Bluegrass Grill, just off of the Downtown Mall in Charlottesville, is a multiple time award-winning brunch spot, boasting a creative and diverse menu. The small dining room plays host to the after-church crowd, as well as the family who just can't get out the door early enough for actual breakfast, making it one of the premier places to grab brunch in Charlottesville. While it is a favorite, it's demographic isn't as diverse of a spot like Beer Run, which helps Bluegrass Grill serve a niche in the community. 

 

 

Age

When I approched Bluegrass Grill, there is a line that extends out of the door and into the parking lot, despite the fact that there is a brisk wind and a good amount of sleet falling from the sky. Right off of the bat, it is obvious that Bluegrass Grill is a big deal. 

 

Upon further investigation, it seems that my group (made up of three college students) is the only group that is not a family.

 

Unlike Beer Run, Bluegrass Grill lends itself to accomodating larger groups. Most tables can fit at least five, with a few tables being able to fit six to seven people. This enables families to dine together, unlike at Beer Run.

 

The ability to serve families means that the age demographic of Bluegrass Grill goes all the way down to the younger end of the spectrum. The interesting thing about the Bluegrass Grill is that it also goes far to the older end of the spread, meaning that its age demogrpahic is almost all encompassing. 

 

By being just off the downtown mall, Bluegrass is conveniently located just of the routes of many public transit routes, making it easier for elderly people who are unable to operate a vehicle to get there. According to the CDC, about 10% of older men and 15% of older women reported cutting back on driving due to a physical problem in the last year, and 44% of older drivers said that they avoid driving in heavy traffic. This means that less elderly people are willing to travel unless necessary. By being able to take public transit right to the doorstep of Bluegrass Grill, the elderly are able to overcome obstacles that are created by the inability to drive. 

 

While it seems as though the age demographic of the Bluegrass Grill would be all-encompassing, there is one conspicuous hole that can be seen simply off of observation. The college-age age bracket is under represented in comparison to the representation of other age demogrpahics. 

 

This missing section of the age spread can be confusing, as there are no obvious obstacles to college students being able to dine at Bluegrass Grill. Prices are well within the budget of a college student (about $20 a day is the national average), public transit runs right past the location, and alcoholic drinks are served to satiate the appetite of any college kid (4 out of 5 college students drink alcohol according to the NIH.) 

 

Some light can be shed on why the under-representation exists, however, when one consults the patrons of Bluegrass Grill. 

 

Adam Visokay, a long-time patron of Bluegrass Grill used to come to Bluegrass Grill with his mother after dentist appointments, as his doctor was nearby. 

 

Visokay says that his favorite part of the Bluegrass Grill is, "The homey feel that the decor creates. I love the different mugs and the vibes you get from the service there."

 

Bluegrass Grill is a tradition that starts with parents bringing their children to the brunch spots, and continues to trickle down the generational ladder, parent passing down to child. Patrons feel like they are part of the family, so they continue to share the experience with their offspring.

 

As most of the students at University of Virginia are from outside of Charlottesville, they do not share the same collective history as those who live inside Charlottesvilles borders, leaving them without a tradition of Bluegrass Grill brunch on Sundays, thus creating a hole in the age demogrpahic where "college students" should fall.