James River Grill building sold at auction

Bob Carlson agreed to purchase the building for $800,000 at a Sept. 15 auction. The buy includes all furniture, fixtures and equipment. Terms required $100,000 at the auction, and the remaining balance will be paid by Oct. 6.

The 6,042-square-foot building seats 175. In 1984, it opened as Trotter’s Bar-B-Que, and in 1997 began operation as James River Grill, which closed in July.

Carlson said he hopes to minimize changes to the building by keeping it as a restaurant, though competition is heated on East Battlefield Road. Seven new eateries have opened within a half mile of the James River Grill property in the last year.

“The primary focus is to lease it as a restaurant – all the furniture and fixtures are in place, so it makes a lot of sense,” said Todd Chambers, real estate broker for the property.

Chambers said marketing of the building for lease will begin soon, but if no interested parties step forward, renovations could be in order.

Carlson also owns about 200 single-family duplex and apartment units in the area.