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History of a Painting - Billy's Ritz

By Larry Johnston

Real Estate Agent with Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC RB14037276

January 02, 2016 11:31 PM

History of a Painting - Billy's Ritz,

Roanoke, VA.

Acrylic Painting by Larry Johnston©

For several years, in late 1980s and early 1990s, I exhibited at the Arts Festival, in Roanoke, Virginia. I might add, they put on a great event, especially the entertainment for the public. Since it was downtown, Roanoke, we were able to visit several restaurants, during our visit.

One of the restaurants, was "Billy's Ritz", located adjacent to the Roanoke City Market. It was housed in the previous site of the 60 room "Ames Hotel", which was built in 1910, according to records. Billy's Ritz, was an upscale American, Steakhouse, which operated for 27 years, before selling in 2008.

Several other paintings from Roanoke, that I painted, was "Texas Tavern", "The Roanoke Wiener Stand" and "Agnew Seed Store".

Check out some of my other Paintings and the stories behind them:

50s Diner, Sarasota, FL,.... Biff Burger,.... Dog 'n Mug,.... Bonnie Doon Ice Cream, Mishawaka,.... Skyline Chili,.... Meat & Cheese,.... Carter's Hamburgers,.... Movie Theatres, (Set of 4),.... Oliver Ford,.... Krispy Kreme, Atlanta, GA,.... Behind the House,.... Fishing Flies (Set of 4),.... Brewster's Taxi,.... Underwater swimmer looking up,.... Miami, FL Fire Station,.... Diving Dog,.... Stone Mtn Mill - Summer,.... Underwater Face,.... Detroit FOX Theatre,.... Gas Pumps (Set of 4),.... Ft. George Drive-in Theatre,.... Red Covered Bridges (Set of 4),.... Gone Fishing,.... Duck Decoys (Set of 4),.... Agnew Seed Store,.... Brown Covered Bridges (Set of 4),.... The Prange Building ,.... Crown Point, Criminal Court,.... Coconut Tree,.... Barns - (Set of 4),.... Pedal Cars - Set of 4,.... Starr's Mill,.... Fishing Lures Set of 4,.... Fireman's -Set of 4,.... The Fire Dept.,.... Barber - Set of 4,.... Barber Pole,.... Shrimp Boat,.... Hot Air Balloon - Set,.... Los Angeles Theatre,.... Florida Lighthouses set,.... Fire Dog,.... Louis' Lunch,.... Fresh Fruit,.... Bumper Cars,.... Roanoke Weiner Stand,.... Skyline Chili & Weinermobile,.... Fried Green Tomatoes windw,.... Bradford's store,.... Monaco Bay Nightclub,.... milk silo,.... 4-Seasons of Outhouses,.... Shrimp Boat,.... Wings for You,.... Texas Tavern,.... Columbia Street Roastery,.... FOX Theatre, Atlanta, The King & I,.... Luigi's Pizza,.... Tilley's Trolley,.... Sixes Road Mill,.... Savannah, GA Carriage,.... Hope Train Depot,.... Jackson Drink Stand,.... Euharlee Covered Bridge - Spring,.... Toy Ferris Wheel,.... Roselawn,.... Sewing Machine,.... Rosie's Diner, 2nd painting,.... Billy Goat Tavern,.... The Varsity - 2nd painting,.... The Varsity,.... Wickers End,.... LaSalle Hotel Rooftop Sign,.... Waffle House,.... Crown Point, IN Jail,.... Roses and the Old,.... Train,.... Norman's,.... Sinclair Gas Pump,.... Wicker Guest House,.... Ted Peter's Smoked Fish,.... Stone Mounain Grist Mill,.... Classic Milk Shake,.... Juke Box Song Selector,.... Thrasher Bros Warehouse,.... Wood & Swank Post Office,.... Restored Truck,.... Brown Barn Texaco,.... Weldy School,.... Broken Swing,.... Chicago Theatre,.... Bonnie Doon Ice Cream, S. Mich. St.,.... Armuchee House,.... The Corner Shelf,.... Loew's Jersey Theatre,.... Marathon Gas Pump,.... Calloway's Round Barn,.... River Street, Savannah, GA,.... Court House, Crown Point, IN,.... Pooles Mill Covered Bridge,.... Steak and Shake,.... The Peanut Shop,.... Hot Diggity Dogs,.... Wrigley Field,.... Piano Through a Window,.... The Coconut Tree,.... Barber Tonics,.... Pelican Diner,.... A & W Drive-in,.... The Lantern,.... The FOX Theatre, Atlanta,... Tri-Way Outdoor Theatre,... Rexall Drug Store,... A Family Homestead,... The Palace Theatre,... Angel's Diner,... Krispy Kreme, Gainsville, Florida,... Bonnie Doon US31,... Ross Diner,... The Gag & Heave,... A&W Root Beer Barrel,... Bonnie Doon, Lincolnway, Mishawaka, IN,... Train Depot, Cartersville, GA,... Dairy Queen,... Firestone Store,... The South Shore,... The Gathering Place,... 4-Way Lunch,... Mustard and Ketchup,... McDonald's,... Lost Mountain Store,... The Big Chicken,... Euharlee, GA. Covered Bridge,... Juliette, GA Church,... Fried Green Tomatoes House,... Whistle Stop Cafe,... Whistle Stop Train Depot,... Tilley Park,... Jimmy's Hurricane,... Barber Chair,... Fire Truck,... Rosies Diner,... Judge Roy Bean's