ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) – The restaurant Billy’s Roanoke will be celebrating its 13th anniversary on Friday, May 23.
Downtown Roanoke listed the story behind the space with the following:
- 1912: Building at 102 Market Street (formerly 102 Salem Avenue) constructed; became part of downtown Roanoke’s landscape. The Ritz Hotel was born!
- 1925: The opening of The Patrick Henry Hotel diminished The Ritz Hotel’s prominence.
- Late 1950s: Downtown Roanoke began economic decline.
- 1961: Opening of Crossroads Mall further impacted downtown economy.
- 1979: The City of Roanoke launched Design 79 initiative to revitalize the market area.
- 1979 (late): John Williams and partners opened a new restaurant in the building, inspired by a former local saloon and the hotel’s name—calling it Billy’s Ritz.
- 1980s–2000s: John Williams and his wife Betsy ran Billy’s Ritz for 29 years.
- 2004: They opened Say Cheese, a cheese shop, in the space now known as the Board Room.
- 2007: The Williamses announced their retirement from the restaurant business.
- 2008: Building purchased by new owners.
- May 23, 2012: Billy’s reopened after extensive renovations. This is why their anniversary is celebrated in May.
Learn more about Bill’s or check out its fine dining at billysroanoke.com…