Calloway Store Held Soft Opening in Lynchburg

The historic site reopened for a local event after forty years of closure.

Updated on Sept. 20, 2026 in Openings & Closings

A restored historic storefront facade featuring aged brickwork and a wooden porch under warm late-afternoon sunlight in a residential city district. — The historic Calloway Store, a formerly Black-owned grocery business in Lynchburg, held a soft opening this week following six years of structural restoration. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Calloway Store, once a prominent Black-owned grocery business in Lynchburg, held a soft opening during the Party on Pierce Street. The event marked a milestone for the organization that acquired the property six years ago.

Why it matters

The project serves to preserve local neighborhood history while creating new educational opportunities for the community. The restoration work aims to honor the legacy of one of the city's first Black-owned grocery stores.

The Calloway Store building is currently undergoing restoration six years after being acquired in a condemned state. This milestone occurs as the property approaches its 150th anniversary.

The players

The Calloway Store

This facility was one of the first Black-owned grocery stores in Lynchburg.

Pierce Street Organization

This group is responsible for the ongoing acquisition and historical restoration of the property.

The details

Workers are currently stabilizing the structure, which consists of a former home and a grocery store, while meticulously preserving original details. Phase two of the restoration is complete, with ongoing efforts focusing on rebuilding the porch and internal rooms.

6 years ago: The organization acquired the condemned building.
September 20, 2026: The Party on Pierce Street and soft opening occurred.
Fall 2026: The official store opening is expected.
2027: Completion of all store renovations is scheduled.

Market Landscape

The revitalization of this site follows a trend of rehabilitating neglected properties to anchor neighborhood development. The project positions the Pierce Street organization as a key driver in local historical preservation efforts.

Residents can anticipate a fully restored historic space that will offer new educational resources for the community. The project transforms a previously condemned property into an active neighborhood asset.

The takeaway

The restoration of the Calloway Store highlights the value of community-led efforts in preserving local heritage. The project demonstrates how abandoned structures can be repurposed to serve contemporary educational needs.