(as printed in the 2010 Lake Anna Guide)
The silhouette has changed dramatically on the Louisa end of the Route 208 Bridge. The commercial building harboring the long-awaited amenities on the water that the Lake Anna community has desperately needed is almost complete. Developer BBCR promised restaurants and shops along the water and this year, with developer J.A. Snyder, they will deliver. The community is extremely excited to dine and shop at the complex that rests on the shore of the lake.
The Lake Anna Island Shops have shared its tenant list with your Lake Anna Guide and we spoke with each of the entrepreneurs to find out what we can expect upon the Island Shops grand opening this summer.
American cuisine in a casual atmosphere. Patrons will be able to select from steaks, burgers, pasta dishes, and more. Opening Ally’s is a lifelong dream for new restauranteur Allison Nails and her son, Frank Burgess. He is a a chef with great promise and will be heading up the kitchen.
Ally’s on the Lake will have a view of the water and everything prepared in the kitchen will be made from scratch. “We will make our own sauces, salad dressings, and sides,” Frank says, and they will butcher their own beef. Allison is an avid Washington Redskins fan and expects to add a sports theme to the bar in Ally’s.
Frank and Ally are very anxious to open their new venture and everyone is hoping for a July 4th grand opening. Ally’s will offer a full menu with seasonal favorites. Frank also intends to create a variety of healthy choices for adults and children alike, offering items like fresh apple slices with an entree as an option instead of french fries. He hopes the restaurant will be casual and family friendly and wants the location to be a wonderful addition to the Lake Anna landscape. One of Frank’s main objectives is that patrons feel like guests, rather than customers. Frank and Allison want Ally’s to be a partnership with the community. Says Frank, “Together, we can make it your favorite place on the lake.”
When asked what would be their signature dish, Frank replied “we want to make everyone happy. We will put effort into any dish the neighborhood wants. It’s not just our place, it’s Lake Anna’s restaurant.”
Asian Café
The Asian Café will bring fine Chinese and Japanese food and will have a spectacular view of Lake Anna. The restaurant will also feature a fresh sushi bar. The Asian Café will offer a Far East flavor to those who want to veer from traditional American fare.
Other Shops:
There will also be a combination gift shop/coffee bar/ice cream shop. This spot will feature treats ranging from plain coffee to the specialty roasts that will rival any coffeehouse. Sandwiches will also be served from breakfast to close. The gift shop portion will sell t-shirts, souvenirs, beach accessories, sundries, and more.
In addition to treats that will please your taste buds, there are other new amenities to the area. The new salon in the complex, Chameleon, is owned by Dana Robertson and Dana Roberts.These two business partners have extensive salon experience. Dana Roberts has specialized in nails for over 18 years. The two have plans to open the doors of Chameleon as soon as construction is complete.
Lake Anna Island Realty will move into the new commercial building. Broker BJ Blount says “we will eventually tear down the old office and build a new, larger commercial building on the waterfront.”
Also joining in the space of the commercial building will be the title company Northern Virginia Title & Escrow (NVT&E). This will not only offer a brand new workspace for the company, but also add a convenience to the closing process in a great location next to one of the lake’s real estate offices, plus the close proximity to the new restaurants and one of the best views of the lake.
The building will also house a fitness center that will be open around the clock. This will make squeezing in an early morning or late night workout easier than ever with a complete fitness center practically in our backyard.
In addition to the first commercial building, there are also a new set of condos currently under construction next to the building. These will have the closest access to all of the new businesses. The condos start at $388, 300 and are maintenance free. There is also a yacht club on the premises with boat slips for sale and lease. There will be a covered pavilion on the water for use by the members of the yacht club and other special events.
The boardwalk leading up to the boat slips and pavilion area plays boat drive – in movies on every Saturday night throughout the summer. Other events and services will soon be added, including dining areas, wedding reception spaces, skiing, wakeboarding, sailing lessons and boat rentals.
One great new business getting its start in 2010 is Lake Anna Houseboats. The concept of Lake Anna Houseboats came when John and Eileen Carroll took their family for a weekend houseboat trip to Smith Mountain Lake. “It was a lot of fun for all of us and we thought Lake Anna needed an option like this to enjoy the lake.”
Lake Anna Houseboats’ first rental season began in 2010. Moored at the Lake Anna Yacht Club at New Bridge, the craft is a 54’ Sailabration Houseboat that includes 2 state rooms, full bath, full galley and living room. Owner John Carroll says “Everything is provided for our guests, except for food and beverages.”
Lake Anna Houseboats offers full week, half week, or weekend rentals with “peak season” and “off peak” rates. Cruise the lake during the day, tie up at one of the islands at night, cook out, fish, swim, relax, and enjoy Lake Anna.
The vessel is air conditioned and sleeps eight. Other amenities include: bbq grill, fully stocked kitchen with range, microwave and refrigerator, extra large cooler on deck, full size shower, tv/vcr, games, large deck for sun, and covered deck for shade. “We really enjoy cruising the lake and staying overnight and want our guests to, as well,” added Carroll.
More information about Lake Anna Houseboats can be found on www.lakeannahouseboats.com or call Eileen Carroll at 540-894-7272.
This just outlines a few of the great things to come for this commercial complex. Plans are already underway for a 60,000 square foot building to be built on the water. The building will have additonal restaurants and shops and also have upscale penthouses. After years of wanting restaurants and shops on the water it looks like now that its started, the ball is indeed rolling. Any inquiries regarding the yacht club or condos should be directed to Lake Anna Island Realty at 540-894.4400. Please follow along with the process of Lake Anna Island and other projects in the area on our website at LakeAnnaGuide.com.
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