A Sleepy Community No Longer

by

There’s no shortage of things to eat, see and do in Vinton these days.

Whether you’re looking for a great place to eat after a long day of outdoor adventures or selecting an indoor activity the whole family will enjoy on a rainy day, Vinton is full of options that are sure to please residents of all ages.

With new restaurants opening and exciting changes on the horizon for some local favorites, Vinton’s dining scene is absolutely booming. In early April 2023, Pok-E-Joe’s BBQ celebrated the grand opening of their Vinton location at Vinyard Station. Owner Cory Welch has always called Vinton home, and he loves that it’s such an inviting, family-friendly town. He’s hopeful that their extensive menu offerings – BBQ, burgers, flatbreads and more – and his own family’s friendly presence in the dining room will keep adults and kiddos alike coming back for more. So far, it looks like it’s working. “It’s beyond what we could imagine,” says Welch. “The welcome has been warm and very supportive.”

Vinyard Station is also the home of RND Coffee’s Vinton location, a small-batch roaster and coffee lounge perfect to pay a visit to the next time you need a pick-me-up.

One of the town’s most cherished family-owned eateries, Dogwood Restaurant, truly has a little something for everyone. From country ham and grits to fried catfish and Salisbury steak, Dogwood’s Southern-style options and cozy atmosphere is bound to be a crowd-pleaser. Be on the lookout for the completion of their pet-friendly green space, outdoor patio and other improvements. Our Daily Bread’s newest location has quickly become a community staple and recently began serving dinner in addition to their delicious breakfast and French-inspired lunch offerings. It also doesn’t hurt that their dessert and pastry options are virtually endless!

Vinton’s restaurant scene wouldn’t be complete without an assortment of locations dishing up popular comfort foods. Some of Big Belly Pizza Subs and Burgers’ classic offerings are right in their name, but they also serve tasty salads, calzones and pasta dishes. Bob’s Restaurant has been slinging hot dogs and juicy six-ounce burgers since 1984, and New York Pizza serves mouth-watering Italian-style favorites including pizza by the slice, making them a great pitstop for a lunch on the go. FarmBurguesa whips up unique, farm-to-table burgers and bowls made from locally-sourced ingredients as well as tostones as a nod to the owners’ Colombian heritage. For those that adore authentic Mexican food, look no further than La Casa Del Burrito Taco Shop. 

A fun day out on the town for adults has never been easier or more exciting, as some of the area’s businesses are working to combine their dining and entertainment experiences. The old Star City Playhouse building is currently being renovated to house Pollard 107 South, a new American-style restaurant planning to open its doors by midsummer 2023. Owner Jonathan Pate, who is also a partner of Cast Plates & Pints and local Awful Arthur’s restaurants, hopes that Pollard 107 South’s open-air atmosphere and large side patio complete with a fire pit and outdoor bar access will satisfy the community’s desire for more entertainment options in addition to expanding their dining choices.

“Whether you’re there to have dinner with your family, there to watch sports, [or to have] large parties, our menu will have options for everyone,” says Pate.

In addition to their beer, Twin Creeks Brewpub, located inside Roanoke County’s Explore Park, is serving succulent burgers, wings and appetizers for patrons to nibble on by the fire pits while they enjoy live music. For folks interested in weekly bingo and trivia nights accompanied by live musical performances (soon to be taking place on a brand-new outdoor stage!) and a wide selection of cold craft beers to choose from, be sure to stop by Twin Creeks’ taproom – the county’s first craft brewery – located in the heart of downtown Vinton.

While Rosie’s Gaming Emporium is known for being the Town’s premier adult entertainment space, they also serve delicious eats. Take a break from gaming and order up one of their out-of-this-world burgers, fresh salads, flatbread pizzas, sandwiches or a donut for a little something sweet.

The community has been having a blast at Rosie’s, especially since the space more than  doubled in size and added  new entertainment options thanks to their 2021 expansion. Rosie’s now has 473 horse wagering games on their floor and has added a 280-space parking garage. Marketing manager Jeff Spaugh says that being able to incorporate a brand new stage for live music has been quite the hit, so much so that they’ve had to pull some gaming machines off the floor just to make room for the massive crowds that come flooding in on performance nights.

Gish Mill is in the process of being transformed into a multipurpose community space. Plans in the works for the historical site include the construction of a seasonal marketplace, lodging, a restaurant, a large stage for live entertainment and a speakeasy located in the former cellar.

There’s also no shortage of entertainment for the whole family to enjoy together. While you wait for Gish Mill’s renovation to be completed, consider taking a short walk over to Upson House, the home of the Vinton History Museum, and explore the town’s history by looking at artifacts, photographs and more that date back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Firehouse Skate ‘N Play’s arcade games, roller skating and kids play-zone are sure to keep patrons of all ages engaged. The River Park shopping center on Bypass Road – recently renovated by The Wilkinson Group, Inc. – houses Defy Gravity Training Center, the perfect location for kiddos to burn off some steam through tumbling classes, competitive cheer or by trying their hands at tackling ninja warrior course setups. 

There’s no better place to find entertainment than the Vinton Farmers’ Market. From June to September, the Vinton Chamber of Commerce sponsors the Mingle at the Market Summer Concert Series. On the second and fourth Saturdays of each month from 7-10 p.m., those in attendance have a great time listening to live music, enjoying delicious food and drinks and hanging out with other members of the community. The Chamber-hosted Fall Festival has always been a town favorite, taking place each year in early October. It features around 100 craft and food vendors, a petting zoo, kids zone, live entertainment on two stages and more. The annual Dogwood Festival also takes place downtown each April.

The War Memorial has long been the home of many of Vinton’s events, including the Chamber of Commerce’s Vinton Palooza. It also makes for a stunning wedding venue with its custom chandeliers, hardwood floors and historic charm. The LOVEworks sign on the front lawn also just so happens to make the perfect backdrop for photos of the happy couple!

Recreational opportunities in Vinton are also plentiful. LancerLot Sports Complex, home of the Virginia Tech ice hockey team, is an 85,000-square-foot facility dedicated to all things sports and fitness. They offer public skating on their state-of-the-art rink, workout classes for all experience levels and swim lessons. For parents looking to squeeze in a quick workout, LancerLot offers free childcare for members with children ages six weeks to 12 years old. Non-members are welcome to purchase day passes to use the gym and pools.

If you’re looking to get outside for some fresh air, stop by Stonebridge Park for a picnic and play a game of tennis or pickleball on one of their newly-renovated courts before meandering along the Wolf Creek Greenway to admire Roanoke County’s natural beauty. Walnut Avenue recently underwent an initial phase of renovation to improve pedestrian and biking accommodations with a second beginning in early summer 2023. “We really [want] to make our community more walkable and bike friendly, which will help reduce the number of vehicles on our roads,” says Town Manager Pete Peters.

Glade Creek Greenway, which runs perpendicular to Walnut Avenue, has undergone numerous improvements with more on the way, including connecting the trail to Vinyard Park and surrounding neighborhoods. In addition to this greenway being an extension of the wider Roanoke County Greenway network, the updates to the trail further the Town’s goal of making it easier for residents to reach businesses in the downtown Vinton area without needing a car. 

Vinton’s Tinker Creek canoe launch on 3rd Street has become a popular access point for those looking to take a leisurely float down the Roanoke River. Unlike some of the other Roanoke River Blueway access points, this site has a picnic area, canoe rack, information kiosk and a paved parking area.

With endless ways for people of all ages to spend the day in Vinton, it’s clear that this once quaint and quiet town is growing into something so much more.