THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 23, 1995 TAG: 9504220100
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Business
SOURCE: BY SUSIE STOUGHTON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
Main Street's getting something of a face lift.
Robert Chisom, executive director of the Downtown Suffolk Association, believes it's the beginning of a major make-over.
``We're optimistic about the future,'' he said.
From the heart of downtown to Elephant's Fork, where Main becomes Pruden Boulevard, new life is being pumped into several once-empty buildings. Others are set for demolition to allow for other property use.
With the recent reopening of the city's only movie theater, moviegoers no longer have to leave town. The Suffolk Plaza Cinema offers second-run movies for $2, except on ``Tightwad Tuesdays'' when admission is $1.
The theater in Suffolk Plaza Shopping Center seats 347, said manager Marc Askew.
Two new restaurants - La Tolteca and Mainstreets - should open by summer.
La Tolteca, offering authentic Mexican food, hopes to open in early May in the former Miss Muffet's yogurt shop in the Suffolk Plaza Shopping Center.
The restaurant will serve lunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Take-out and eat-in will be available, said manager Mario Villanpando, who has run a Mexican restaurant in California.
Mainstreets is expected to open in June in the former Western Sizzlin in the Suffolk Shopping Center. The restaurant will offer seafood, steaks and pasta.
``Our main emphasis will be on seafood,'' said one of the owners, William Nelson of Nelson Enterprises.
The restaurant will have a lounge, a banquet room with seating for about 75, and perhaps a small deck outside for several tables. The restaurant will deliver and will accept call-in orders by fax and will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Most dinners will be less than $10, Nelson said. Some all-you-can-eat specials will be more. But refills will come from the kitchen, not a buffet bar like restaurants such as Ryan's, Nelson said.
``We don't feel like we can compete with them on what they do,'' he said.
There are also new businesses in the Constant's Wharf area.
Star Lube, which opened two weeks ago, offers a full-service package, including an oil change and a 14-point check list, for $19.95.
``Our concentration is on service,'' said Steve Robbins, assistant manager.
The business is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Dr. Beeper, open since February, sells, repairs and hooks up beepers and sells cellular phones, said manager Eric Adams.
Nearby, the former Harvey's Mobil full-service gas station has changed to BP, but is still under the same ownership and is offering the same service.
In activity downtown, the former Leggett building will be filled once renovations are finished on the second floor to house the Western Tidewater Community Services employees, Chisom said.
The city plans to demolish the old Penney's and Woolworth's buildings in May to make space for a new city hall, he said. And renovation plans are being developed for the former CSX train station and private residences on Main.
``We're trying to extend the image of downtown to Constance Road,'' he said.
In other parts of the city, a Miller Mart being built near Oak Ridge on Holland Road will have an Arby's restaurant inside. MEMO: Let us know about business developments in your area. Our fax number:
934-7515; or mail information to 157 N. Main St., Suffolk 23434.
ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
Mario Villanpando is manager of La Tolteca, a new restaurant that
will offer authentic Mexican food. The eatery is scheduled to open
in early May in the former Miss Muffet's yogurt shop in the Suffolk
Plaza Shopping Center. Take-out and eat-in will be available,
Villanpando said.
by CNB