The Homeplace Restaurant, a thru-hiker favorite in Catawba, VA, is shutting down permanently after a 10-month closure amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nothing satisfies hiker hunger like an all-you-can-eat dinner, and few eateries have been quite as loved on the Appalachian Trail as The Homeplace—a family-style, southern restaurant near McAfee Knob that’s been a thru-hiker destination for decades.

Photo courtesy Maggie Slepian.

Thru-Hiker Favorite Closes Its Doors

In a statement on Monday, The Homeplace owners, the Wingate family, announced that they are closing their doors permanently.

“As a family, with extended family and friends included,” the statement read, “we have had many discussions, reflections, tears, and laughs, along with many prayers, trying to see the best path for the future of our business, and our family as a whole. In conclusion, we have decided to not reopen The Homeplace Restaurant.”

The decision comes after a 10-month closure that began in 2020 amid COVID-19 safety concerns. The restaurant’s signature family-style tables simply weren’t compatible with social distancing requirements. According to the owners, business was down 50% when they closed their doors in October.

The Wingate family cites a variety of reasons for the recent decision and thanks their community for the loyal support.

“After Covid hit, we were closed for 10 plus months, with a small window of 4 months with takeout, including a few weeks trying to have limited indoor dining,” the statement continued. “There are many factors to be taken into consideration when trying to bring a business back up and running, especially after the circumstances we have been facing. Again, our heartfelt thanks to our employees, our loyal customers, and many others for the prayers, support, and love you have shown over the years.”

Loss for Hikers and Locals

In the final days before The Homeplace closed its doors in October, locals flocked in for a final meal to show their support. At the time, the Wingate family hoped they could reopen in the future, but it looks like their doors will remain shut. “This is such a bitter sweet and emotional decision for our family,” their recent statement read.

If you’ve never experienced the joy of eating to your hiker heart’s content at the family-style tables of The Homeplace, past thru-hikers described it as giving a new meaning to comfort food. Readers voted it the number 1 restaurant on the AT in 2017.

The Homeplace Restaurant served all-you-can-eat southern comfort food to hikers and locals alike. Photo courtesy of Emma Rosenfield.

Have you eaten at The Homeplace? Drop your memories in the comments below.

Featured image via Maggie Slepian.