Old Arrington depot becomes new Sparrow’s Cafe

By Erin McGrath

Published: May 21, 2008

The new paint smell hasn’t quite worn off the bright white walls of the recently refurbished Arrington railroad depot, situated along Virginia 151 in Beech Grove.

The only scents overpowering the paint are that of freshly brewed coffee and baked chicken coming from the kitchen of Sparrow’s Café, a new breakfast and lunch eatery that has taken up residence in the old building.

Operated by the Suazo family of Nellysford, the café offers specialty coffees, breakfast, baked goods and sandwiches.

“We’re still getting into the swing and groove of things,” Laurie Suazo said.

If you’re going
- What: Sparrow’s Cafe
- Where: Behind the Ski Barn, on the corner of Virginia 151 and 664 near Nellysford
- Open Monday thru Saturday, 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- For more information, call (434) 361-0054.

The café opened on May 8, but Suazo said the family was looking for a place to have a coffee house for a while.

“We had been talking about renting a place,” Suazo said. “Just local here for coffee because there’s not really a coffee shop. We were just going to keep it simple.”

A family friend put Laurie and her husband, Glen Suazo, in touch with Steve Crandall, who was rebuilding the old Arrington railroad depot in Beech Grove for just that purpose.

Crandall purchased the old Arrington depot building from Jeremy Hale, owner of Hale Construction, who bought it and dismantled the building in 2007 when it was going to be destroyed after the land in sat on was sold.

“We just thought it would make a neat coffee and sandwich shop over here,” Crandall said.

For decades, the Arrington depot — or “Arrington Summit” as it was referred to in early railway records because it was the highest station above sea level on the Southern Railway system — served as the hub for local commerce.

In 1915, the track was lowered, a new depot was constructed, and the old depot was removed from service. From then on it served as a barbershop, drugstore and as an antique mall.

From 1961 to 1982 it was the Arrington Post Office. After that, the building was privately owned.

Now the 150-year-old building has found new life as a café.

“It’s been a lot of fun,” Laurie Suazo said. “Everybody loves it so far. I’ve not had any complaints that I know of.”

Except for one. She still has to put curtains up in the women’s bathroom.

“We’ll get around to it,” she said. “We’re still trying to work out the kinks.”