ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, October 29, 1996 TAG: 9610290066
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MEGAN SCHNABEL STAFF WRITER
Customer support and a $10,000 check from a Virginia Tech alumnus went a long way toward settling Rosa Lanier's debts - and reviving her spirits - over the weekend.
Lanier, who has been struggling to keep Rosa's Family Restaurant alive since she moved it last fall from Vinton to Williamson Road in Roanoke, said a story in Saturday's Roanoke Times brought in so many customers that she almost ran out of food Sunday night.
But the biggest surprise came in the form of a check from Gary Clisham, a partner in Medical Marketing Resources Inc. of Richmond. While in Blacksburg for the Tech football game Saturday, he read about her plight and called her that day to offer his assistance.
``Seeing someone working so hard '' said Clisham, who attended both undergraduate and graduate school at Tech in the 1970s. ``It's tough enough to succeed without people setting you up to fail.''
So many people have helped him in his business that he wanted to return the favor.
``We're a bunch of old Hokies with big hearts,'' he said.
Lanier, who had faced eviction, reached an agreement Monday with her landlord, Arthur Bernstein of Troutville, and was given additional time to pay $9,000 in back rent. Lanier must pay Bernstein $5,000 by 5 p.m. Wednesday, said her lawyer, Malissa Lambert Giles. She must use the remaining $5,000 from Clisham by Friday to pay up the insurance.
Even then, the restaurant isn't completely in the clear. Lanier must pay off the remaining $4,000 in past-due rent by the end of the year, said Andrew Goldstein, Bernstein's lawyer, and she must make all future rent payments on time. If she doesn't meet all the terms of the agreement, he said, Bernstein is allowed to repossess the building.
But after so many customers rallied to her aid this weekend, Lanier said she's sure she'll make it.
``It does renew your faith in mankind,'' she said. ``When you believe in something, don't give it up. People do care.''
LENGTH: Short : 45 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) Lanierby CNB