Share
Two of Blacksburg's iconic Main Street businesses have gone up for sale.
Big Al's Grille and Sport's Bar and Poor Billy's Seafood Restaurant, as well as the building of 201 N Main St., have been put on the market.
The building and businesses are being listed by the firm Drucker and Falk Real Estate at a current price of $3.5 million. Further details of the listing remain confidential.
Originally opening with Big Al's Hair Salon on the first floor, the building and businesses have been run by the Edwards family since 1977. Led by 'Big' Al and his wife Shirl, as well as their daughter Julie and son Billy, it has remained a family business for the duration.
Big Al's Sports Bar was not introduced until 1998, aimed at sports enthusiasts and increasing business by also selling alcoholic beverages such as the "Trash Can," their Long Island iced tea and a variety of foods.
In 2000, the hair salon was closed and replaced with Poor Billy's Seafood, an idea from its namesake, Billy Edwards. It was aimed at more upscale clientele, selling sushi and tapas, as well as including an outdoor patio.
When the business proved to be successful, the Edwards family opened Poor Billy's Sushi behind the Main Street building in order to accommodate larger crowds. Whether this additional building will be included in the sale is still uncertain.
The reasons for the Edwards family's attempt to sell the buildings and businesses are still not known, but regulars to Poor Billy's and Big Al's should be ready for change.
Follow this writer on Twitter @HokieRealist
A version of this article appeared in the Nov 15 issue of the Collegiate Times.
Leave a comment 16 Comments Write a letter to the editor
All letters to the editor must include a name, e-mail, daytime phone number and affiliation to Virginia Tech. Affiliation includes: year and major for students; position and department for faculty and staff; current city for alumni and parents.
This comment was deleted for violating our comment policy.
Top
it's been listed for sale for about 3 years. not really breaking news
Reply to this Top
Yeah this is not news at all....at least 2 buyers have fallen through at the last minute. Been on the market for awhile....
Reply to this Top
Poor Billy's was my favorite bar when I was a student. I'll be very sad to see it go
Reply to this Top
Not trying to be mean, but it has been on sale for over 2 years.
Reply to this Top
The reasons these and many other businesses are going out of business is LIBERALS.
Reply to this Top
Yeah, Like all of the LIBERALS that got together to attend the fundraiser for the wife of a bar tender who's wife was so sick she was in intensive care at UVA. They are absolutely behind the downfall of the place.
Thank god and the free market she had a health insurance - oh wait!
Reply to this Top
Poor Billy's doesn't sell tapas and it doesn't have a patio. They sell sushi, great seafood, amazing steaks, and other fine dining cuisine. Poor Billy's Small Plates is run out of the building behind the main build and THEY sell tapas and have a patio.
Not breaking news and poor fact checking. No one orders trash cans either.
Reply to this Top
This comment was deleted for violating our comment policy.
Top
This comment was deleted for violating our comment policy.
Top
Local patrons, parents, and visitors to Blacksburg would support downtown restaurants if they would be more than an unfinished bar-looking dive. It is unfortunate that yet another downtown establishment will turn into an empty storefront.
Reply to this Top
This comment was deleted for violating our comment policy.
Top
Can't comment on whether this is old news (as it's new to me) but I wouldn't be surprised. Regardless, poor research and not even an ATTEMPT to contact the owners to ask what the deal was. CT needs to step its game up if it wants to be considered a remotely legitimate rag.
Also, as of last time I was at Big Al's I'd hardly consider it an unfinished dive. I can think of far worse bars to frequent in the 'burg.
Reply to this Top
You simply copied an individual else’s story. Incredible Thriller Of The online stores to buy dresses womens designer dresses http://www.squidoo.com/uk-dresses
Reply to this Top
Good web site! I truly love how it is easy on my eyes and the data are well written. I am wondering how I might be notified when a new post has been made. Nola http://www.gazetasng.ru/news/show/10465.html
Reply to this Top
ajdhoyykla <a href="http://www.timberlandschuhede.eu/22-womens-timberland-14inch-stiefel/" title="Frauen Timberland 14inch Stiefel">Frauen Timberland 14inch Stiefel</a>
Reply to this Top