Broadway business owner and builder Zach Roberts has never been one to sit still. From his early days helping establish local eateries to his latest venture—a dual-concept destination on Timber Way—Roberts continues to shape Broadway’s small-town charm with big ideas and hard work.
A Two-in-One Destination
Roberts, along with business partner Tim Lapp, recently broke ground on a new development just off Timber Way that will bring two new experiences under one roof: Sweets and The Tap Garden.
“Sweets will be much like what people already know and love,” Roberts explained. “We’ll have ice cream, hand-dipped and soft serve, candy by the pound, chocolates, and a full line of drinks—dirty sodas, boba teas, refreshers, milkshakes, and hot drinks.”
The Sweets side will also feature fresh-baked pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and grab-and-go lunch options such as salads and sandwiches, all centered on what Roberts calls “big flavor and convenience.”
The other side of the building will house The Tap Garden, offering about 30 taps, including private-label drafts, local craft beers, and favorite domestics. While The Tap Garden won’t brew beer on-site, it will serve up casual favorites like burgers, handhelds, appetizers, and a few entrees—all in an atmosphere designed for friends, families, and food lovers alike.
A Space for Community
Inside, the Tap Garden will seat about 60 guests, with a private party room available for reservation. Outside, Roberts envisions a welcoming patio with gazebo-style seating, fire pits, and even inflatable igloos for the colder months.
“We’re really going for a fun, comfortable place that feels like a destination right here in Broadway,” Roberts said. “We want it to be somewhere people want to stay and hang out.”
Family at the Heart
Sweets will continue to be a family-run business. Roberts’ daughter Laurel manages the current operation and will continue that role at the new brick-and-mortar location. His wife, Lacey, plans to help with special events and community outreach, while daughter Maggie also hopes to be involved in some capacity.
“It’s truly a family effort,” Roberts said. “Even my dad, Randy Roberts, is helping on the construction side. He’s a master electrician, plumber, and HVAC technician—so we’ve got a lot of talent under one roof.”
Roberts, a licensed Class A contractor, will handle much of the construction himself, continuing his hands-on approach from concept to completion.
Looking Ahead
Ground has been broken and site work is underway, though final permits are still pending. Roberts hopes to open the Sweets side of the new building by late spring 2026, with The Tap Garden following soon after.
The existing Sweets trailer on Main Street will remain open year-round. “We listened to our customers,” Roberts said. “A lot of people love that spot and didn’t want to see it go. So we’re keeping it open and will see how both locations do.”
Broadway’s Growing Flavor Scene
Roberts, who also helped launch Leona’s Place years ago (now the Gobbler Grill) and the original Suite Escape (now Fat Boys), sees Broadway as a town on the rise.
“I think Broadway is really becoming an up-and-coming location,” he said. “Between the variety of restaurants we already have—Town & Country, Italian Touch, Beards & Broads, and others—there’s a lot happening. People don’t need to go to Harrisonburg for a good meal or a night out anymore. They can stay right here in the 22815.”
A Hometown Closing Thought
As I drove past the site the other day and saw Zach and Tim moving dirt with their mini excavator, it hit me that this is exactly the kind of energy that keeps small towns like Broadway growing. It’s not big developers or chain stores—it’s families, friends, and neighbors who roll up their sleeves and build something lasting together.
I, for one, can’t wait to sit down with a burger from The Tap Garden, enjoy a milkshake from Sweets, and watch people from our community gather in a place that was dreamed up and built by one of our own.
