Two months later, Richey was gone.ĭuner’s is an institution. “It was unexpected and yet felt so obvious,” Kelly said, about joining the kitchen in October. Kelly’s family lives just down the street from Duner’s, and has eaten there for decades. Kelly left Maya early last year, and in October accepted Richey’s offer to become head chef of Duner’s. After helping Clifton Inn earn Relais & Chateaux status in the early 2000s, Kelly co-founded Maya in 2006, which he helped make one of Charlottesville’s most popular restaurants, even a Tony Bennett favorite. Kelly is among Charlottesville’s most accomplished chefs. How Christian Kelly came to own one of Charlottesville’s most iconic restaurants is a story of life coming at you fast. “I’d like to continue to respect his vision and carry on his commitment to hospitality.” “I just want to honor his legacy and passion for simple food done exceptionally well,” said Pittard. In 2022, Richey made Pittard co-owner of Revolutionary Soup, and now Pittard has become full owner. Richey valued Pittard so much that they would meet almost daily to discuss the day’s events. Whenever he had a kitchen emergency, and needed to fill it with someone reliable, he would call on Pittard, who has cooked at The Whiskey Jar, South & Central, Kama, Commonwealth, and Brasserie Saison. But, as an early champion of local sourcing, once Richey purchased it, he elevated and sustained the quality of the downtown fixture’s food - soups, salads, and sandwiches made from local, nutritious, and delicious ingredients.įor years, Tres Pittard was Richey’s fix-it man. It was his only restaurant that he didn’t create himself. The first restaurant Richey ever owned was Revolutionary Soup, which he bought in 2005. “I’d like to carry on his commitment to hospitality.” “I will never be able to fill Wilson’s shoes, but I hope to make him proud.” “I want people to know that the love and joy they have experienced here will continue,” Hartwell. After a decade at The Whiskey Jar, Hartwell had earned the trust of Richey for decisions big and small. He constantly quoted Star Trek: “Failure to communicate is inherently hostile.” Surrounding himself with great people, Richey would say, was the only reason for his success.Īs for what’s next, Hartwell says to expect more of the same. If details as small as lighting or music weren’t quite right, Richey would warn: “People are going to taste that in their food!” And finally, Hartwell named Richey’s emphasis on teamwork and respect. “It’s about people remembering you.” Hartwell also took to heart Richey’s focus on a restaurant’s entire ambience, especially first impressions. “It’s not always about making money,” Richey would preach. Another was assuring that guests’ experiences are memorable. “Every holiday, every gathering, and every festivity was about bringing people together and creating joy,” Hartwell said.

For one, the love and hospitality Richey exuded in everything he did. Daughter Kennedy (10) already has her eyes set on working there, while son Hayes (7) has figured out how to finagle free lemonade from the bartenders.Īsked what lessons he absorbed from a decade with Richey, Hartwell listed many. Much like Richey’s family did, Hartwell’s family considers The Whiskey Jar a second home. On the other hand, Hartwell now takes over a place that has meant so much to him. “I never truly loved any career until I started working side-by-side with Will.” “I owe everything to Will,” Hartwell said. On the one hand, there is no replacing Richey in his life. Becoming owner the way he has is bittersweet, Hartwell said. “The joy of live music, BBQ, whiskey, friends and being loud.”Ĭhris Hartwell is an industry veteran who has been at The Whiskey Jar since 2014, mostly as General Manager. Richey’s aim was a restaurant with a sense of place, serving traditional food of our region. He spent more time there than anywhere else, setting up his laptop on his favorite table in the back and doing business. Opened in 2012, The Whiskey Jar was Richey’s baby.

More on WINA’s Charlottesville Right Now here. Meet the new owners charged with carrying the legacy of Wilson Richey. The rest, thanks to his planning, had leaders in place ready to take the reins. Four of his creations – The Wine Guild, The Alley Light, The Bebedero, and Cafe Frank – Richey no longer owned at the time of his December 2023 death. So long as he had team members to whom he could safely divest ownership, he would turn his focus to his new idea. Richey’s passion to create new experiences drove him so much that once one of his creations was running well, he felt free to start the next. If there are any silver linings in the loss of Charlottesville’s most prolific restaurateur, one may be that Wilson Richey’s modus operandi when he was alive eases his restaurants’ transitions now that he’s gone.

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