At the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building in Roanoke, Star City Cafe has now taken over the vacant basement restaurant space and is serving breakfast and lunch on weekdays. The cafe, owned by the city government and managed by the Berglund Center, is now open for business.
Robyn Schon Smith, the General Manager of the Berglund Center, oversees operations at the cafe. Patrons can enjoy a variety of “hot lunch baskets” that include fries, a salad or soup, and a choice of a burger, chicken bacon Swiss sandwich, “ultimate” cheesesteak or chicken tenderloins. These are the priciest items on the menu according to an online menu.
Before opening, an inspection by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) found that Star City Cafe was out of compliance with a staffing requirement related to food safety. Restaurants in Virginia are required to have a certified food protection manager on staff. Although the Berglund Center has a food and beverage manager with the necessary credentials, that person is currently on long-term leave. VDH spokeswoman Christie Wills recommended that another individual be appointed to fulfill this role before Star City Cafe could open its doors to customers.