The Roanoker - May/June 2018 - 16

Draper,
VIRGIN I A

01 The building housing Draper
Mercantile has served many
purposes, including general
store and post office.
02 There's a variety of Merc
swag available, as well as
local and regional artwork and
handcraft.

03 The brunch menu is varied:

pancakes, gravy biscuits, fresh
salads and omelets.

04 Vintage Blue features stylish
vintage finds and more Merc
swag.

05 The New River Trail traverses
field, forest and water, like this
crossing of the headwaters of
Claytor Lake at Hiwassee.

A Day In Draper
This tiny community delivers dining, shopping and outdoor fun.

Anne Sampson

is a freelance
journalist and
photographer based
in Roanoke. She's
often found hiking
and visiting small
towns at home and
abroad, camera in
one hand, notebook
in the other. Follow
her on Instagram
@annephotog.
16

MAY/JUNE 2018

art and merchandise found in the restaurant, as well the neighboring
shops that make up Draper Village, the collection of renovated 19th
century commercial buildings that once served the community in
more prosaic ways.
An all-day breakfast and lunch menu features omelets, breakfast
platters, fruity oatmeal, salads and sandwiches, served with houseroasted, Open Road Roastery coffee in an attractive rustic setting.
There's a stage in the corner which may soon showcase live music,
and meeting rooms you can rent.
Owners Bill and Debbie Gardner have created an unexpected
experience in rural Pulaski County, right off I-81. Remote and
accessible at once, it's the perfect day trip or weekend getaway. I
READ ABOUT ANNE'S NEXT ADVENTURE
to Smith Mountain Lake in our July/August issue!
TheRoanoker.com

ANNE SAMPSON

S

UNDAY IS A GOOD TIME TO HEAD to Draper,
Virginia, a "census-designated place," otherwise known as
a "wide place in the road."
Here's what you can do: bring your bike (or rent one there) and
ride a portion of the New River Trail, a 57.7-mile linear state park
developed from a Norfolk Southern rail bed. You'll see parts of
Claytor Lake, cross rivers along old railroad trestles, hear birds and
frogs (the spring peepers are out) and see some of the hundreds of
native plants preserved there. You'll cruise past backyards and the
cattle-dotted hills of family farms, past repurposed depots and cabins
turned into vacation rentals.
Ride back and have Sunday brunch within sight of the trail at
'The Merc:' Draper Mercantile, a restaurant/retail experience that's
made Draper a destination. While you wait for a table (because
other people are doing what you're doing), browse the interesting



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The Roanoker - May/June 2018

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Roanoker - May/June 2018

The Roanoker - May/June 2018 - Intro
The Roanoker - May/June 2018 - Cover1
The Roanoker - May/June 2018 - Cover2
The Roanoker - May/June 2018 - 3
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The Roanoker - May/June 2018 - Cover3
The Roanoker - May/June 2018 - Cover4
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