GATE CITY, VA – FEBRUARY 26, 2025 — Authentic Italian food and international dish specialties to appeal to locals and tourists alike are what patrons of Franco’s Gate City Bistro, LLC will find when they visit the new restaurant and bar on 114 West Jackson Street in Gate City, VA, according to Franco’s owner, Frank Wynne.
Franco’s Gate City Bistro, LLC 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.
“Franco’s Bistro offers not only a new restaurant in the Gate City area but also the opportunity to visit several other businesses in the building including an antiques store and a hobby shop featuring digital slot car racing,” said Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA executive director/general counsel. “The business projects three full-time employees and 10 part-time employees.”
Wynne said he hopes to have the new restaurant up and running in early spring following an extensive renovation of the Jackson Street property, now known as the Wynne Building.
“That’s how you restore a town,” Wynne said. “Somebody has to take the first step and I’m proud to have done that with the purchase of and the renovations being made to the building.”
Initially, the renovations included restoring one grand staircase and finishing the dining area and a lunch counter in the building which was first built in 1906. The building sat vacant for the past 20 years with the space last used as part of Chris’s Mercantile. Initially it was the long-time home of P.H. Nickels Department Store. When Wynne bought it, he first developed an antique consignment store, Antique Alley; and then the hobby shop which saw its first sale shortly before Christmas. A bookstore is also part of the property and a second floor area will be used as retail space to sell designer clothing at outlet prices and is expected to open this spring.
The restaurant will feature authentic Italian cuisine and other international dishes in addition to some traditional American cuisine fare.
“Once we open, we will feature daily specials and I want it to be a family-style restaurant,” he added, noting he will utilize a Tuscany-themed décor and feature custom-made tables at its booth seating.
Plans call for fresh fruits and vegetables to be purchased from local farmers and catering services will be added in the future.
“Receiving the VCEDA seed capital grant has meant a lot,” Wynne said. “We used it to install a new air conditioning system and for the roof coating. Until the grant, I was really doing things on a wing and a prayer. It has literally meant so much to receive it.”
Wynne worked with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Mountain Empire Community College (MECC) in developing his application to VCEDA and received a letter of support from the Scott County Economic Development Authority.
“Mountain Empire Community College’s Small Business Development Center is thrilled to support Franco’s Bistro in its efforts to grow and elevate the local dining experience in Gate City,” said Becki O’Quinn-Purdie, director of the SBDC and MECC. “While working with the owner, we witnessed his passion for exceptional food, community engagement and genuine hospitality. Franco’s will provide a welcoming space for both locals and visitors to gather and enjoy. We are proud to have played a role in their journey and look forward to celebrating the grand opening of this exciting new restaurant.”
“It is fantastic that a new multi-business made a significant investment in Gate City utilizing an existing building,” said John Kilgore, Scott County EDA director. “The funding from VCEDA will assist Franco’s in expanding what they plan to offer.”
Franco’s Bistro will be open seven days a week for both lunch and dinner may be reached by calling 772-634-1031. Information about the restaurant may also be found on The Wynne Building Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/the.wynne.bldg.antique.alley.
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.