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☆ Who will buy Hotel Roanoke?

☆ Who will buy Hotel Roanoke?

Hotel Roanoke, Fall Foliage Report, and New Dunkin Donut

October 13, 2025

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Good morning, Roanoke! It’s October 13th, the temps cooled off fast last week, but don’t worry, the news around town is still hot.

In today’s Around the Noke:

Virginia Tech Exploring Selling Hotel Roanoke
Fall Foliage Report
New Dunkin’ Donuts Location

Let’s get into it!

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🏨 Virginia Tech Exploring Selling Hotel Roanoke

Virginia Tech announced this week that it’s exploring the idea of selling the historic Hotel Roanoke. The university says the hotel’s finances remain strong, but with many agreements expiring soon, now’s the right time to have conversations with the City of Roanoke about a potential sale.

A little history lesson: the hotel was originally built in 1882, back when Roanoke was still known as Big Lick. Norfolk & Western Railways constructed it, with Frederick J. Kimball choosing the site as the grand centerpiece for travelers coming through the city.

From 1882 to 1989, the hotel expanded and evolved under railroad ownership. But as rail travel declined, Norfolk Southern (N&W’s successor) closed the hotel after 107 years in operation. The property was later donated to Virginia Tech, which—along with $28 million in public and private support through the “Renew Roanoke” campaign—restored the hotel into the beloved landmark we know today.

So what now? Who do you think will buy the Hotel Roanoke?

🍂 Fall Foliage Report

🍩 New Dunkin’ Donut Location

Dunkin’ is opening a brand-new location at 536 Orange Avenue NE, Roanoke. A ribbon-cutting assembly will be on Tuesday.

Upcoming events that you do not want to miss this week.

If you see “$” in the event description, that means it is a paid event. Events with no “$” are free to attend!

Monday - Oct 13
🎬 Monday Night Fright Club: The Craft + Disturbing Behavior @ Starr Hill Roanoke Pilot Brewery & Side Stage | Roanoke | 6 - 10 PM | (details)

Thursday - Oct 16
🏆 Small Business Celebration & Awards Ceremony @ Berglund Special Events Center | $ | Roanoke | 5:30 - 7:30 PM | (details)
📚 An Evening with Beth Macy: Paper Girl Book Launch @ Charter Hall, City Market Building | $ | Roanoke | 6 - 8:30 PM | (details)

Sunday - Oct 19
🏃‍♀️ $5 5K Presented by RunAbout Sports @ Elmwood Park (GO Fest) | $ | Roanoke | 10 – 11 AM | (details)
🕵️‍♀️ Halloween Murder Mystery @ Well Hung Vineyard | $ | Roanoke | 5 – 8 PM | (details)

Monday – Oct 13
Big Lick Brewing Co. | Irish Music Session | 6:30 PM

Monday
74° 🌡️ 54° | 🌤️ | 8% | 💨 NNW 9 mph

Tuesday
71° 🌡️ 51° | ☀️ | 5% | 💨 NNW 9 mph

Wednesday
78° 🌡️ 50° | ☀️ | 7% | 💨 NW 9 mph

Thursday
73° 🌡️ 42° | ☀️ | 5% | 💨 NW 9 mph

Friday
72° 🌡️ 47° | 🌤️ | 6% | 💨 W 6 mph

Saturday
79° 🌡️ 56° | 🌤️ | 9% | 💨 SW 8 mph

Sunday
76° 🌡️ 54° | 🌧️ | 39% | 💨 SW 9 mph

💧🌡️ Smith Mountain Lake water temp =70 ºF

See y’all around the Noke! 👋