Ashland’s New “Eatertainment” Venue
The landmark Ashland Coffee & Tea has been imaginatively reinvented as Canteen by owner Cate Hawks and new partners Jason Alley and Michele Jones. The restaurant boasts great food and fun games, with a deep commitment to the community.
In the center of Downtown Ashland—at Railroad Avenue and Route 54--Canteen is a funky casual eatery that fits the neighborhood vibe. For over 20 years, Ashland Coffee & Tea served the public with food and entertainment. Canteen looks to build upon that foundation and to evolve.
The new restaurant offers an expansive breakfast and lunch menu, while brewing locally roasted coffees, whole leaf teas, and tisanes. Craft beer, wine, and specialty mimosas are also on tap! Outdoor and indoor seating is available, and you will find lawn games and live music to make the dining experience complete.
““We call this concept ‘eatertainment’ because we want to provide customers enjoyable dining AND a fun experience.”
Jason Alley”
Jason Alley and Michele Jones bring a wealth of culinary experience from recent Richmond ventures Comfort, Pasture, Flora, and Bingo. This summer, the partners offered Cate Hawks a proposal to expand the Ashland Coffee & Tea model for modern diners. Hawks agreed, and the idea went into motion very quickly—with less than two weeks for renovation and launch!
The concept of Canteen references the restaurant’s theme and its charity mission. The mid-century decorations in bright colors with an outdoorsy theme recall the old-fashioned fun of summer camp. To make the experience complete, try your hand at cornhole or ring toss, hear a local band, and watch the freight trains as they roll by. Alley explains, “We call this concept ‘eatertainment’ because we want to provide customers enjoyable dining and a fun experience. There is no restaurant quite like this in downtown Ashland. We offer a unique, fun, relaxed environment.”
Cate Hawks and Jason Alley pause for a photo
As Canteen develops a new culinary menu, the team wishes to share the delicacies with everyone. Canteen customers have the option to “pay it forward” and donate a meal for those who can’t afford one. “We strive to do better for our community through an ‘Eat Well, Do Good’ restaurant model,” says Hawks. “We use profits to help children in foster care go to summer camp. We feed people who are hungry, anyone who needs to eat. Our whole team holds the strongest belief in serving this community.”
With local roots, delicious food, & entertaining elements, don’t miss Canteen at 100 N. Railroad Ave, Ashland, VA 23005.
