July 11, 2008What are your blasts from the past?I know you have them -- good or bad memories of stores and restaurants that no longer exist. For whatever reason, they closed, and they’re not coming back. For example, some people still are lamenting the loss of Hecht’s, which switched over to the Macy’s nameplate in 2006. I’ve heard from a number of shoppers who say they no longer can find their favored brands or style of apparel that only Hecht’s carried. As for me, a restaurant in Staunton, where I grew up, recently closed, and I’m still sad about it. It was the Pullman Restaurant, and it was built in a restored train station in the city’s historic downtown district, alongside the train tracks. Now to you. Comment here with your tales of stores or restaurants that once were in the Roanoke or New River valleys. I’ll blog about the ones with the most mentions. And speaking of retailers closing, The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this week that some Starbucks locations already have been notified that they will close by the end of this month. Starbucks will release the complete store closure list next Tuesday. The coffee retailer plans to shut down 600 stores nationwide, though it has not yet identified all of the locations that will close. |
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Comments
[July 11, 2008 4:09 PM]
deanI remember growing up there was a couple of stores I liked going to as a child.
One was called Best Store or Best Products and the other one was Murphy's I think. This was a long, long time ago. These were stores at a once thrieving Pittman Plaza in Lynchburg.
[July 11, 2008 4:22 PM]
JamieI miss Chi-Chis but mainly The Ground Round. I remember going there with my mom and just having the best times watching the cartoon movies on the big screen and throwing peanut shells on the floor. Great family times there !
[July 11, 2008 4:46 PM]
Angiespinnaker (spelling?)
[July 11, 2008 5:24 PM]
KimThere is still a Spinnaker's in Radford so you can still get your flower pot bread, but it is more expensive than the original.
[July 11, 2008 10:41 PM]
KelleyI miss Mac & Maggies!!!
[July 11, 2008 11:40 PM]
dennisDavis Pizza!!! It was in Salem, first on E. Main St. across from Lakeside, then on 419 still across from Lakeside, or Lakeside Plaza as it later became. Man, they had the BEST pizza I've EVER had!! And I've had pizza from a LOT of places, and consider myself a connesiour. They put the pepperoni on top and it cooked good and done, and there were puddles of grease on top! And on the bottom, it would soak through the box so they gave it to you on a section of newspaper. (carry out only) And they did something to the crust, too, it was just fantastic. I'm not alone, everyone I know who remembers eating pizza there talks about it fondly and w/ longing!
[July 12, 2008 11:50 AM]
David HandyI used to love shopping at Miller & Rhodes at Valley View Mall. I also miss Globman's in Martinsville, VA
[July 12, 2008 1:41 PM]
TomThere is a Spinnakers in Richmond. Owner bought it from the franchise. I remember Best Products and Brendles (the early Wal-Marts). I wish we still had a Kenny's Burgers and Lendy's. Did there used to be an A & W drive in on Melrose? Arthur Treacher's comes to mind also.
[July 13, 2008 9:27 AM]
v allen esquirePappa Joe's in South East. A large percentage of the good ole boys around now hung out there in their younger days. Joe was a local icon and kept Roanoke in the news right regularly.
[July 13, 2008 2:04 PM]
Kimberly SGreat topic!
For awhile now I have really been craving a good old Ferro's Pizza. This cozy little restaurant was tucked into the corner of the Lamplighter Mall on Williamson Road, and they had the very best pizza, altho I do agree with the PP that the loss of Davis Pizza is extremely lamentable. Both pizza places had their own unique style and flavor. While I would love to taste again the thin crispy squares from Davis, what I've really been jonesing for is a big ol' piece of Ferro's Sicilian! There really is nothing the least bit comparable in the Valley today.
[July 13, 2008 9:13 PM]
AmyEven before Hecht's was Thalhiemers- remember the chicken salad? Yum! Also I still miss Harris-Teeter but now with Fresh Market and Ukrops life is much better. My neighbor's husband said we all went through the grief process when they closed!
