Comments on: The Library closes after 33 years

By: John "Baron" Beatty

John "Baron" Beatty — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 06:11:58 +0000

Without The Library Roanoke has less class – it was the known best hi-end dining spot in SW Va – I worked there briefly in the 1980′s on my way out of town – played ping pong with Lowell 1 nite at my Salem house I shared with Woody Windley and 2 others – Lowell is a great tennis & ping pong player – I now publish a newspaper in Palm Beach where I live – google Palm Beach Sun – it comes up 1st –
I always had a good time in Roanoke – especially when me & some of my pals (Richie Pence, Tom Enders) scored jobs at the opening of the Airport Marriott – carefree days I wish for again – once a Roanoker always a Roanoker – Here’s to you Lowell – now you can enjoy more of that Sweet Virginia breeze!

By: Tim Spradling

Tim Spradling — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 21:42:01 +0000

Will miss my annual dinner at the Library. I first ate at a Library Restaurant in Greensboro, NC during the mid 70s and then later at the Myrtle Beach location on annual trips there after the Greensboro location closed. I discovered the Roanoke location in the mid 90s and ate with them annually during the early fall when the leaves were changing colors on the parkway. Gregory and I had a common interest in cars and food (I owned a fast food restaurant in Greensboro and have a classic little sports car convertible I always drove on the parkway trip from Fancy Gap to Roanoke).

Hoping the best for Gregory and his Partner.

By: Al Kimel

Al Kimel — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 13:40:13 +0000

I am so disappointed to hear this news. The Library has been our favorite restaurant in Roanoke since we moved here over four years ago. For birthdays and anniversarys the Library has been our restaurant of choice, the one place where one could experience elegant, intimate dining–a throwback to the great restaurants of a half century ago.

Gregory was the consummate host. He always greeted me as “Mr. Kimel” and remembered details from our previous visits. We always felt like we had been invited into his home.

The food was uniformly excellent, but in the end I always chose the Steak Diane. Where else can one find Steak Diane?

The Library will be greatly missed. Roanoke is impoverished by its closing.

This is disappointing news indeed.

By: Ed

Ed — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 13:44:56 +0000

My wife and I drove from Lynchburg many times. The service was the most elegant of any restaurant any where. Lowell and all the staff made you feel so special. We hope you will open another restaurant soon if possible.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 17:45:41 +0000

@mommaduck, No, I don’t feel a bit bad about what I spend dining out. I work hard for what I have and if I want to enjoy an expensive meal that is just what I am going to do. I already donate a lot of my time and money to worthy causes so no, I will not be donating the money that I would have spent at The Library to a food bank. I will be spending it at another establishment which will not only add to the enjoyment of my life, it will also help keep someone employed and out of the food bank line.

By: Vickie

Vickie — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 16:17:15 +0000

Not to try to start an argument here, but how do you know the patrons of The Library don’t donate generously, if not to the foodbank, then to other deserving charities? Making statements such as the one in your post doesn’t contribute to charitable feelings from possible donors. Maybe instead of vitriol, use of a pleasant invitation would help your cause. After all, you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar!

By: Lindsey Nair

Lindsey Nair — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 23:42:21 +0000

@David, Mr. Hill left me a voicemail message on Wednesday confirming the closure and making the comments quoted in the article. He did not get back to me yet so I don’t know the exact ownership situation.
@Debbie, I don’t know. I’ll ask.

By: david

david — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 22:20:24 +0000

The Library had no bar. All upscale locations have a bar, wich is what diners now expect. They were probably limited by space.

By: david

david — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 21:22:11 +0000

I thought Gregory was part owner, but no mention in the articles. Was I wrong?

By: mommaduck46

mommaduck46 — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 20:38:32 +0000

With food becoming more expensive, the over $100 a meal could easily cost at The Library, did their patrons ever feel a tad guilty of spending what some families could use for 2 or more weeks on their grocery bill. Probably not but as people say “S–t rolls down hill and I guess it just passed The Library.

May all the patrons can donate what they would have spent there to a local foodbank,