The Curious Case of Covert Cafe

Matthew Fuerlinger, Staff Writer

Covert Cafe is one of the hidden gems of Fauquier County. The food is good, the atmosphere is nice, and the history behind the building is very interesting. But between the opening of Farm Station Cafe and the rise of COVID-19, it’s a wonder the place is still standing. It’s known across Fauquier County as a historically themed diner, made on the grounds of a former CIA base of operations. Within the restaurant, there are many different infographics about the Cold War, which makes it a very interesting place to visit. The Covert Cafe is a staple of the Vint Hill area.

However, unease is growing among employees and customers alike over rumors of closing. Fears about the closing down of one of the best restaurants in Vint Hill have only been extended by the recent renovations. The restaurant will be closed from February 28th to March 6th due to renovations. The nature of these renovations are unknown, but there is more to this story than just a misunderstanding. Many people have expressed fear over the closing of the cafe. Locals are scared and confused over these rumors. Covert Cafe is an essential part of Vint Hill, so it can’t close, right?

After talking with an employee of Covert Cafe by the name of Garrett, it appears that the restaurant will be changing hands from the current owners to new ones. According to Garrett, there will be no immediate menu change. That being said, things are going to change slowly within the restaurant, with the most obvious being the closing for renovations. Along with this, there may be slight changes to the menu. Garrett sheds some light on the future of the restaurant, stating, “Under the new ownership, I could see it taking more of a Mexican food approach, but the transition will be extremely slow.” While this is not an official statement from the owners of Covert Cafe, Garrett is a hardworking employee at the establishment. It should be noted that Garrett’s statement should be taken with a grain of salt as he is not an owner. The future is unpredictable, but hopefully this hidden gem will be able to persevere for generations to come.