2009.05.28
Roanoke Weiner Stand closes one shop
UPDATE: For more information about the Roanoke Weiner Stand's closing and news of a tax lien against the business, read the story in Friday's newspaper.
A well-known hot dog restaurant has shut down one of its Roanoke locations. The Roanoke Weiner Stand on Brandon Avenue is closed, according to a sign posted on its front door.
Here's what the sign says:
"Thank you for all of your support over the years. We are closing May 27, 09. Please visit our downtown location."
I haven't yet been able to reach the owner, Gus Pappas. Employees at the weiner stand's downtown Roanoke location on Campbell Avenue say they are clueless about why the Brandon Avenue restaurant has closed.
Clueless? They are two seperate corporations therefore the employees downtown really don't have the information you seek.
Comment by Melissa Chacknes — May 28, 2009 @ 2:51 pm
I noticed business there was way down. The parking lot was always difficult to enter and exit and the staff there was anything but friendly.
It never had the atmosphere that the downtown location had.
Comment by Joe — May 28, 2009 @ 2:59 pm
the comment by "joe" on 5/26 indicated that he must have another business confused with rws
Comment by tony ellis — May 28, 2009 @ 8:16 pm
I whole heartedly agree. I never had anything but friendly service there. I have not eaten at that Roanoke Weiner Stand in a while (I usually eat at the on downtown) so I can not verify their "lack of business".
Comment by Eric — May 29, 2009 @ 6:45 am
That store has been the "weak sister" of the 2 RWS locations for years. It's a wonder it's stayed open this long. Certainly was easier visiting that location than fighting traffic downtown if you were only looking for one all the way to go!
Comment by Rob — May 29, 2009 @ 7:06 am
There is just no longer a demand for their product to support 2 locations. Price and quality have changed many restaurants including the Weiner Stand and the New Yorker Deli,(never the same after Harry died), as well. When the Weiner Stand had .15 hotdogs and Cokes in 6oz. glass bottles (made without corn syrp), they were great and people could afford them, even when min. wage was $1.25. Today min. wage is only $6.15 and the hotdogs and "Cokes" are more than 12X the prices of the old days, and the product is just not as good. The Brandon location also just does not have the important walk-in trade fot hotdogs or the "atmosphere" of the market location. Just M.O.
Comment by Fred Barlow — May 31, 2009 @ 10:13 am
I had lunch at the original today and the rumor is they plan to re-open the Brandon location after some remodeling. I didn't ask personally but everyone else coming in did. One thing I can say is the story about the closing must have had everyone thinking about hot dogs because the place was packed.
P.S. Fred, when you mention that you miss the .15 hot dog you're really dating yourself! You can't buy a pack of hot dogs at the grocery store for that price. Sure the cost has gone up but how much has expenses gone up? This is a business and they are trying to make money. They don't open the doors just for the fun of it.
Comment by Greg — June 1, 2009 @ 2:12 pm
OH- I sure hope they re-open
Best lunch deal in Roanoke and always had good service.
The service was designed to be quick and efficient.
Best FF anywhere!
I never go downtown..........
Comment by Tammie — June 3, 2009 @ 11:56 am
Sorry, I'm late getting in on this, but; I LOVE the Roanoke Weiner Stand hot dogs! I'm a hot dog fan in general and have had them from a lot of different places including many out of town and out of state places. And I think the "Weenie" stand has the best! I never noticed any difference in the food or the service at the Brandon Rd. store as compared to the downtown store! I went to the Brandon Rd. location more often than downtown b/c it's much closer to where we live.
Comment by Dennis — June 4, 2009 @ 10:20 am
Brandon was always a little bit "skimpier" with their toppings, especially the chili, and if you asked for extra they charged you for it.
Comment by Irene — June 9, 2009 @ 11:10 am