Beckley mayor says a business owner has shown interest in Fruits of Labor building

BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) — The Mayor of Beckley said the owner of a business has shown interest in moving into the former Fruits of Labor Cafe building on Neville Street.

Fruits of Labor owner Tammy Jordan announced last month she would vacate the downtown building. Jordan made the decision while Beckley Common Council members were trying to work out a long-awaited lease agreement.

Beckley Mayor Ryan Neal said on Monday, September 16, 2024, that he hoped the building would not be empty for a long period of time.

“On Friday, I spoke to a gentleman who is very interested in taking over that Fruits of Labor building,” said Mayor Neal. “Nothing concrete, but he asked when Fruits of Labor was going to be out, and I think they needed till mid-October, but we got his name and number, and he’s like, I want in that spot.”

The mayor said he also had hopes that Beckley Common Council would approve the hire of a permanent city manager by mid-October, adding that downtown beautification and revitalization would be the first priority.

Members of Beckley Common Council have said former city officials verbally agreed for Jordan to pay $1,000 monthly lease but did not present the lease to Council for approval, sparking controversy among some in the city about Fruits of Labor occupying the property.

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