[July 13, 2008 10:02 PM]
Jonathan BrownI have not eaten at the Pullman Restaurant in a long time. But love how the area around it was "redeveloped" some time ago. Do you know when the restaurant closed? Also when I grew up in Waynesboro I loved the Mad Anthonys restaurant in the downtown area on Main. It was in the middle of the block up the hill from Leggets. All my clothes as a young boy came from there. Thanks for the info on Pullmans.
[July 13, 2008 11:12 PM]
Jonathan BrownI forgot to mention also Peck's BBQ that just closed in Waynesboro within the last year. That was a staple in the Waynesboro/Fishersville area for years. In Roanoke I miss Harris Teeter just like Amy. I am glad though that Ukrops's is here now. Missed them when I moved back to the area a few years ago.
[July 14, 2008 6:31 AM]
Patrick HinelyThe Westmoreland buffet at I-81 exit 180 (in those days, exit 50) on US 11 between Natural Bridge and Lexington featured fried chicken that was even better than my grandmother's (may she rest in peace). Alas, it is now a 1950s retro-diner, home of the deep fryer that never sleeps.
[July 14, 2008 8:17 AM]
LisaDean, There was a Murphy's in Vinton as well. I recall going there with my grandmother as a child and they had a lunch counter where we would grab a grilled cheese sandwich before our little shopping spree. I find it amazing how I can remember things like that on my own, but the more recent stores that have come and gone don't seem to come to mind as often.
[July 14, 2008 9:33 AM]
GregOK I could probably list a couple of dozen places but 2 that I remember as a kid were the restaurant next to the old Revco on Grandin Rd. They had the best french fries and fried chicken.
Also, Wally's just past the memorial bridge. They had awesome hot dogs.
Those places have been gone for many years but I still have fond memories of eating at both of them with my grandmother.
P.S. Does anyone remember the Village Inn Pizza on Williamson Rd? Bad Wolf BBQ is in that building now but I remember being fascinated by the stained glass windows and they also played cartoons on a screen in the back of the restaurant. I think the old fireplace may still be in the building.
[July 14, 2008 10:43 AM]
RoyJenny, I grew up near Harrisonburg, so many of my “blasts” are from there, but there are a few that were in Harrisonburg and Roanoke….
Harrisonburg Arthur Treacher’s Fish & Chips. The brand still exists, but not around here anymore.
Bonanza Steakhouse. It and the Ponderosa brand are owned by the Metromedia Restaurant Group, and there are some still around evidently. I remember it was cafeteria style in the 70s. You got your tray, ordered your steak and sides, and you got an A-frame plastic number “card,” so when your order was cooked, servers would match the order number with your number and brought it to the table.
Kenney’s Drive In. I know there were a lot of Kenney’s in Roanoke Valley, but there was one in Harrisonburg.
Donut King. All I remember is it was similar to today’s Krispy Kreme, and its logo was a line drawing of a king’s head in profile with a crown ornamented with donuts.
Joseph Ney’s department store. A quintessential department store in downtown Harrisonburg. Even during the 70s, they still had elevator attendees that operated the elevator to transport customers between floors.
Best Products. There was a Best in Harrisonburg and Roanoke. I liked to shop there, especially for electronics. I remember their catalog, and also their display areas. At the store in Harrisonburg, I remember filling out a request card, listing the item’s product number, a short description, etc. You took your request card to one counter, where they would input the request in to their on-site warehouse, and then you got a number. You then waited until they called your number, when you would go to a specific checkout station, where you paid for your items and received them.
Roanoke
Luncheon Nook. A very small cafeteria-style restaurant located in the basement of the Heironimus store on Jefferson Street. I went there for lunch many times during the 90s. They served sandwiches, soups, salads, desserts, and ice cream. I still miss it, especially during the winter, when I would like to go there for the soup(s). I liked its “out of the way” location, and it was a place that was quiet, not crowded, and where one could read or have an audible conversation.
