BrickHouse Bar & Grill Marks One Year with a Warm, Hometown Ribbon Cutting

BrickHouse Bar & Grill celebrated its first anniversary the way a true neighborhood spot should—shoulder to shoulder with friends, family, and local leaders. The Front Royal–Warren County Chamber of Commerce led a lively ribbon-cutting ceremony that felt more like a reunion than a formal event, and the order of the morning told the story of how this place came to be.

Chamber Executive Director Niki Foster opened with congratulations and a genuine welcome, noting that the community has gathered here frequently over the past year. Then Tina Toliver, representing the Chamber, spoke about the building’s second life—how a once-quiet space has been revitalized with care and how the owners support local kids and school programs. It set a tone of gratitude and pride.

County Supervisor Cheryl Cullers added a personal touch, noting she’s visited several times for meals and events, praised the food, and thanked the Gradys for bringing a beloved gathering place back to life.

Mayor Lori Cockrell followed with a nod to BrickHouse’s community spirit—Little League support, high school help, and a steady presence at local events. Her message was simple: the town is glad BrickHouse is here, and hopes it stays for many years. She reminded everyone that this building started as a union hall—a place for parties, aerobics classes, graduation receptions, and just about anything the neighborhood needed. For a while, it sat empty, and people wondered what would become of it. Now, thanks to the owners’ vision, the lights are on, the TVs are glowing on game day, and the space is busy again.

When owners Chris and Christy Grady stepped forward, the energy shifted to family. Christy shared that the idea was first Chris’s—years of talking and planning, then a year of remodeling—until it became their project together. They thanked the staff who had become like family, calling out GM Toby Brown for keeping the wheels turning on long, busy nights. They described what they want this place to be: a spot where you can bring your kids to watch a football game, where grandparents feel at home, where the bar is tucked to one side and the dining room does most of the talking.

With everyone gathered on the sidewalk, the crowd counted down together—scissors snapped, the ribbon dropped, and cheers rose and carried down the street.

After photos and hugs, the owners sat down for a quick chat about year one. They didn’t sugarcoat it. It was a rocky start. Staffing took time. Systems took longer. But the right hires arrived, regulars kept showing up, and the community carried them through the long days. Now the team is strong, and it shows.

For anyone who hasn’t visited yet, BrickHouse is more than the word “bar” suggests. There are plenty of TVs for game days and arcade games for kids to enjoy. The menu aims wide—wings that get a lot of love, burgers done right, and smothered chicken that regulars keep coming back for. Lunchtime has become a sweet spot: service is quicker, with an eye toward getting folks back to work in about 45 minutes, and there’s a $10 lunch option (select items with fries and a drink) that makes decisions easy.

Hours are built for flexibility—11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. It’s a two-shift kind of operation, and the Gradys know it well. They’re also balancing two long-running businesses—American Asphalt (25 years) and TLC Settlements (22 years)—which means the support from staff and the patience from family and friends matter more than ever. The crowd at the ribbon cutting included a mix of both regulars who’ve become close and relatives who cheer quietly from the corner while the owners juggle the next task.

If there was a theme to the day, it was this: some buildings are meant to be gathering places. BrickHouse has brought that back. The first year felt like a test—of stamina, of faith, of teamwork—and they passed it together. As the morning drew to a close and the dining room settled back into its usual rhythm, the atmosphere was hopeful. Year two starts now, the vision is clear, and the door is open.

Stop in for a game, bring the kids for the arcade, grab a quick lunch, or linger over dinner. It’s exactly the kind of place where Front Royal has always felt like home.