Third-generation family business purchased by Virginia Beach Realtor
By Randy Arrington
LURAY, July 11 — Following knee surgery in 2023, Jared Weimer was looking to diversify his investments, so he called “100 motel owners up and down the Blue Ridge mountains.” Nine were potentially interested in selling and willing to give him a tour — one in North Carolina, where his brother works in the hospitality industry, and the rest in Virginia. One of those willing to serve as tour guide was third-generation owner Alan “Bud” Griffith of Hillside Motel.
“I’m originally from upstate New York and I love anything active outdoors,” Weimer said, noting the natural resources surrounding Luray. “It brings families together.”
The Virginia Beach Realtor was familiar with Hillside after bringing his kids to visit the Page Valley multiple times over the past eight years. In August of 2024, Weimer closed on the property and then sunk another $400,000 into renovating and updating electrical and plumbing systems, installing new flooring and light fixtures, upgrading wifi access, and fixing up the pool. Upgrades also included the addition of “smart locks”, which allow patrons to enter their rooms at any time of day by using key cards sent digitally to their phones.
One week after Independence Day, the Luray-Page County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting to commemorate the re-opening of Hillside Motel, now under new management.
“We want to thank Jared for investing here and keeping this business open in Page County,” Chamber President Gina Hilliard told those in attendance at the July 11 event.
“Welcome to the county,” said District 2 supervisor Allen Louderback. “I’m so glad you were so pleased and enthused [with your visits] that you came back to invest in the county.”
In 1942, Samuel Henry “Sporty” Griffith and Violet Mae Clatterbuck Griffith first opened Hillside Motel along Route 211 just east of Luray. They would pass it on to their son, Samuel Henry “Sam” Griffith Jr., who passed away four years ago at the age of 79. In 2022, the Chamber presented his son, Alan “Bud” Griffith, with the Hospitality Business of the Year award during its annual banquet.
“This motel has been operating since 1942 as a small, family-owned motel just a few minutes from Shenandoah National Park. For more than 80 years, this motel has been family owned and operated, and has offered countless visitors and locals a comfortable place to call home during their time in Page County,” the award presenter said of Hillside in 2022. “Staying open for that long is quite an accomplishment and is something to be celebrated. They have thrived because of their friendly staff, comfortable rooms and accommodations, and reasonable rates.”
According to both the past and present owners, as well as longtime staff, Hillside has become a “home away from home” for many visitors who have been returning annually for decades. And they all seem to echo the same reasons for their repeat visits.
“The cleanliness, friendliness, the pool and mostly just it’s a quite area where they can look at the mountains,” said 14-year employee Judy Bradt. “Some of the people have been coming here 30 or 40 years.”
“The family atmosphere and relationships with staff and the home feel keep them coming back,” said new manager Samantha Ballew, “and we are happy to welcome past and future guests. We are really excited for the future.”
“It’s nice because you remember them and they remember you, and sometimes we keep up on Facebook,” said front desk clerk Lori Wright, who is also Samantha’s mom. “We’ve had people coming here who are bringing their grandchildren now.”
Weimer also credits his dedicated staff heavily for the long-term success of the lodging venue. The entrepreneur recognizes that the Page Valley has a lot of short-term rental options, from an array of B&Bs (and Airbnbs), campgrounds and hotel options, to plush cabins and vacation rentals. However, he believes that Hillside offers “something in the middle.”
“With our pricing and our accommodations and our amenities, I think we fit into a niche’ somewhere in the middle and that seems to be what a lot of people are looking for,” Weimer said.
The Virginia Beach investor acknowledges that there is still more to do, pointing to the sign out front that only lights up the “TEL” of Motel. He says he may drop the “Motel” portion of the location’s name, but he plans to keep “Hillside” and the legacy that the Griffith family left behind.
“It’s sometimes hard for me to believe I was able to pull this together. There’s a lot more that goes into it than I would have imaged. It’s been a big learning experience,” Weimer said. “I told the previous owner I wanted to carry over their legacy…and we’re looking for ways to get involved and give back to the community.”
“Everyone has been very gracious and helpful…we just want to carry on the legacy and tradition that they started here,” he repeated. “Clean, affordable amenities that people would like to return to year after year is all we’re striving for.”
Hillside Motel is located at 1460 US Hwy 211 East in Luray.
For more information, call them at (540) 743-6322
or visit them online at https://hillsideluray.com/
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