Roanoke Hooters closes
Roanoke has lost its only Hooters location as part of the fallout from a Richmond bankruptcy filing.
On Monday, the parking lot of the Williamson Road restaurant was empty and signs hanging on the front doors stated that the property had been reclaimed by the landlord, Spirit Master Funding III of Phoenix.
“Because of lease defaults, the Tenant has no right to possession of these premises or any furniture, fixtures or equipment located at the premises,” the notice stated.
The operator of the restaurant, Richmond-based Cornett Hospitality LLC, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in late November, according to court documents. At that time, Cornett operated 12 restaurants in Virginia, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, including three other Hooters and a Topeka’s Steakhouse in and around Richmond, according to The Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Earlier this month, Spirit received permission from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Richmond to kick Cornett out of five buildings on the grounds that Cornett had broken its lease agreement before filing for bankruptcy, the Times-Dispatch reported.
According to the filing, Cornett may be millions of dollars in debt and has hundreds of creditors, including B&D Lock Co. and Budget Signs of Roanoke and Blue Ridge Beverage of Salem. The document lists “US Foodservice Roanoke” as one of its top 20 creditors, saying Cornett owes that company nearly $240,000.
Attorneys for both Spirit and Cornett could not be reached for comment late Monday afternoon.
January 28, 2013 - 6:04 PM
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You know…. say what you want about the premise of the restaurant and all the rigamarole that took place before the place opened. There’s nowhere in this town (and I’m looking right at you AllSports Cafe…) that could top the buffalo wing that Hooters produced. There are some good wings around here, but it’s not what they focus on. I’ve been to Wing Boss once and it’s ok, but that’s a hole in the wall joint almost out of town… This really sucks for Roanoke and is further testament as to why we can’t have popular chain restaurants in the Valley. We just don’t measure up… pure and simple.
I sorry Jay…we don’t “measure up” to Hooters?
I gotta disagree, Jay.
The wings at Hooters are mostly breading. As far as Wing Boss? 7 bucks for 6 wings…no thanks.
The wings at Allsports are the best, but I must admit that the service there is going downhill. Having your side of fries delivered 10 minutes after your wings just doesn’t cut it.
If you’re reading this, Kenneth, have a talk with your cooks.
Has been and always was a dump. Williamson Rd continues it’s steady dive downwards to 3rd world country status. Level the building.
Sounds more like a management problem to me. And why would you let a restaurant run a quarter mil tab?
I’m with you Jay…still my favorite wings. My wife loved their sandwiches and will miss it almost as much as I/me/myself (pick one)
This Hooters was full of rude and disrespectful people. One male manager in particular….always looking at people rudely. The food was average at best….there are plenty of big time chain restaurants in Roanoke that do great, and Allsports Deviltona wings destroy Hooters.
This really has nothing to do with how Roanoke doesn’t “measure up”, restaurants come and go, good and bad, if they are (or the management co) is mismanaging the operation, which it seems as if what happened here. Besides, there are better wings in the valley. Try Mac N Bobs.
The franchise restaurants don’t fail as quickly as the independent ones do. That’s not necessarily saying a lot. The franchises are the default selection for most couples on Saturday evenings. I’ll have to be honest, I either didn’t realize there was a Hooters in Roanoke, or I just ignored it for such a long time that I forgot. Obviously, I don’t go out for wings a lot…
Oh no! This was my FAV place for Valentine’s dinner. No line, no waiting. Jay, its unfair to blame the Valley area for the closing of this restaurant, Lindsey states plainly that the owning company from Richmond not only lost this place but others as well. I can only hope that someone will step up and take over this franchise restaurant and Hooters will live once again in Roanoke. I too love their wings.
Jay I find it hard to believe it’s Roanoke’s fault that a Richmond company didn’t pay it’s bills and filed bankruptcy.
How is this a reflection of Roanoke when they have 12 restaurants closing and hundreds of creditors?! It’s definitely not Roanoke.
Hooters closing had nothing to do with the Roanoke area. The owners are to blame. I never once saw or heard a promotion involving Hooters. Other Hooters restaurants are involved with charity and special events and advertise. If the restaurant doesn’t promote itself then it’s doomed.
Plus, besides being mismanaged. Several Hooters restaurants have opened and closed and be taken over. A prime example is the Texas Hooters locations. Texas locations were going under and Hooters Corporate took them over. This location was a franchise based establishment. And if the franchisee can’t manage it’s money or find a buyer/ bailout then it’s over. Owning a restaurant is tough and is the number one failed business for business owners. Sorry to see it go. I hope it reopens but if not – maybe a Tilted Kilt will take it’s place.
I agree. The wings were the best. I can remember that building sat vacant
for over 25 years until Hooters took it over. It will continue its long
tradition unless a smart chain restaurant decides it is a prime location for
a “never before seen” restaurant in Roanoke. Roanoke does not have the chain
offerings it needs. I am encouraged by the recent openings of Cook Out and the new Steak n Shake nearby.
Jay – Reading the article, I don’t know that I’d blame this on Roanoke not “measuring up.”
I agree with Jay, no one in town produced a better breaded wing. There’s something just different about a breaded wing versus a “naked” wing. I like Buffalo Wild Wings in almost every way over Hooters, except that one crucial difference.
As for the public perception of the place, there was never anything sleazy about it. Aside from a few sophomoric double entendres in the name and the decor, it was a fairly PG-13 atmosphere. The waitresses were no more attractive or friendly than waitresses are in general. And while their outfits may have seemed controversial 30 years ago, they seem almost quaint by modern standards of everyday dress among young women. I’ve seen more skin on a summer night at a Red Sox game than I ever did in Hooters.