[July 14, 2008 11:48 AM]
Jeff HuntLike many, I miss Davis Pizza. If I'd known that taste would disappear forever, I'd've bought a couple dozen and froze them so I could have one on my birthday every year!
I'm surprised no one has mentioned Holdrens. I'll bet most Roanoke homes have at least one appliance or other item purchased from this once proud local institution.
I miss the tossed salad at The Oasis. They chopped it all up so there was no need to cut and stab; every bite had all the various tastes.
Remember when George Preas Red Lion Restaurant was the last place on Franklin Road? Beyond that you were in "the sticks"!
I thought of Hill's recently. They always had 4th of July fireworks at Hill's Plaza.
And, of course, Globe Records and all the stores downtown before the mall era.
[July 14, 2008 1:27 PM]
Harold CrinerLendy's .... hands down. The longfellow was the best sandwich in the world.
[July 14, 2008 2:24 PM]
Derrickdefinitely Ferro's and The Ground Round
[July 14, 2008 3:12 PM]
TraciThese posts are driving me right down memory lane. I miss Mac & Maggies, too. I remember seeing Davis Pizza on the way to Lakeside as a kid, but we never ate there. Sounds like I missed something!
[July 14, 2008 3:12 PM]
ThomFor all the Kenney's fans, there are still Kenney's in Buena Vista, Lexington, and Lynchburg.
I hit the one in BV when ever I can. You can also buy the Burger Sauce at Kroger's. It's called Mr. Kenney's BBQ Sauce. The profits go to Habitat for Humanity.
Also check out this Kenney's website.
http://members.cox.net/kenneyburger/
[July 14, 2008 4:17 PM]
AlanRoanoke memories: -Vanilla milkshakes from Allen's Pharmacy -Sunday buffet at the Frontier Restaurant -10 cent burgers (with flies) from Mr. Moe's PS - ditto on Davis' pizza!!
[July 14, 2008 5:03 PM]
ArtisThree Little Pigs BBQ across from the Texas Tavern, Uncle Tom's BBQ on Franklin Rd., Stromboli Steak sandwiches from Pasquale's Pizza on same, The Rainbow Drive-In on Franklin, across from McDonald's, Submarine sandwiches from the Red Lion, Junior Lunch in downtown, across from Lee Jr. Fried Shrimp from Archie's Lobster House on Williamson Road. The list goes on and on.
[July 15, 2008 12:29 AM]
DennisI've remembered another favorite place! The Fiesta Cantina! There were two locations, one on Melrose, and one on Franklin Rd. where El Toreo is now. It was the first "Mexican Food" that my wife and I ever had, and it was SO good! We miss it, but truth be known it probably was not that much different than what we have available now. I also miss some of the places others have commented about, Harris Teeter, Kenney's, Ground Round to name a few. Jenny, thank you for such an interesting post!
[July 15, 2008 1:38 AM]
RobAnybody remember the blue goose record store at teh aforementioned Pittman Plaza?
[July 15, 2008 11:27 AM]
RigbyNice to hear memories about Ferro's,Kenney's, and the Red Lion restaurant, among others.....
I remember coming back from trips to North Carolina to see family when I was a kid and when we got to that big,neon red blinking lion on Franklin Road that was when I knew we were finally back in Roanoke. And yes, that red lion was the first sign of "civilazation" coming into town that way.
(Heck, I remember seeing a small rundown barnhouse in the middle of a field that is now the clustered mess of Valley View.)
But on the food memories, I remember a Ray's burgers on Williamson that seemed to be a rival of Kenney's. Tasty burgers though.
And my dad used to take me to Evan's Drugstore on Williamson Road for great ice cream floats. Nothing like one of those old drugstore soda fountain ice cream floats! Evan's Drugstore was in a building that housed Pet City, as well as Buzzard's Tattoo shop later on. A Bank of America sits in that location now(yawn!), which was also where Johnny's Tavern sat.
