BY STEFANIE JACKSON BOWMANN, Eastern Shore Post —
Northampton County is officially selling the historic Eastville Inn to a private buyer.
The board of supervisors agreed in 2023 to part with the county-owned property and sell it for $250,000 to John Greenside, a Virginia Beach attorney.
He has been spending the last year repairing and restoring the inn, which has a history dating back to 1724.
Greenside plans to open a restaurant on the main floor of the inn, possibly as early as October.
The upstairs, when finished, will be a bed-and-breakfast inn with up to 12 guest rooms.
Greenside presented a project update to county supervisors in July.
He has been following the terms of the sales agreement, maintaining the inn’s historic exterior appearance while taking creative license with the interior design and performing major renovations.
Northampton supervisors were satisfied with the report and, upon the recommendation of County Administrator Charlie Kolakowski, unanimously passed the final resolution to sell the Eastville Inn, including completing and filing the deed of bargain and sale and its accompanying plat.
Northampton County spent many years leasing the Eastville Inn, which was home to several restaurants and a catering business.
But none of the businesses lasted more than a few years, and the historic inn largely remained in a state of disrepair.
Now “all the right investments” are being made to restore and preserve the historic inn, Kolakowski said.
According to the deed, Northampton retains the right of first refusal, meaning if Greenside ever decides to sell the Eastville Inn, he must offer it to the county first.
County Attorney
Northampton County is searching for a new county attorney following the recent departure of its former county attorney, Michelle Clayton.
Clayton recommended Richmond law firm Hefty, Wiley & Gore to provide interim legal counsel to the county.
Kolakowski noted that the firm could not provide all of Northampton’s desired legal services, such as having an attorney attend every county supervisors meeting in person.
However, Hefty, Wiley & Gore is “a solid legal firm for us to consult with and to work on various projects to keep things moving while we continue to search for a full-time county attorney,” he said.
Northampton supervisors voted unanimously to permit Kolakowski to sign the agreement to receive legal services from Hefty, Wiley & Gore.
According to the proposal, the Richmond law firm will charge a flat fee of $8,000 per month for its services.
If Northampton County finds a local attorney to attend supervisors meetings, the law firm would drop the flat fee to $6,000 per month.
