From Floyd Mayor Will Griffin comes word that the planned April 5 reopening of The Republic of Floyd has been pushed back to an indefinite date because of delays caused in dealing with the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control folks.

The establishment’s ABC license expired with the tragic and untimely death of Tom Ryan in January and the popular establishment on Locust Street has remained closed since.  A collective of family and friends of Tom had hoped to have the shop reopened on the April 5 date but too many details will need to be worked out to meet that date.

But the store’s new owners are certain they will be worked out and the store will reopen soon even if they have to do so before a new ABC license is in place.

The return of the store is welcome.  We all feel Tom’s absence and miss him.