[July 15, 2008 3:39 PM]
TimPappy's at Tanglewood. Anyone else remember that place?
Also -- the restaurant at Lakeside Amusement Park. Not kidding. They were an early adopter of waffle fries and had great burgers. I worked at Lakeside the last summer it was open and ate a lot of those burgers.
[July 15, 2008 7:51 PM]
R MacPatricia's Italian Restaurant on Franklin Road, La Maison (spelling?) on Airport Road, Catawba Emporium at Cross Roads Mall and Carvel ice cream at Cave Spring Corners. Miss them all but Patricia's the MOST. They had the best Italian food around.
[July 15, 2008 9:39 PM]
Thad GravesGarland's Gaslight, above Garland's Drug on Grandin Rd., Bud's Pizza King on Brandon Ave.,Tex Burger on Brandon Ave, sign looked like the Vegas cowboy sign, Burger Chef, at the lower entrance to Towers, Newby's restaurant on Franklin Rd, near K Mart, Lendy's downtown.
[July 15, 2008 9:42 PM]
Dill WebbPatricia's was Pasquale's after they dropped the franchise. Same food, which WAS good.
[July 16, 2008 8:10 AM]
Dane WintersNewby's on Franklin Rd. had the best steak sandwiches, Bud's Pizza King on Brandon Ave had a pizza that was cheap and delicious, Patricia's was, of course Pasquale's renamed after they dropped the franchise, Lendy's downtown, with their strawberry pie, The OLD Weiner Stand, before they sanitized it in the remodeling, and it lost all it's character, The Steer Inn on Franklin Rd., great burgers,
[July 16, 2008 9:13 AM]
v allen esquireI am surprised that no one has mentioned the Villa Sorento located on Patterson Avenue for many years. As it was a local icon for so long, it does not need a lot to describe it, as I am sure that a lorge percentage of people in the valley remember it.
[July 16, 2008 10:00 AM]
J-LynnGoing to Lakeside in Salem and Roses at Crossroads Mall!
Yes! Villa Sorento spent many nights there with my parents, and the old "Little Chef"- on Williamson RD the late 70's early 80's time. They had lines out the door at 2am to get in.. I miss Rose's sausage gravy from there. IT's just not the same.
[July 16, 2008 11:34 AM]
DebiOh yes, Newby's. Went there for lunch with the girls A LOT. Their house salad was wonderful.
Remember when Tanglewood had the French Quarter and there was a pizza place with seating out there in the corridor? They had great pizza. I got engaged (first time haha) in the French Quarter.
Kennys in Salem was my teenage hangout....had to have Dr Pepper and fries.
[July 16, 2008 7:33 PM]
Frenchie BallardI hate reading this. It just makes me realize how limited our choices are today. Franchises killed all of the good affordable restaurants.
[July 17, 2008 1:20 PM]
KathyPargo's at the 220 Walmart, where the Honeytree child care center is now...they had great food; I loved their chicken quesadillas and steaks, not to mention the atmosphere. I miss Mac & Maggie's french onion soup, the best anywhere. Villa Sorrento was good, too. How about the lunchcounters at all the 5&10's downtown; Woolworth's, Kress, Grants? We used to go to People's Drugstore on Jefferson St after school and get Cokes and fries before we went home. Grandmother used to take me to Woolworth's and we would get an egg salad sandwich and a milk shake for lunch before we went to the American theater to see the latest Jerry Lewis movie! Talk about a real blast from the past! I'm really telling my age now!
[July 17, 2008 1:22 PM]
KathyDoes anyone remember the name of the restaurant at Tanglewood Mall when it first opened where Barnes & Noble is now? That was a fun place after work......
[July 18, 2008 12:07 AM]
JasonDoes anyone remember Hunters Grill? It was in the old Patrick Henry Hotel. The food there was amazing, prime beef made it the best steak in town. 309 First Street and the Star City diner were two other downtown restaurants that disappeared for various reasons. What a great topic this is.
