Spotlight: The Wool Factory
Executive Chef Tucker Yoder
Residing at the intersection of Moore’s Creek and the Rivanna River, The Wool Factory offers a choose-your-own atmosphere for visitors. Whether craving a smash burger and a crisp IPA or a 10-course chef’s tasting menu with wine pairings, the edible possibilities are abound.
Open since 2020, the multi-purpose property serves as campus for chefs, wine pros, coffee roasters, brewers and food-lovers. Located at the Historic Woolen Mills site, the venue is home to Selvedge Brewing, upscale eatery Broadcloth, and a bakery, cafe and wine shop dubbed The Workshop.
At the helm of both Selvedge and Broadcloth is executive chef Tucker Yoder, a proponent of local who has been a part of the Wool Factory crew since day one. With a resume that includes Clifton Inn, Oxo, Maya, JM Stock and the Red Hen in Lexington, he’s no stranger to the bounty of purveyors and seasonal produce at his fingertips.
When asked how long Yoder has been working with Cavalier Produce he jokingly replies, “Forever.”
“We first started working with Steve, Denise and Spencer back when I was working at OXO restaurant and have worked with them pretty much everywhere I have been since then,” he says. “Through the years Spencer has introduced me to plenty of different purveyors like Sandia farms and numerous others. Ultimately The folks over there at Cavalier know what I am looking for and am usually looking for something local and delicious.”
While familiar bar classics grace the menu at Selvedge, offerings are also fresh and fun, from a Peruvian roasted chicken to smoked mushroom tacos and curry roasted carrots with tumeric, labneh and puffed grains.
“We want to make food that you want to drink beer with, at the same time we want to have offerings for everyone,”shares Yoder.
On the flipside, Broadcloth presents a chance for Yoder to tap into the finer side of his culinary prowess, and he recommends guests embark on a multi-course experience.
“If you are coming to join us at Broadcloth I would personally go with the Chefs Tasting menu,” says Yoder. “We like to take what we find best in the season and present it over 10-12 courses.”
Since making its debut, the flexibility of The Wool Factory has been part of its appeal. Jumpstart the morning with a coffee from Grit or pastries from Charlottesville's celebrated Cou Cou Rachou, swing by for pints and snacks during happy hour, or schedule a reso for an upcoming date night — the choice is yours.
P.S. We suggest trying the Infi-Knit Trail Session IPA, a citrus-tinged crusher bursting with tropical notes — 10% of sales go the Rivanna Trails Foundation.
