BY MERLE MONAHAN/CONTRIBUTING WRITER
merlemonah@aol.com

IVOR—County Line Tavern has opened on Route 460 east of Ivor.

The 3,000-square-foot tavern features home-cooked meals, a bar, game room, and live music and dancing.

Business has been steady since opening in late summer, said Jeanette Watkins, co-owner and general manager.

Watkins and her partner, the late William E. Witcher Sr., opened the business because they felt there was a need for the area. Witcher’s son, William Jr., has taken over since his father’s death and will help Watkins when needed.

Watkins and the Witcher family have known each other for about 30 years. Watkins used to work for William Witcher Sr. at a restaurant in Virginia Beach.

The partners purchased the building, which had been a restaurant that had been closed for a while.

“We felt our business would help the economy,” Watkins said. “For a start, it has given at least six local people jobs and provides the public with a choice of entertainment.”

She has plans to expand the business.

“We’re already teaching line dancing classes every Monday night from 7 to 9,” she said. “Then we have a gaame room with a pool table. Hopefully we’ll be having tournaments.”

The tavern is also set up for horseshoe and cornhole tournaments and will have an antique car show in the spring.

Watkins hopes to have fundraisers, including poker runs.

“We also have plenty of room for parties and banquets,” she said.

The tavern will be open on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

County Line Tavern opens 11 a.m. daily and will open at 5 a.m. for breakfast during hunting season.

Jerry Lee Scott and his band provide live music on Friday and Saturday nights. There will be other bands on occasion.

County Line Tavern can be reached at 859-6404.