[July 18, 2008 8:43 AM]
GregDidn't there used to be a lunch counter at the woolworth's in towers too? I remember going there a few times. Pargo's was really good. They used to have them in Va Beach and Harrisonburg until a couple of years ago and now they are gone too. And of course there was the S&S cafe at towers. It wasn't around as long as some of the others but it was a nice place to eat for awhile.
[July 23, 2008 1:23 AM]
QuinnI'm a little late to this topic, but I remember eating some good meals at Tarpley's Cafeteria in Salem. My mom used to take my brother and I there for lunch in the summer when school was out. You could get there by walking through either an antique/craft type store on the left, or an appliance store on the right. I also remember a good restaurant called Mountain Air that was in Vinton in the early '90's. And a place called The Good Shepherd in downtown Roanoke. But I think that place closed after flooding badly during the flood of '86.
[July 23, 2008 4:06 PM]
AmyI have long since moved from Roanoke- but I do remember the Tatsee Freeze on Williamson for a Gus' burger and crinkle fries-- how about High's Ice Cream at Crossroads Mall? Someone made mention of Valley View Mall- my grandpa and I used to walk in the fields (which now are consumed by building after building) we would collect golf balls and play on the school equipment by Huff Lane Elem. -- great memories! Thanks for taking me back!
[July 25, 2008 10:10 AM]
JonBring back Howards Soup Kitchen to Downtown.
[July 26, 2008 11:36 AM]
JLHI was in Valparaiso, Indiana the other day and ordered pizza from Gelsosomo's Pizzeria. One bite took me back immediately to the same taste I remember as a kid from Davis's Pizza on Williamson Road. It wasn't the same, but close. I'd have to guess it's been 35 years since I had a Davis pizza and I never forgot how good they were.
[July 27, 2008 11:14 PM]
HBGreg, yes there was a lunch counter at the Woolworth's at Towers. I remember going to a record store also at Towers, Oasis I believe, in the days before CD's came out. Maybe not the best record store, but I was a little younger and it seemed so big at the time. Don't forget that Montano's used to be at Towers too. It was a tiny little place at the time
[July 28, 2008 12:49 PM]
SusieRemember the lunch counter that was in the Sears on Williamson Road? It was always busy when we went shopping.
[July 28, 2008 3:07 PM]
PWhat WAS the name of the restaurant at Tanglewood where Barnes & Noble is now. We ate there a lot. Does anyone remember the name?
[July 28, 2008 3:23 PM]
RandyEveryone is clearly making me nostalgic for all the good food and atmosphere I remember as a young man. Each and every place mentioned makes me realize what a great time I had growing up in this area. Regarding Kenny's, the one that really takes you back is the one in the south end of Lexington, VA just off Rt 11 business north. You can approach from Route 11 northbound, taking the second Natural Bridge exit from Roanoke and driving the back route to Lexington. It is on top of the hill to your right about 500 feet after you pass through the traffic light that turns right to the Route 11 bypass. Yes, there is one in Buena Vista, but it's in a new building as the old building was torn down and the menu is diferent. The one in Lexington is the same building, signage and menu. It's as if time stood still! Also, Bill Kenney is still around and is a great guy who stays true to the old days!
[July 28, 2008 3:46 PM]
GregSusie, I remember the candy counter at the Sears on Williamson. I used to love going there with my parents because they would always let me get some Brachs chocolate stars.
Also, I used to love Michaels bakery in Crossroads. At Christmas and Halloween they used to have these little cupcake like balls that were shaped like snowmen, Santa, or ghosts. They were so awesome. Michael's also came out with a pac man cookie when the video game first came out!
