The former location of Bogen’s Steakhouse and Bar is taking on a new form as a bar and wine lounge-equipped restaurant.
The new eatery, run by the owner of Lefty’s Bar and Grille, is scheduled to open in April or May.
The leased space, located on North Main Street, will be broken into three parts. The main area of the building will become 622 North, a restaurant aimed toward “adult” consumers.
“It’s not that there aren’t nice places to go get dinner,” said Sam Cotran, a manager at Lefty’s who will manage the new restaurant, “but most adults and professors go out to Roanoke for a nice meal.”
The restaurant hired George Cruz, from Blacksburg Country Club, to be its chef. A menu for the restaurant has not been finalized.
The left side of the building will become a bar-like area, tentatively named Dirty Turkey. Along with three pool tables, the bar will feature arcade games, and a patio is set for construction on the side of the building facing Giles Road.
Using a separate ventilation system to comply with new state regulations, the bar area will allow smoking. Other areas of the building will not permit smoking.
The back of the restaurant will feature a wine lounge. Management has hired a sommelier, or wine steward, to work its wine lounge area. John Boyer, a professor of geography and regular customer of Lefty’s, has discussed the possibility of using the space as a “lab” to teach students about wine.
“I’d been planting the seed for a while,” Boyer said. “There’s a big wine drinking community here. I’ve been wanting anybody to open a wine-focused establishment for a while now.”
Boyer said that a change in culture involving wine consumption could have “a very positive impact on drinking behavior.”
A second floor banquet room will remain open for group events.
Work has been going on for about a week on the building. While the building’s exterior has seen few changes other than a change to the electronic sign, the building’s interior has seen drastic renovations. Changes will be made to the flooring in many locations in the building, and areas throughout the restaurant will be repainted.
Frank Perkovich, owner of Lefty’s and the new restaurant, said he felt no pressure in taking over the location from Bogen’s, which went out of business in May 2009 after operating for 27 years.
Bill Ellenbogen, former Virginia Tech football player and owner of the building that housed Bogen’s and the new 622 North, could not be reached for comment.
“Bill’s a friend of mine,” Perkovich said. “I hope he’s proud of how we bring in the next chapter of this building.”
Restaurant management is taking its marketing of the restaurant online. Along with a blog featuring a walk-through tour of the space, www.blog.622north.com, the restaurant has communicated to customers through accounts on Facebook and Twitter.
Perkovich said he felt there was a market in Blacksburg for his restaurant.
“There’s always room for better food, better space, better atmosphere,” Perkovich said.