Scott Markham and Lee Markham
By Julie Ann Hodgson
In August of 2022, Scott and Lee Markham opened Treehouse Tavern in the old Bent Mountain Bistro location on Bent Mountain, just about a block from Grateful Mountain Market, formerly Grateful Produce. About twenty-five miles from downtown Floyd on US 221 North, guests can dine in the kind of family-friendly atmosphere the Markhams had been dreaming of for sixteen years.
Lee Markham graduated from James Addison University in 2006 with a degree in art education. About that same time, she was working at Trio Bistro in Downtown Roanoke. This was there that she met her future husband, Scott. Lee’s main work, however, was teaching preschool. It’s not where she thought her degree would take her, but she quickly came to love it.
Scott has worked in the restaurant industry for many years. From 2003 – 2005, he was General Manager at 419 West in Roanoke. Then he went to Trio Bistro where he was General Manager until 2007. Staying in the same industry, but moving to sales, Scott then worked for US Foods and PFG in food sales until 2015. Prior to opening Treehouse Tavern, Scott was working in credit card sales.
Scott and Lee married in 2008 and started their family with son, Max, who was born in 2011. This was perfect for Lee, as the activities of raising young children went hand in hand with the activities involved with teaching preschool.
Though they were both natives of South Roanoke, Scott and Lee were drawn to the scenic views and peaceful setting of Mt. Chestnut, which is just a ten-minute drive from the Bent Mountain community. In 2013, they finally left the city behind and relocated their family to the mountains. Two years after the move, they welcomed second son, Mason, born in 2015.
Even from the beginning of their new lives together, Scott and Lee began talking and dreaming of opening their own restaurant. They brainstormed ideas. It would be more than just a restaurant. It would also be a comfortable space with warm and welcoming energy. It would draw in community and provide a place for gathering and food that nourished both the body and soul.
For years, the Markhams made observations, took notes, and collected recipes. They even experimented with cooking techniques as they lovingly fed their own children, as well as extended family and friends. Scott and Lee make an excellent pair in the kitchen, remembering lessons learned from late nights shared in the Trio Bistro.
In more recent times, the Markhams began feeling the universe nudging them closer and closer to taking that leap to turn their family restaurant dream into a reality. They’d had their eye on spaces around Roanoke for as long as they could remember, taking note of special touches like outdoor dining areas and family-friendly atmospheres. They kept note of all the features they also hoped to have in their future eatery.
In 2020, even as the universe began nudging the Markhams, it saw the closure of the iconic Bent Mountain Bistro on US 221 N in Bent Mountain. As fate would have it, Scott and the landlord of the building, Jim Woltz, had a mutual friend in common. As Scott often talked about opening a restaurant, when Woltz mentioned he wanted another restaurant to occupy the building, it was easy to connect the dots and bring to two men together.
The Markhams immediately said yes to the amazing offer, and to prove the timing was right, another perfect opportunity presented itself almost immediately.
“The Gauntlet” is a Roanoke-based business program and competition that connects hopeful entrepreneurs with experienced and willing businesses for valuable mentorship and resources.
“We were trying to do go through The Gauntlet while trying to open the restaurant at the same time,” says Lee.
However, Scott already had a background in restaurant management, as well as sales of restaurant supplies, food, and credit card systems. Along with Lee’s experience and talent in art, design, restaurant service, and cooking, they already possessed many of the important skills required for opening a business. In the end, the Markhams won Silver in the competition, and the experience afforded them a much-appreciated business education at just the right time. The business education and the connections they made really helped them get off on the right foot. “Anything you need as you’re opening your business,” says Lee, “they know who you need to talk to.”
While participating in The Gauntlet, Scott and Lee were also spending a lot of time and effort on updating the existing space to make Treehouse Tavern their own. They put in new lighting and plants to make the space feel warmer and more inviting. They also did a lot of cleaning and repair.
Even as the building was taking shape, the Markhams also worked with their new cooks, Scott Mertz and Josh Hankins, to build a core menu of solid offerings. They planned for pulled pork BBQ, cooked low and slow in the existing smoker, served with 
homemade sauces. There would also be burgers, grilled on the flat-top and served on perfectly toasted buns. The Treehouse Tavern menu would also feature specialty sandwiches like the Cuban as well as a killer meatloaf sandwich. Finally, from the 700+ degree, wood-fired brick oven, there would be pizza made with traditional flavors, as well as pizza that would feature Vegan toppings or gluten-free crust.
In July of 2022, Treehouse Tavern opened for take-out only. On August 11, however, the restaurant opened to the public! Lee tells us that those first couple of weeks were really hectic, trying to figure everything out. But it was also really exciting! They had a lot of support from the community, and everyone was there to get their dream off to a magnificent start. It was a perfect time to welcome their third child, daughter Delia, who was born just two months later in October!
Since opening, the menu has grown to include salads, chili, wings, and ribs from the smoker, as well as many other specials like shrimp over cheesy grits that could rival anything you’d find in Charleston! Appetizers like chili cheese or BBQ nachos, flatbread with homemade pimento cheese, and smoked salmon are also popular. They’ve also added plenty of sides, including cornbread that melts in your mouth, plus homemade brownies, and Hershey’s ice cream!
Looking toward the future, the Markhams have many more hopes and dreams for their long-awaited restaurant. They want to create a menu that appeals to all ages, especially young or picky eaters, and they plan to have rotating specials that showcase local or seasonal ingredients. As for the aesthetic of the location, they hope to add many more creative touches, such as fresh flowers from their garden, arranged by Lee’s mom, Mary Anne Marx, and wall murals from local artist, Maggie Perrin-Key. Plans are also in the works to expand the outdoor seating, and to create a patio for live music.
Since opening Treehouse Tavern in the old Bent Mountain Bistro building, the Markhams have come to realize that fate led them to the perfect location. They’ve been delighted to find that it’s a hub for all the wonderful people of Floyd, Back Creek, Cave Spring, and greater Roanoke. Of course, it’s also the perfect place to be, among the extremely welcoming, local folks of the close-knit Bent Mountain community.
Being less than five miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway entrance/exit, they also found the ideal location to serve Parkway travelers looking for a good meal.
Visitors to Treehouse Tavern can expect the warm feel of a community watering hole, complete with patrons of all ages. While guests enjoy appetizers or special drinks, children might wander past the patio to explore the back field.
Despite it still being a small operation, Scott and his team provide prompt, excellent, and friendly service to their guests. The Markhams attribute much of their initial success to chef, Scott Mertz, as well as pizza chef, Josh Hankins, and a supportive, experienced staff. Guests can be sure that the team at Treehouse Tavern endeavors to make every meal exceptional and every experience so pleasant that it will bring folks back to Bent Mountain again and again!
With Scott hard at work in all aspects of the business, Lee and the kids can often be found helping in the front of house, keeping a close eye on details large and small. After all, this restaurant was their dream come true, and the whole Markham Family is in the effort together. Their lives are intricately connected to Treehouse Tavern, and they hope to welcome everyone to their family’s special spot!
Treehouse Tavern • 540-929-4242
Scott and Lee Markham
9607 Bent Mountain Road, Bent Mountain, VA
www.facebook.com/TreehouseTavernRoanoke