Continuing legacy: New owners take the reins at Tuggle’s Gap
Community input is being noted, and they look forward to working with locals and other local businesses. The new owners want to create an environment that makes Tuggle’s Gap Roadside Inn the place to be and make it a Floyd County staple again.
Egg carton ceilings, fried chicken, southern hospitality, and of course Tuggles Gap Pie — these amenities and more, once featured at the Tuggles Gap Restaurant (now called Tuggle’s Gap Roadside Inn), evoke cherished memories for the many travelers and residents who have frequented it through the years. The recent sale of the beloved location has ignited a sense of nostalgia and charged anticipation, many in the community rooting for the restaurant to begin serving again.
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Tuggle’s Gap Roadside Inn is located on the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains on the Floyd-Patrick County line, a few hundred yards from the intersection of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Route 8. Only six miles from the town of Floyd on Tuggle Gap. Wait, “Tuggle” Gap, not “Tuggle’s”? It appears that the influence of the motel and restaurant greatly impacted the area leading many to affectionately refer to it as Tuggles, when in fact the mountain gap is singular, Tuggle Gap.
In Beverly Belcher Wood’s article “Patrick Pioneers – Tuggles of Patrick County,” she theorizes that Tuggle Gap is named for John Tuggle or his son the Rev. Harry Tuggle who settled in the area in the late 1700s on a large tract of land on Rock Castle Creek in Patrick County. Tuggle Gap was an important mail stop for stagecoaches in the early 1800s, carriers using it as a marker and determining factor of the length of journey still ahead. With the Tuggle family owning a large portion of the surrounding land, the name stuck.
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Nearing a century of history, Tuggle’s Gap Roadside Inn started as a convenience store, the Parkway Service Center, in 1938. The name was inspired by the Blue Ridge Parkway, which was still under construction at the time. Parkway visitors frequented the shop while out experiencing the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
About 10 years later George and Irene Spangler took over operations of the roadside shop while living in the lower level of the business. Post-World War II was a time of economic prosperity leading to increased car ownership and the development of highway systems, which in-turn led to a demand for reliable lodging. The Spanglers took advantage of this motel boom adding 10 cabins, a kitchen, and a dining room, which marked the birth of Tuggles Gap Motel.
Many descendants and relatives of George and Irene remain in the area today and treasure the moments spent there through the years. But their influence was not on family alone — their restaurant and motel left a lasting impact on the many residents and tourists, and some even credit the motel with drawing them to Floyd.
On a recent social media post, local resident Jason Rutledge said, “Back in ‘66, Tuggles Gap was how I discovered Floyd County. George and Irene Spangler ran it then and we stayed the night there while traveling south. The smell of the outside air the next morning has never left my memory. So glad it’s still going.”
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Reese Evans shared, “I moved to Floyd in January of ‘89, lived out on the back side of Rocky Knob in an old Cabin and George fed me breakfast often. Under his egg carton ceiling was where I spent many days meeting with friends and enjoying the seven years that I lived in Floyd County.”
Claude Arrington said, “My first date with my soulmate, Lark Rakes, was there in 1978, we ate there. I had a 73 GT, I had $8, $3 for gas. We both ate hamburger steaks with mashed potatoes and peas. I will always hold that moment of true love in my heart and mind forever.”
For nearly 40 years the Spanglers operated Tuggles and then in July of 1986, it was sold to Clarence (Bill) Mills and his wife Mary. In the vast history of Tuggles the Mills operated it for a short time, opting to sell it to Neil and her daughter Cheri Baker in July of 1992. Neil and later Cheri would own and operate Tuggles for the next 29 years.
Like many locals, my first job was at Tuggle’s Gap Restaurant. You may not remember my face, however I’m sure you may know another one-time employee, Morgan Wade! Local celebrity and Country Star Morgan Wade frequented the restaurant as a patron and at times employee.
I was employed by Cheri and Neil in 1996-98, starting as a dishwasher but quickly became a server and sometimes cook. The weekends were especially busy and come Sunday, Blue-Ribbon fried chicken was the special, and the customers flocked in for it with mashed potatoes and gravy and green beans. They then had their choice of pie: Apple, Coconut Crème, Chocolate, Tuggle’s Gap, and Pecan if I remember correctly.
Neil retired in the early 2000s and Cheri carried on with the restaurant and motel until she too decided it was time to retire. In August of 2021 Nick Bieneck and his father Bjorn purchased Tuggle’s Gap Restaurant and Motel. They began an extensive remodel and upgrade to the motel, renaming and opening as Tuggle’s Gap Roadside Inn.
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Under the Bienecks, the Inn received some much-needed upgrades. The Inn now features high-speed fiber optic internet, keyless entry, upgraded HVAC, and more. In partnership with Virginia Green Cities, the Bienecks installed two electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. Throughout these upgrades, the Bienecks made sure to honor and preserve the history of Tuggles with small touches, such as refinishing the original hardwood floors, saving old recipes, and displaying old photos reminiscent of times gone by.
Blue Ridge Escapes, a local vacation rental management company, is the newest owner of the Tuggle’s Gap Roadside Inn. With experience servicing Blacksburg, Smith Mountain and Claytor lakes, and the Greenbrier in West Virginia, they offer long and short-term rentals backed by strong infrastructure and prior experience in mortgage lending, real estate, and property management. The new owners, Wallace and Liz Andrus, and T.J. and Whitney Beckett have been a part of and spent a large amount of time in the Floyd community. The time they have spent and enjoyed here had an influence on their desire and decision to purchase Tuggle’s Gap Roadside Inn.
So, fear not Floydians, they are not a large corporate entity come to wipe the beloved Tuggles from existence. They are locals and already a part of our community and they are committed to honoring Tuggle’s legacy, while ushering in a new era.
Blue Ridge Escapes has been amazed and grateful for the outpouring support from the Floyd community as they take on this new endeavor. They are excited to implement their plans and want the community to know that they intend to revitalize it while keeping in touch with its history. Community input is being noted, and they look forward to working with locals and other local businesses. They want to create an environment that makes Tuggle’s Gap Roadside Inn the place to be and make it a Floyd County staple again.
Mark J. Harris
Floyd County Farm Bureau
(540) 745-2021
335 E. Oxford St.
Floyd VA 24091
One of these plans is the restoration of the gas pumps, which will delight the many parkway travelers. In addition, the site will offer a vending-style convenience shop with drinks, snacks and travel necessities for Inn guests and visitors. Discussions are in the works for possible music or other events. Last and certainly not least, Blue Ridge Escapes seeks to lease the restaurant. The community has been clear on their desire for a restaurant to return, and they are eager to support the new tenants.
Tuggle’s Gap Restaurant and Motel will live on through the treasured moments and fond memories of the Floyd community and its many visitors. It represents a simpler time and while we welcome the new, we hold tight that Tuggles will always be on Floyd time.
Follow along for updates about Tuggle's Gap and its operations at www.facebook.com/TugglesGap.