TAZEWELL, VA – AUGUST 29, 2025 – The goal Chris Myers and Donna Roberts had in mind when they began developing Fearless Ventures LLC/The Wayfarer Appalachia was about more than opening a restaurant and music venue, it was – and is – about blending Appalachian culture with modern hospitality and entertainment while at the same time revitalizing community spirit and driving visitors and residents into downtown Tazewell, VA.
The Wayfarer, located at 386 Main Street in Tazewell, will celebrate its grand opening on September 12.
Fearless Ventures LLC, doing business as The Wayfarer, is a recent recipient of a $10,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Seed Capital Matching Grant. Seed capital grants are funded from regional funds received by VCEDA which are paid by the natural gas industry.
“The Wayfarer seeks to create a food and music venue in downtown Tazewell which will appeal to both visitors and locals,” said Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA executive director/general counsel. “The new business, which had its soft opening June 26, projects 20 full-time employees and 25 part-time employees within five years.”
The Wayfarer houses not only the restaurant featuring locally sourced ingredients, traditional recipes and innovative dishes at its Main Street location, but also a performance stage for live music and community events. It also serves a headquarters for the broader Road Lore brand – an innovative lifestyle and entertainment company with roots in storytelling, music and road culture.
“The project lies at the intersection of two growing sectors – experiential tourism and regional culinary/music culture,” Myers said. “Our customers include locals, tourists, music fans, outdoor adventurers and road travelers.”
Roberts agreed, adding the focus for the music part of the business is simply, “we want to try to bring Nashville here.”
The Wayfarer will feature all genres of music from blues and jazz to country, gospel and bluegrass, Roberts said. In addition to named performers, the Wayfarer will also feature open mic nights, as well as a Sunday Honky Tonks day. “We might even have a comedy show some time and hope to welcome guest speakers on a variety of topics including foraging in the Appalachian mountains.”
On the food side of things – from smashburgers, filets and fish and chips, to a Coal Miners comfort dinner of brown beans, cornbread and collard greens, fresh salads and a varied appetizer menu – all found on the www.wayfarerappalachia.com website, there’s a little something sure to please everyone.
On Tazewell home football game nights, the front portion of the restaurant, which is independent of the bar area, will remain open until 11 p.m. for those under the age of 21 to enjoy a special menu with options including smash burgers and fish and chips, as well as milkshakes.
Roberts noted the VCEDA grant has primarily been used for refrigeration and the replacement of five of six coolers.
“We’ve had some unexpected expenses come up during the building renovation,” Roberts noted. “We had some funds in our budget allocated for those unexpected things that pop up, but we have exceeded that. The VCEDA grant has been so helpful in that regard. It has helped us to meet those unexpected challenges and gave us a little bit of breathing room.”
Myers and Roberts worked with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Southwest Virginia Community College (SWCC) in developing the application to VCEDA and received a letter of support from the Tazewell County Industrial Development Authority.
“Fearless Ventures / Wayfarer is more than a business — it’s a celebration of Appalachian lifestyle,” said Denise Harmon, director of the SWCC SBDC. “Blending storytelling, music and farm-to-table gatherings, this venture showcases the natural beauty and culture of Tazewell. We’re proud to support an effort that strengthens local connections and inspires adventure.”
“The Tazewell County IDA is pleased to support The Wayfarer’s VCEDA seed capital application,” said Tazewell County IDA Director Tim Danielson. “More than just a restaurant on Main Street, the Wayfarer will feature as a cornerstone, the ‘Road Lore’ brand, bringing the community and travelers together through food, storytelling, local and national music and shared experiences. Through the VCEDA Seed Capital Grant Program, VCEDA helps make unique tourism and entertainment experiences for local citizens and tourists alike possible.”
The Wayfarer is open Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Happy hour is offered from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday-Friday. The restaurant is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Reservations may be made on the website or by calling 276-385-7016. Take-out orders may also be placed at that number.
The Wayfarer may also be found on Facebook.
About Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority and Southwest Virginia’s e-Region: The Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1988 to enhance and diversify the region’s economy and help create jobs, markets Southwest Virginia’s e-Region and its focus on electronic information technology, energy, education, emerging technologies, and entrepreneurship. VCEDA is a unique economic development organization that manages funds for economic development projects from a percentage of the coal and natural gas severance taxes paid by coal and natural gas companies that operate in the region. Located in southwestern Virginia, the region includes Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell, and Wise counties and the City of Norton. www.vceda.us or www.e-Region.org.
About the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority Seed Capital Matching Grant Fund: VCEDA region for-profit businesses, within qualifying business categories, one year and under with less than 10 full-time employees are eligible to apply for dollar-for-dollar matching grants up to $10,000 from the VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Fund. Applicants work with the Small Business Development Centers at Mountain Empire and Southwest Virginia community colleges to prepare the applications to VCEDA that include detailed business and financial plans. Businesses must be located in or plan to operate in the VCEDA region in southwestern Virginia that includes Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell, and Wise counties and the City of Norton.