Waynesboro's Brown Bag Express announces closing

Every morning for the past two years the Brown Bag Express restaurant in Waynesboro announced its daily specials with friendly messages on Facebook. However, this morning owner Faith Ayres posted a different message:

I'm sorry to say that we will be closing our business on Thursday August 15th. We will miss all of our customers. Thank you for your business for the last 2+ years!

It was a surprise to those in the community who have become accustomed to running by 133 N. Wayne Avenue for delicious comfort foods on the go.

Every morning, Monday through Friday, the day's specials were announced with familiar chirpy announcements:

Happy Wednesday! Today I'll have Mac & Cheese, Steamed Broccoli & Steamed Corn for hot sides. I have Chocolate Cake w/Peanut Butter Frosting, Strawberry Cake, German Chocolate Cake, Spice Cake, Chocolate Cake, Brownies, Chocolate Chip Cookies & Muffins for baked goods. See you later!

Reporter Roger Gonzales with the News-Virginian highlighted the restaurant two weeks ago, noting at that time that they were weathering the difficulties of lower traffic due to downtown construction and blocked streets. Now it sounds like it may have had more of an impact than the Brown Bag Express could take.

Waynesboro's Peck's BBQ closes ... promises to reopen in Staunton

That icon of eateries on the corner of Lew DeWitt Boulevard and Rt. 250 in Waynesboro has closed its doors. After 25 years of serving BBQ and slaw, the owner of Peck's Bar-B-Que sold his valuable lot to CVS Pharmacy and plans to move to a location near Staunton Mall. Peck's also operates a catering service that has been used for political events including a 2005 Jerry Kilgore fundraiser in Andre Viette's garden in Fishersville. The Waynesboro News Virginian has an article here.