Joe Kennedy

Joe Kennedy is routinely named the region's best writer by readers of The Roanoker magazine.

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Wednesday morning, I awoke with a yen for nostalgia and emotion, so I left the office at lunchtime to take a deep draft of the atmosphere in downtown Roanoke, where nostalgia and emotion exist in ample supply.

I stopped at the Grand Ballroom of the Patrick Henry Hotel to absorb the sights and sounds -- and nostalgia and emotion -- of the Downtown Kiwanis Club meeting, details for another column I plan to write.

Within 10 minutes, I declined six invitations to sit down for lunch and met half-a-dozen guys who just came up and introduced themselves.

It reminded me of the Kiwanis meeting I went to in 1994, when Garrison Keillor, creator of public radio's "A Prairie Home Companion," spoke.

I don't remember his jokes, just that I laughed so hard my ribs hurt.

Afterward, Keillor and I walked to the Roanoke City Market, where he went into overtime signing books and charming people at the old Books, Strings and Things store.

That evening, he and his cast put on a performance of "Prairie Home" at the Roanoke Civic Center.

He was impressed

A month later, Keillor wrote a New York Times piece in which he said "the South has some of the prettiest places in America, handsome old cities like Roanoke."

He also declared that "A city like Roanoke ('The Star City') with its handsome old market district full of bookstores, bars, antique stores and slow-food joints is not built by running people out of town."

In February, not a few market vendors wondered if they'd be run out of town to accommodate undisclosed changes to Center in the Square, the cultural arts building in the heart of the market.

That's when Tom Brock, president of Center's board, made perhaps the biggest public relations gaffe of the new century by suggesting that the market area had "a lot of good options" if people would "take away the nostalgia and emotion."

Brock and Center president Jim Sears said the Roanoke Weiner Stand might have to move out of Center's northeast corner.

A Roanoke Times analysis indicated that more than half the vendors' stalls would be eliminated or moved.

A firestorm ensued

You can get run out of any town by attacking such beloved landmarks.

In Roanoke, which has plenty of rails to run you out on, remarks like those are downright foolish.

Sears and Brock found themselves up a famous creek.

The contretemps moved the mayor to hold some private meetings among Center reps, some vendors and merchants and other downtown factions.

Since then, we've heard little.

We all know that Center has to find some way to renew itself once the Art Museum of Western Virginia moves to its startling quarters under construction around the corner.

I've heard from nobody who regards Center as the market's big dog. Many believe that the vendors and shops are the primary draw.

On Wednesday, I asked some market business people and others what they've discerned of Center's renovation plan, including the inside part.

They said that, as near as they can tell, there is no plan, only a concept -- and some wide divisions among Center's board members.

Brock has what may tactfully be described as a strong personality. So do others who are involved.

Differences come as no surprise.

Barry Corswandt of Sumdat Market said Jim Sears had invited him to a meeting with Spectrum Design, the architectural firm involved in Center's renovation, to offer ideas.

Corswandt said he asked Sears if he'd be able to keep his space, and received enough of a non-negative answer to agree to attend. He thinks the odds of his staying are 50-50.

Gary Crowder of Wertz's Restaurant and Wine Cellar also agreed to attend the meeting.

Crowder seemed confident that the public outcry will keep Center and the city from screwing up the market too badly, although it is likely to change some.

Vigilance, people, vigilance.

The market's nostalgia and emotion, Roanoke's heart and soul, aren't saved yet.

Too little is known to nap now.

Joe Kennedy's column runs Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.