Clifton Forge, VA (Jan. 8, 2026)— The Planning Commission met this evening in Clifton Forge Town Hall to discuss a conditional use permit (C.U.P.) requested by Sameh Alhayek. A C.U.P., this writer has learned, is a permit which allows a property owner to use their land/building in a way that is not usually authorized under zoning laws.
Alhayek, the owner of the building that once housed the VA ABC store at 531 Main Street in Clifton Forge, also owns the facility next door (533 Main Street), which is currently operating as Royal Vape Inc. Recently, Alhayek filled out a C.U.P. seeking approval to turn the former ABC store into a downtown arcade for children. According to Brad Balser, Property Maintenance Offical/Code Compliance for the Town of Clifton Forge, the arcade would target children between the ages of 5-10.
A few concerns were brought forth by members of the Planning Commission, as well as Town Manager Chuck Unroe during tonight's meeting. Among them were location, littering and cigarette butts in the area, and the condition of the building. However, all of Alhayek's paperwork was properly filled out, and, as David Oeltjen noted, it would "be another reason to come to Clifton Forge."
At the end of the meeting, the Planning Commission decided to move on to the next step with Alhayek's C.U.P. Therefore, on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at the regularly scheduled 7:00 p.m. Clifton Forge Town Council Meeting at Town Hall, a public hearing will be held to discuss the matter further.
|  | Town Manager Chuck Unroe seemed to be deep in thought as Brad Balser, Property Maintenance Offical/Code Compliance for the Town of Clifton Forge, described Samett Alhayek's idea for an arcade.
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