RAPHINE - White's Travel Center is like a mini-town. It's a travel hub off Interstate 81 in Raphine. The interstate near it sees more than 24,000 cars and trucks daily, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.
There's a doctor's office, a movie theater, deli, barbershop, laundry services and more. Trucks pull in, travelers on I-81 get gas or food. Semis and other motorists filter into the center like a constant turntable of traffic.
Although it now looks a little different.
Signs are up noting that people should observe the proper social distance of six feet and to inform customers to wear mask inside. It's a bit more rushed and customers are keeping their distance. But, people are still traveling along I-81. Trucks are still making deliveries. The travel center is still up and running.
Morale is good, according to Mellyora Mason, marketing director for the travel center.
"The employees have embraced the 'new norm,'" she said. "I do have drivers who ask questions. They travel from state to state and each stop has different mandates or no mandates. They seemed to have adapted to the new circumstances with acceptance and a sense of humor."
White's Travel Center didn't see a major decrease in car traffic when the pandemic first arrived in March, according to Mason.
Traffic along I-81 near Raphine have been down 10% in August, according to VDOT numbers. This time last year, that section of I-81 saw 26,899 vehicles. Now, it's 24,267 vehicles.
The businesses inside the center, especially the restaurants, were affected significantly due to the initial governor-ordered shutdown.
Caribou Coffee and The Iron Skillet were closed due to the governor's mandate and other fast food facilities were only open for carry-out only. The food court's dining area was closed, Mason said.
"Tourism is huge in Rockbridge County, especially in late spring and summer," Mason said. "The demand for gasoline was down. Motor coaches that normally would have stopped in with school children, private tours, athletic teams etcetera ceased completely."
The travel center is considered an essential business and was allowed to stay partially open, Mason said.
"We tried to find jobs for the employees whose businesses closed other employment within the facility," she said.
When Phase 2 started in June, and the travel center was able to reopen the restaurant to half capacity. Menus are now disposable paper menus, there's no salt and pepper shakers or condiments at the tables.
"I would definitely say that this has been a challenging time for our business," Mason said. "It seemed like each week we were all waiting anxiously for changes from Richmond regarding protocol. But, it is also very satisfying to see how well our employees and management teams were able to address the issues and move forward. These are lessons we can apply day to day now and in the future ... a silver lining."
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The center's theater is being used at 50% capacity either for Sunday chapel or for movies for drivers, Mason said. The showers on premise are cleaned and disinfected thoroughly after each use.
"They are a necessity for drivers who have no other option," she said.
Every employee is required to wear a mask at the travel center, unless they have a specific medical issue. There's plexiglass shields installed around every register and hand sanitizer available for customers and employees. Customers entering the building are also asked to wear a mask — many are compliant, but others are not.
"We have always prided ourselves in having a clean and well maintained business, but now we pay even more attention to sanitizing and disinfecting," Mason said.
Suzie Rowe, who is the manager at the barbershop, remained home and not working until May 15. That's when she was able to work, but with strict regulations in place — mask required, cleaning and sanitation methods between each customer and appointments only.
"Upon first opening we were overwhelmed with business due to the fact no one had a haircut for two months," she said. "Once we had caught up business currently is affected summer is usually our busiest time of year."
According to Rowe, many drivers have continued to work through the pandemic and most of their regular customers have been understanding of the regulations.
According to the CDC, travel does increase your chance of getting or spreading COVID-19.
Those traveling should:
- Wear a mask to keep your nose and mouth covered when in public settings.
- Avoid close contact by staying at least 6 feet apart from anyone who is not from your household.
- Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol).
- Avoid contact with anyone who is sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
White's Travel center, located off I-81's exit 205, has seen significant growth.
The travel center, which is a Petro location, has been expanding significantly since 2013, with adding new parking spaces and more services.
Back in 2015, the center announced a 25,000-square-foot expansion, called Destination Station at White's, includes a Popeye's, Subway, Caribou Coffee, a made-in Virginia store, an expanded travel store, a 32-seat movie theater, barber and beauty shop, coin-operated pet wash, new showers, new laundry room and a pharmacy. That expansion included an additional 126-seat eating area.
Quaker Steak & Lube announced it signed a development agreement on in 2018 with Robert Berkstresser, owner of the White’s Travel Center.
Some of the initiatives put forth at White's Travel Center during COVID-19 include:
- Increased cleaning and sanitizing routines for common touch points including showers, restrooms, fuel dispensers and fuel pumps
- Employees and customers are required to wear face coverings
- Hand sanitizer is available for employees and customers
- All are encouraged to follow CDC recommendations of social distancing
- Following state and local health department regulations in all stores, individually wrapping food products including hot dogs, pretzels, apples, donuts and pastries
- Following state and local orders for occupancy restrictions in our restaurants and are implementing a number of additional safety measures using CDC recommendations
- Our employees are advised to practice preventive safety measures, including frequent hand washing and staying home when feeling ill
- Temporarily closed driver lounges, TV rooms and fitness centers and are limiting capacity in laundry facilities
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You can reach reporter Laura Peters at lpeters@newsleader.com. Follow her @peterslaura.
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