Over the course of the summer, several restaurants and business on the Corner expanded services and opened shop — and the area has seen aesthetic changes with a new mural on the side of the Graduate Charlottesville.
The mural — painted by artist David Guinn — debuted on the southwest wall of the hotel in August and includes a quote from “Testimonial,” a poem by U.S. Poet Laureate and English Prof. Rita Dove.
“We’re thrilled Graduate Charlottesville was chosen as the site of this mural,” General Manager Yolunda Harrell said. “It’s a huge honor and another way we can connect with the local community and be the home of something truly unique and inspiring. We appreciate the message of Rita Dove’s ‘Testimonial’ and are excited to see how David Guinn brings it to life.”
The mural is intended to be a personal piece for the University, as Dove, who has attained numerous honors and much acclaim for her poetry, has taught at the University since 1989. The quote from “Testimonial” featured in the mural reads, “The world called, and I answered.”
Guinn said the mural aims to exude positivity, visually portraying the sentiments of the poem.
"I am excited to be working with the Charlottesville Mural Project, Graduate Charlottesville and Rita Dove to bring this mural to the community,” Guinn said. "In the design I wanted to express the emotion that I felt in Rita Dove's ‘Testimonial’ with its beautiful exuberance and optimism, its enthusiasm for, and wonder at life — this is the spirit that I wanted to communicate to the U.Va. community.”
The mural is the third installment of its kind in the Paint & Poetry Series, supported by the Charlottesville Mural Project, New City Arts and the Office of the Provost and the Vice Provost for the Arts at the University.
Further up University Ave., Littlejohn’s Deli has added outdoor seating for its diners.
Owner Colleen Strong said customers can enjoy a historic and social view while enjoying their food on the crest of the Corner.
“That particular spot on the Corner sits directly in front of the spot where the original arches to the University and the original cornerstone were, right there, and [diners] can see from that patio space,” Strong said. “Also, coming from the north or south, that sticks out the furthest so you can see it, and it's just a fresh place to sit out there and see your friends walking by.”
Strong said Littlejohn’s collaborated with CVS Pharmacy in the process of permitting and arranging the space.
“I spoke with the owner of the building that CVS is in and management, and we all worked together on this,” Strong said. “They were in 100 percent support of us having a space there because it’s in front of their building as well as adjacent to our doorfront, and we think it adds to the aesthetic of the Corner.”
Additionally, Strong plans on offering new specials for services, food and drinks to her customers.
“I’m considering running a special … [in which] we are going to roll out table service, so anyone who’s sitting out there, spending time, we’ll come out, we’ll bring you food, we’ll take your order for more food, so the customer doesn't have to come back in and wait in line again,” Strong said. “[Also], we want to run some fun specials, some beer specials, some food specials, and really just have some fun with it, especially on big weekends.”
Strong said she is excited about the opportunity the space will provide for the restaurant and has been pleased with the reaction to the space.
“[The feedback has] been incredibly positive — it’s been so much fun,” Strong said.
Some of the newcomers to the Corner also include Zip Chicken and Poke Sushi Bowl, both of which are across from long-established Christian’s Pizza and Boylan Heights.
“I’m a huge sushi fan, so I was so excited when I heard it was opening,” Curry graduate student Lindsey Porter said about Poke. “I think it provides a unique option for people looking to eat on the Corner. At first, I was a little overwhelmed by the number of options and combinations, but once I was able to really take a look at the menu, it was really easy to pick a combination of things that I liked! 10 out of 10 — would recommend.”
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