December 28, 2007
Wertz's Restaurant & Wine Bar shuts its doors
Wertz’s Restaurant & Wine Bar has closed, and its owner, Gary Crowder, is retiring after 28 years in the restaurant business.
Crowder has had some health problems, and he said that is why he is closing Wertz's, which is located on Market Street in downtown Roanoke.
But he will continue to sell produce from a booth at the city's downtown farmer’s market. Crowder’s wife, Shellie Crowder, also co-owns Little Dipper, an ice cream and food shop on Market Street.
A mother and son team who own a local catering company, called Divinity Catering, plan to move into the Wertz’s space and open a restaurant there by February, Crowder said. Debbie Spangler is the president of Divinity.
Crowder still owns the Wertz’s building, and he said he’s leasing the space to the new restaurateurs. And he plans to stay involved in the city’s downtown, through his produce stand and his seat on the board of directors for Downtown Roanoke Inc.
“The Market is me. It’s what I am and what I’m about,” Crowder said.
About closing Wertz’s, “The main thing is we’re not going to have an empty storefront,” he added.
Stay tuned for more details about the new eatery that will open this winter in Wertz’s space.
Comments
[December 31, 2007 1:12 PM]
WillA sad departure. I've enjoyed mimosas and brunch at Wertz's on several Sundays. One of my fondest memories was spending a Saturday on the market with my late sister and having lunch there. She always enjoyed the Market Area.