Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 25, 1993 TAG: 9305260045
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: MICHAEL STOWE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Steffen, 35, is taking over Buddy's restaurant and nightclub at 130 Jackson St. in downtown Blacksburg.
The restaurant's namesake, Buddy Bundy, will continue operating the business until the end of the month and then Steffen will take control.
Buddy's will be closed until mid-July while Steffen renovates and expands the interior of the building and installs a new stereo system. It will reopen under the name "Eat at Joe's Cafe International."
Steffen said he wants to take the restaurant's food and entertainment "to the next level."
His law office is just down the street at 126 Jackson St. and Steffen said he bought the business after seeing what an "under utilized facility" it has been.
Eat at Joe's will feature international cuisine and showcase all types of music from rap to country, Steffen said.
"It will be almost all original music," he said.
Bundy said he decided to sell the restaurant because he didn't have the money needed to make the renovations the restaurant needs.
"I got a good offer and the timing is good, so I decided to sell," he said. "The place needs money put into it and I don't have it."
Bundy said he will continue to operate the Ton-80 Club, another Blacksburg bar he owns.
Steffen has been promoting music since the mid-1980s and even started his own recording and publishing company, Misha. He also has been involved with Cellar Door Concerts in Roanoke and Warehouse Recording in Galax.
Steffen, who will continue to practice law, said he hopes to attract small-level national bands and larger regional bands to perform at his new restaurant.
The restaurant's entertainment schedule will kick noff the first week of August during Steppin' Out.
by CNB