2009.06.16
Trio to close; bakery to open
No! Not the "closed" sigh again!
THIS JUST IN: ANOTHER closing to report, this time the Petticoats and Petit Fours Tea Room in Salem. According to their Web site, the tea room is having a going out of business sale.
From the New River Valley Notebook blog, news that The Bank Food and Drink in Pearisburg is closing, but they hope to reopen soon with a new chef and management.
Jenny Kincaid Boone has just broken the news on her blog, The Storefront, that Trio Bistro Bar Bottle in downtown Roanoke, which recently changed its name to Trio Market Bar Cafe, is closing at the end of this month.
Trio has held down the corner of Market Street and Church Avenue for three and a half years. I always thought they must be doing well to survive that long and outlast other restaurants that came and went. Now, owner Sands Woody admits that the restaurant never turned a profit, even after he hired new chef Justin Buckner to but a low country twist on the menu.
It's a shame to see such a beautiful restaurant go. I hope someone else with great ideas and deep pockets tries to make a go of it there before too long.
In other restaurant news, I received an interesting e-mail this morning from Roanoker Lisa Lusk, who says she is opening a cupcake bakery called "Bubblecake" in the white house in Crystal Spring that most recently housed Tony Pope Bistro. I'm going to chat more with Lisa about the details of her bakery, and I'll share what I can as soon as I can.
Anyone want to offer a eulogy on Trio? Are you surprised they are closing?
I always enjoyed Trio and greatly admire Sands' committment to the community. I am sorry to hear it is closing.
Comment by DivaDog — June 16, 2009 @ 11:44 am
I'm sorry Trio is closing, but not surprised. The few times I've been in there, they haven't been very busy. It's a shame, the food is good. I don't know if there is something about that location, but no one seems to last there. Maybe folks hit the other end of the Market area and just don't make it up that far.
Comment by Debbie — June 16, 2009 @ 11:48 am
I will def miss the crab salsa they sold. It was delish!
Comment by Sarah Hartge — June 16, 2009 @ 12:40 pm
Hate to say it too, but I'm not surprised. The food was never really impressive, especially after the low country makeover. And the atmosphere was awful...so stark and bland, echoes everywhere. It was nicve to have so many by the glass wine options though. The concept could definately work, just needs better and more interesting food options along for the ride.
Comment by cole09 — June 16, 2009 @ 12:54 pm
Trio closing sucks. My husband and I just had lunch there on Saturday and the food was wonderful. Sadly, it was NOT busy. I think we were the only patrons for 1/2 of our time there.
Perhaps Debbie is right - people just don't wander up to the far end of Market Street.
Comment by Lori — June 16, 2009 @ 1:19 pm
I will defintely miss Trio. We always enjoyed the food and, as DivaDog said, you will not find many people as committed to helping the community as Sands Woody. This news makes me sad.
Comment by Nona Nelson — June 16, 2009 @ 5:16 pm
Not surprised at all for reasons I will not go into. But I will say that the building is not a good space for what they wanted to be. Maybe now they will move their furniture off the sidewalk. And bring back Vanucci's for goodness sake. It was the best restaurant in town. And that was when Carlos' was across the street.
Comment by Paul — June 19, 2009 @ 3:53 pm
Just an FYI, Trio has all of their wines and wine accessory's 20% off.
Comment by Debbie — June 22, 2009 @ 11:51 am
Make that accessories.
I'll blame the misspelling on being in a hurry and it's Monday.
Comment by Debbie — June 22, 2009 @ 3:57 pm
Thanks for the heads-up, Debbie!!
Comment by Lindsey Nair — June 22, 2009 @ 5:03 pm
No problem!
Comment by Debbie — June 22, 2009 @ 5:22 pm
Not surprised at all, especially since I had an experience several months ago where, after calling ahead the day before and even making a RESERVATION for a special anniversary, my lady and I arrived only to find the restaurant was CLOSED. They only served Brunch on Sundays apparently, something you'd think they would have told me when I called to make a DINNER reservation for a SUNDAY night.
But hey, we ended up at 202 Market and had an amazing experience, so no loss in this diner's mind. Just support our other fine restaurants instead!
Comment by RkeDiner — July 1, 2009 @ 10:15 am
FYI Their wine is now 50% off
Comment by Debbie — July 13, 2009 @ 12:16 pm