Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, October 19, 1995 TAG: 9510190031
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MAG POFF STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Ihsan Demirci, owner and chef at the Mediterranean, said Wednesday that he, his wife, Emine Demirci, and his cousin, Leman Demirci, have bought the property at 213 Williamson Road S.E., formerly occupied by Groucho's and the Roanoke Comedy Club. The site is near Kirk Avenue, around the corner from the City Market.
Purchase price for the 10,000-square-foot building was $365,000, according to Ed Hall and Read Lunsford of Hall and Associates, Roanoke commercial real estate brokers who negotiated the deal.
Demirci said Jimmy Butler, owner of the Comedy Club, wanted to stay, but the new owners need the space, so the club must move.
Demirci and his family will continue to operate the Mediterranean restaurant at 127 Campbell Ave. after the second restaurant opens.
The off-market location, previously cited by other business operators as a problem in drawing customers, doesn't bother Demirci. As a Turkish restaurant, he said, the new establishment will offer a very different and distinctive cuisine. He thinks Roanoke Valley residents will try his new menu, and, "if they like it, they will follow me." He said he expects the venture to succeed.
Demirci is a native of Turkey.
The interior of the building will be remodeled. Demirci said he will have 85 seats in a restaurant downstairs. A banquet room on the upper level will seat 150 for private parties and meetings.
Opening is expected in two to three months.
He has yet to find a name for the restaurant; he said he wants something uncomplicated and easy to remember.
by CNB