Recognizing the Roanoker Restaurant

Floor Speech

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Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize The Roanoker Restaurant, an establishment so iconic it carries its city's namesake.

Opened in 1941 by Craft Warren, this Roanoke staple has served as a gathering place for generations. For nearly 81 years, The Roanoker provided folks across the Star City a place to come together over a delicious, home-cooked meal.

Its current owner, Butch Craft, began working at the restaurant more than 52 years ago before eventually taking over the business.

Over the course of its storied history, the restaurant has moved throughout Roanoke before making its way to its current and, unfortunately, final home on Colonial Avenue in 1982.

This week, the entire Star City was saddened to learn that, after more than eight decades in business, The Roanoker will be closing its doors at the end of the month.

One resident said it best: It is going to be greatly missed, no doubt about it. It is going to be so missed.

It certainly will be, and I will take a moment to thank the Warren family, Butch Craft, and everyone who has worked at The Roanoker and made it such a success and made diners feel at home for so many years.

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