Libby's located on Salem Ave, Roanoke
On Saturday I ran over to Black Dog Salvage. They had some chalk paint that I wanted to try out on some tables. I don't really know this area well and so on the way back, I of course made a wrong turn and ended up just a teency bit lost. I have ZERO sense of direction but I knew which way downtown was so I just sort of headed that way and knew we'd get home. Oh, but being a teency bit lost, I came across this super awesome building with the super awesome signage! Of course I had to go over and get a picture!
Sadly this place is up for sale. Here's a bit of info I found:
"The building dates to 1910 and opened as a grocery store. It belonged to Garst Brothers Dairy before the Monsour family took it over. Elizabeth "Libby" Monsour turned the store into a restaurant when her father died. No one can remember exactly when this happened, but Grubb and patrons agree it was in the mid-1940s."
Grubb was the last owner and judging by the results of my Google search, it was a pretty yummy place to eat. I wonder what happened, why it closed?
For the rest of the story I quoted, you can Click Here
Linking with Signs, Signs
R.C., the drink of my childhood! And then I grew up and got sophisticated and switched to Coca Cola. :-)
ReplyDeleteCool find! I also have no sense of direction. It's a good thing my hubby drives everywhere we go, or we might end up in the east with you! lol
ReplyDeleteGetting lost sometimes has its advantages, super sign!
ReplyDeleteYou just brought back memories of my teenage days and Royal Crown. I haven't seen in the stores for a long time.
ReplyDeleteAmazing. Lucky you, getting a bit lost! I wonder why it is closing??
ReplyDeleteI was born in Roanoke and it is nice to see images I know and don't know.
ReplyDeleteI know where that sign is, my father grew up a couple steets over back when it was a safe area. That is near where the guy put up the signs telling the prostitutes to stay away.
ReplyDeleteyes, the area was a bit sketchy! ha, i didn't know that about the prostitute signs! maybe for another day?! :D
Deletelove it!! great capture.
ReplyDeleteVA is nuts - this weather is crazy. have a great weekend. ( :
Getting lost is half the fun! Especially when you find a beauty like this! Hope they save it, some great history there as well as the lovely mural/sign. Tx for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool place- I hope someone who truly appreciates it can make the purchase.
ReplyDeleteIt was serendipity! Very neat looking place and capture. (I also hope you get good use out of chalk paint:) I do wonder about good eateries closing, it just happened to an amazing decade-old bakery near us (apparently, they just couldn't recover from Hurricane Sandy)...it's sad as they seem to provide good food and make people happy!
ReplyDeleteI love this kind of sign. And i had totally forgotten Royal Crown Cola!
ReplyDeleteYes, no doubt I love this wall, great shot!
ReplyDeleteIt was meant to be! Glad you shared. Love it!!!!
ReplyDeleteA good thing that you stopped there! That is a great sign.
ReplyDeleteSometimes it is worth taking a wrong turn here and there :)
ReplyDeleteThe signs, and the coke bottle, look well cared for. If it goes, it will likely be missed as much as the restaurant.
Funny how there's just the one big window on the ground floor right next to the ad. It's great!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great one. How in the world have Buddy and I missed it? Hey, it is actually snowing great guns here tonight. This has been the weirdest winter. Hope maybe next week we really get a good one. Am keeping my fingers crossed. We have already lost one day off of Easter break week so what would be another. I would LOVE a BIG snow. genie
ReplyDeleteThat is just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI associate Libby's with corned beef.
ReplyDeleteThat's a huge sign, hope they paid well for the ad space.
Beautiful building and history. :)
ReplyDeleteI love the way they used to advertise! This one is in great shape! What a terrific find...it never hurts to get a "little" lost. There are always surprises.
ReplyDeleteLove this photo. And a great story and how you stumbled upon it!
ReplyDeleteI still live in the area…right around the corner actually, and it's not as bad as many make it sound. Libby's is still up and running. The owner has some health problems and is looking for a buyer- not to shut it down for good or to turn it into something that it's not, but to keep it as everything that we all know and love. So, thats just a little bit of info. If you ever get lost in the area and want a great burger or breakfast sandwich, give Libby's a visit.
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