1997, he returned as an assistant coach at UVa. In 2005, he left again for a head coaching job at Boston Univeristy, from which he retired last year. Now he’s back in the place he loves.

What brought him back this time? Littlejohn’s. As a UVa student and coach for more than a decades, Littlejohn’s was a favorite of Smyth’s. He was one of many who were sad to see it go. “I knew what Littlejohn’s meant to Charlottesville,” said Smyth. And so, when he caught wind last year of the opportunity to resurrect it with a team of owners, he leapt at it.

With no background in restaurants, Smyth is teaming up with longtime friend Dain North, an industry veteran whose experience includes Ace Biscuit & Barbecue, Draft, and McGrady’s. What do they have planned? The Littlejohn’s everyone remembers.

“We are walking into the shoes of legendary ownership of an institution,” said Smyth. “We’re going to keep things largely the same as they were.” While Smyth says they may expand the menu down the road, initially the focus will be the 8-10 sandwiches and 8-10 subs that Charlottesville has missed in Littlejohn’s absence.

Smyth’s personal favorite is the Nuclear Sub. “I don’t remember if that was my first sub,” said Smyth. “But, I do remember having it many, many times.” There will also of course be the Five Easy Pieces, The Sampson, Wild Turkey, and other favorites.

Follow along for the latest on Littlejohn’s Instagram feed.