ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, January 24, 1996 TAG: 9601240019
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-8 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: PULASKI
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
The Renaissance restaurant, one of the flagship businesses that began to fill vacant stores in downtown Pulaski starting in 1993, has closed its doors - at least until spring.
Paul Etzel, owner of the restaurant and its building at 55 W. Main St., cited the recent blizzard as the deciding factor in the closing which was effective this week. He said his lunch business was too sporadic for him to continue, but did not rule out reopening sometime this spring.
The restaurant had been operated previously by Nelson Boan, who closed it in 1992. Etzel, who had been director of operations for the Pargo's Restaurants in Christiansburg and Roanoke since 1990, bought the building and reopened it in mid-1993.
Since then, Etzel has been active in several organizations aimed at boosting downtown Pulaski, supported the Count Pulaski Festival and other downtown celebrations with food contributions, and is on the town's Economic Development Board which represents Pulaski's latest effort at adding, expanding and promoting its businesses and attractions.
Etzel began working in the restaurant business at age 14 with part-time jobs while in school, and used it to put himself through Queen's College where he majored in accounting. He will be working in accounting again for the immediate future.
The reopened Renaissance drew good restaurant reviews for its dinner fare, but Etzel found the customer base was not enough and stopped serving dinners last year. He added breakfast and started specializing in lunches.
Many community organizations ranging from the Economic Development Board to the Pulaski Business Alliance held meetings at the Renaissance.
"He'll be sorely missed by all the merchants downtown," said Business Alliance President Pat Gooch.
LENGTH: Short : 41 linesby CNB