Still, it was obvious the place had been going downhill for years. The interior was worn, the bathrooms were virtually toxic, and the decor was dated. Seeing now the dire financial straits of the ownership, I understand why.
It wasn’t a problem with business…..it was a problem of not paying their bills. Has nothing to do with Roanoke.
Kristen, Hooters has great wings but that’s all. Allsports has great everything! Not only wings but the best burgers around! Great subs, there’s no comparison. Allsports rocks!!
I think a yogurt place should take this spot!
It will be interesting to keep an eye on this story because Hooters of America, based in Atlanta, apparently took over two Hooters locations near Richmond that were previously operated by Cornett. So the Hooters fans among you can hope that the corporate office sees this location as a profitable one, especially since it is the only one in town, and takes it over. We shall see.
As for Williamson Road turning into a “3rd world country,” Bob, if that means I can shop in awesome ethnic markets, get a great Reuben at the New Yorker Delicatessen, pick up Roanoke Bagel Company bagels at 2nd Helpings Cafe while simultaneously helping charity, shop at Northwest Hardware and do all the other things I love to do on Williamson Road, then bring it on.
I have got to say that I’m not surprised at this at all. Hooters wings and the rest of their food is disgusting…wings way over breaded and extremely greasy. Also have come against some bigotry while there too, not myself personally, but while there with friends. Good riddance.
Hooters in Roanoke was poorly run. The food wasn’t great, the staff was inadequate and the the restaurant just didn’t feel clean. I would much rather visit the Hooters locations in the Piedmont Triad (Greensboro, High Point, Winston Salem) than the one in Roanoke. I think it is pretty obvious by Cornett Hospitality’s bankruptcy problems, that they did not know how to operate restaurants.
Now that Hooters is ghost it would be a great spot
for All Sports, Macado’s, or New York Pizza to open
up business in. Need a Red Lobster on this side of
town too.
Eddie, I like All Sports. I also like the wings at Growlers…they’re sort of dry and not too sloppy. I think there are plenty of great wings in the valley.
It’s strange that I haven’t seen a single comment that shows empathy for the loss of jobs from this bankruptcy closing. The closing of 12 businesses represents a significant number of employees who are now without income. While Hooter’s wasn’t my favorite restaurant, I didn’t dislike it and did occasionally eat there. It stayed busy, so many people must have liked it. I never saw a problem with the cleanliness or with the wait staff. The girls were very friendly when serving (after all, that’s how they made their money). Instead of finding fault with the defunct restaurant, I offer my sympathy and best wishes on finding new employment to the people who are jobless because of the closing.
Jack, not to be too picky, but I believe you have that location confused with the old Roma restaurant that sat empty for many years before being torn down. If I’m not mistaken, the Valley View Pancake House was in that spot before Hooters took it over.
Vickie, you’re right. Good luck to the former employees in their search for new jobs.
@LINDSEY,YOU JUST TOUCHED THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG ABOUT WILLIAMSON RD, ITS A GREAT AREA, THANKS
Certainly not due to being in Roanoke, no, this is all about absentee owners/poor management. I don’t eat wings and have reduced my visits to Hooters to once a week and reduced my pint of Miller Lite from two to one pint, so perhamps some of this is my fault? I enjoyed meeting the friends and the Hooter’s girls, i.e., Shannon, Latonya, Emily, etc., etc. and Chef “T” extraordinary Hooter’s Cobb Salad. Good luck, good health and good fortune to you ALL. Anyway, they closed my lunch place at Ernie’s last week and Hooter’s this week, Damn. But, can’t get this old man down, I heard that Friendship Manor will be hosting a Pruce Juice Bar, Whoopeeee ! See ya’ll around, take care. Linnie G.
Sorry, before the spelling police close in thats “perhaps” my fault and also “Prune” Juice Bar. See what happens when I don’t get my one pint of Miller Lite on Tuesday, grocery night. Linnie
Any news on baja bistro? I hear it closed.
Amanda, yes it has closed. Here’s Amanda Codispoti’s blog post about it, which you may have already seen: http://blogs.roanoke.com/storefront/2013/01/baja-bistro-owner-cites-sluggish-economy-for-closing/
WHERE AM I GOING TO WATCH WRESTLEMANIA THIS YEAR!?!?!?
Jack – “I can remember that building sat vacant for over 25 years until Hooters took it over.” Actually, it was the Vally View Pancake House before it was Hooters. There was only a couple of years between the two.
speaking as an employee that used to work at this hooters and several other Hooters across the United States, this Hooters was not run like any other Hooters that I’ve worked it before this Hooters was also a franchise which might be why I also. Personal experience I’ve noticed that the managers there didnt fix anything that went wrong with the building such as the drains when cleaning the floors. At time, raw sewage would becoming out of the drains sometimes and the managers looked like they didn’t even care! they also had a high turnover rate and the employees there knew nothing what they were doing nor did they care either
Hopefully Tilted Kilt or Twin Peaks will come to the Roanoke Area.
WHERE AM I GOING TO WATCH WRESTLEMANIA THIS YEAR!?!?!?
Wrestlemania is this Sunday. They need to take over, NOW!
Drove all the way up from Lynchburg with the wife today for a long awaited trip to Hooters, CLOSED. Damn. A month prior, I was in Chester and looked forward to a dinner at Hooters there, CLOSED. Damn. I personally love Hooters wings. They’re the best I’ve ever had. I hope they come back.
Maybe make a phone call first, Jason.