UNION HALL, Va. (WDBJ) – Just because summer is on the horizon doesn’t mean things around the lake will close for the winter. Quite the opposite for a restaurant in Franklin County that offers the serenity of the lake with very good food. We are swimming towards it Magnum Point Marina and Restaurant within this week Hometown Dishes!

“We’re not luxury here by any means, but it’s fun for you to come out and hang out with us,” said Lauren Carter, owner of Magnum Point Marina & Restaurant.

“What more can I say, come to Magnum Point,” added regular customer Barbara.

There is something special about life at the lake. It’s peaceful, and no matter what time of year it is, you can always expect to see a friendly face at Union Hall. Welcome to Magnum Point Marina & Restaurant on Old Salem School Road.

“For me, this is everything, my whole life,” Carter said.

This place has been a part of owner Lauren Carter’s life since before she was born.

“I guess we can say this is our home. There is a full-service marina, a full-service restaurant, bar and the works,” Carter explained.

Originally built and opened by her family in 1986, Lauren learned the value of hard work and how to create a dish or two that would bring people back.

“A lot of these people who are my regulars watched me grow up and now they’re watching my kids grow up, they’re like family to us,” Carter said.

“We’ve known her since she was a little girl pumping gas here. They treat you like family, so it’s a nice place to come too,” said regular customer Dennis.

“Everyone here says you’re like family, but when my regulars come in, most of the time they don’t even have to order. We take care of everyone,” Carter added.

One of the many ways to do this is to address various food allergies.

“We have gluten-free pizza dough, gluten-free hamburger buns, veggie burgers,” Carter said.

“I’m allergic to a lot of food, so they cook it without spices and don’t put mayonnaise on it. I don’t have to worry about something I can’t have there,” said regular customer Nancy.

It’s not just the fish that’s super fresh, the beef also comes from around the corner.

“For their beef, they use local beef,” Nancy said.

“Literally a minute and a half down the road is Diamond S Farms. He delivers to me weekly,” Carter said.

Even your mental health can take a break from the calming views from the deck.

“Look across the lake and watch a flock of geese glide by. It’s a great time,” said Barbara.

“So we added the enclosure so people can see this view year-round. We turn the heat on and we have glass windows, it’s comfortable,” Carter said.

Inside it’s all about family history; both Laurens and their business partner, Captain John Mathena. Patriot Fishing Charters.

“John is a great fisherman and the boat has his late mother’s name on it, it is named after her. The first water ski my father learned to ski on hangs on the wall. We want people to sit at the bar and hang out for a while, and these bar stools are the most comfortable stools you’ll ever sit on. Dollars on the wall, we tell everyone to leave their mark and if you go in and those dollars are gone, that means I’m out and retired. I tell people that, but they know I’ll always be here,” Carter explained.

While Lauren isn’t close to retirement, she’s ready to do it all day long despite her parents having nothing to do.

“I’m ready for them to retire and do what they want to do, so it’s important for me to keep that going. “It’s been around since the ’80s, and not many marinas and restaurants can say that.”

Until then, you’ll still find Mama Ann in the kitchen whipping up favorites: the Patriot Burger, meat lovers’ pizza, fried catfish bites, and the Rueben sandwich with hand-cut potato chips.

“I want them to say it was worth the drive through the woods to get to you, or it was worth the long walk across the lake to get to you. I want them to say, ‘Yes, it was worth it, I’m coming back,'” Carter said.

Magnum Point Marina & Restaurant is a hometown meal by the lake year-round!

Magnum Point Marina & Restaurant is located at 2200 Old Salem School Rd, Union Hall, VA 24176 and is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Closed on Wednesday.

Magnum Point is hosting a food campaign starting November 1 Feeding Southwest Virginia. You can drop off your cash or non-perishable food donations at the restaurant at any time during business hours between November 1 and December 14.

They also prepare a first aid meal, complete with silent auction items. All money raised will be given back to the community for those in need.

You can find more information about charity meals HERE.

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