[July 28, 2008 4:04 PM]
SarahP: As far as I can tell, no one answered your question about the restaurant at Tanglewood. Was it the Great Gatsby? I remember they brought the menus around in violin cases. A fun place! And how about a real blast from the past--the Miller & Rhoads Tea Room downtown? The Missouri Club was unbelievable, and their cottage cheese with onions, cucumbers, and tomatoes was unlike any other. And they had models who modeled the latest outfits on certain days. I really miss those special places!
[July 28, 2008 6:53 PM]
PSarah: I remember the violin cases very well, and the way the waiters dressed. The Great Gatsby doesn't sound right or maybe it was just Gatsby's .. I could be wrong. I was thinking it was Godfathers
[July 29, 2008 9:27 AM]
Derrickthe restaurant at Tanglewood was called G.D.Grafitti's complete with gangster outfits
[July 29, 2008 12:31 PM]
KathyBingo, Derrick! G.D. Grafitti's! Everybody's entries have brought back memories (and heartburn!).
[July 29, 2008 12:59 PM]
PDerrick, THANK YOU! This has been driving me crazy. I can go back to concentrating on my job now.
[July 29, 2008 1:40 PM]
Ware TheissNow there's a generational thing. When I read the comment about the recordstore at Towers, I thought they would mention Globe Records, which was in the center of the upstairs court in the '60s - '70s, but they were thinking instead of Oasis Records & Tapes, which was there in the '80s. I have to say, I preferred Globe. It may have been smaller, but it wasn't loaded with filler material, which in my opinion was what made up the majority of the albums at Oasis.
[July 29, 2008 2:48 PM]
tami harmon : →http://tamiLittle Caesars used to make a dynamite sandwich/Italian sub. Really cheap too. Wish they would bring them back!
[July 29, 2008 7:22 PM]
Hermann RandalNow, does anybody remember some of the creepy places that used to be downtown back when it was interesting? I'm thinking about the Flying Eagle Coin Shop, and the Jolly Roger Haggle Shop. Both, over across the east side of Jefferson Street. The Flying Eagle had an assortment of just about all the old junk you could imagine, Kodak bellows cameras, fans, old radios, stuff like that. The Jolly Roger had this funny little staircase you had to climb to get in, and was a repository of thousands of musty old magazines. In the back room, were adult magazines like "Stag", etc.
[July 30, 2008 11:31 AM]
TraciG.D. Graffitti's! I would have never remembered that. That place went away back in the early 80's right?
[July 30, 2008 2:03 PM]
ChrisI remember going to the Silver Odyssey at Cave Spring Corners and playing video (and pinball) games.
I also remember sneaking in or around the 220 Drive In movie theater to watch XXX movies. I think the sound was broadcast on AM?
Ah - misspent youth.
[July 30, 2008 8:56 PM]
Debioh yes, the 220 drive in. i remember seeing, "wham bam thank you space man" which was my first xxx movie.....laughed thru the whole thing!
[August 2, 2008 8:58 AM]
Tom FrakerPat's Cafe on Shenandoah Ave. Pat's featured many of the foods made famous at Lendy's, and kept them available to Roanokers for years after Lendy's closed. Suprisingly, Pat's was in business for just about about as long as Lendy's was.
[August 8, 2008 9:04 AM]
Tony BarbourG.D. Graffitti's used to have these awesome kids' menus that were shaped like guns, and the paper inside them was folded in this really clever way, so that when you "snapped" them down, the paper made a loud popping sound. Drove Mom and Dad crazy. Also, nobody's mentioned Roma on Williamson. Was it not as good as I remember? Granted I was about 6 when it went under... But by far the restaurant I miss the most is Hurley's on Grandin. Slogan: "MexAmIrish. Or something." Used to love sitting out on the patio, drinking good beer and watching the Roanoke go by...
[August 8, 2008 9:07 AM]
Tony BarbourOh, and speaking of arcades, how about the Magic Ballroom and the Electric Connection? Man, in this age of HALO3 and what not, imagine walking three or four miles for fifty cents worth of Donkey Kong or Ms. Pac Man...