A grandson of the founders of the iconic Lowery’s Restaurant last week made an 11th hour plea to have his family’s debt to the Town of Tappahannock retired.
Robert Tyler Lowery, the grandson of William Wesley and Lorelle Lowery and a former Tappahannock Councilor, made the request at the end of the Tappahannock Town Council’s November 12 meeting.
The Lowerys created the operation in 1938 as a sandwich shop along Prince Street. With business flourishing, the Lowerys moved the business to 528 North Church Lane in the 1940s. The Lowerys’ sons — William Wesley III (who passed away in 2021) and Robert Lowery — later headed the operation.
The restaurant, which was originally put up for sale in 2018, closed at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and never reopened.
At last week’s Council meeting Lowery noted he was present to speak on behalf of his parents Rob and Nancy Lowery. He added that he was not authorized to speak on the behalf of Sharon Lowery and her son Duby.
Lowery pointed out that the business at one point had a Trailways Bus station and was a Chicken in the Rough franchise.
“Through its 82 years it was a mainstay of this town,” said an emotional Lowery. “Through most of its 82 years the restaurant prospered and so did the town. Through those years, Lowery’s employed thousands of people, maybe even some of you. For some, it was the only job they had.”
Lowery also mentioned that the restaurant sponsored multiple community functions and was a destination for motorists traveling the Route 17-360 corridor. He also commented about the restaurant banquet hall that was the largest in the area and hosted a multitude of events.
“All this was done while (the restaurant’s owners) paid more than likely millions of dollars in taxes to the town and Essex County,” Lowery said.
It was in the early 2010s when the restaurant began to experience a decline on the financial side, Lowery reported.
“Changing consumer habits, growing competition, and a changing demographic can all be listed as causes,” he said. “Whatever the reason, the business was on a downward trend.”
He noted that several changes were made including the addition of the Captain’s Bar and Grill to spike business.
“While these things helped, they were not enough,” he told Council. “Bills piled up and the business was struggling.”
Lowery noted the business was even featured on a national television show — celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay’s “24 Hours to Hell and Back.”
“The jury is still out on what that did for us,” Lowery said. “Hindsight being what it was, it should have been a time to prompt us to close the restaurant. But instead, my parents — along with William and Sharon — doubled down and did everything they could.”
Lowery said that real estate was sold, bank accounts drained as well as retirement and savings accounts in an effort to keep the business afloat.
“I know it was hundreds and hundreds of thousands of dollars put into that restaurant,” he said. “The last three years, my dad and uncle did not draw a paycheck and spent every waking hour trying to save that place.”
Tyler said his father and uncle personally signed for unpaid meals taxes that totaled more than $88,000.
“My parents are in their 70s, a time that should be filled with fishing or traveling,” Tyler said. “Instead, it’s filled with worry and wonder; under constant fear that the town will come and take their house.”
Moreover, there are outstanding state and federal taxes which has led to Tyler’s father’s monthly Social Security check to be garnished.
Lowery said about two years ago he met with Mayor Roy M. Gladding and later former town attorney Diane Lank to discuss what could be done about the debt.
“Those talks were fruitless,” Lowery said. “But, I was left with the assurance that the town had no appetite for taking anyone’s home and to let sleeping dogs lie. I was assured these things have a way of working themselves out.”
In September, though, Lowery said his parents received a letter from town attorneys — Sands Anderson — detailing the debt with interest, penalties and attorneys’ fees, including an additional $18,000 in meals taxes that were not part of the original agreement my parents and others signed on to.”
Lowery said the letter indicated that a potential payment plan could not extend more than six months.
“That’s $18,600 every month,” he said.
Additionally, Lowery said the letter indicated the town will continue collection efforts.
“I read that as pay up or else,” he stated.
Also, Lowery said an offer was made to remove his parents from the debt.
“I want to make it clear that any debt paid at this point comes out of my pocket and my wife’s pocket,” Lowery said. “The town may be fine with forcing the sale of homes and properties, but I am not.”
Last month, Lowery said his parent’s attorney received a letter indicating the offer had been rejected, stating the debt must be paid by December 31 or the town would arrange a forced sale of properties.
Lowery said he further met with town manager Eric Pollitt saying while the conversation was cordial, Pollitt “made it perfectly clear that it was the town’s position and Council’s position that all money must be collected or else. They had identified properties they could take.”
Lowery said he next met again with Gladding but was unable to reach a resolution.
However, he said the conversation turned to “the good old days” and “he used the term community credit and all the good things that business did for the community. I challenge any of you to name another business that’s been around for 80- plus years and done as much for our small town as Lowery’s Restaurant did.”
Tyler further stated, “There’s no doubt a debt is owed, but I am simply here to cash in on some of that community credit that we built up over 82 years. Eight-two years has to count for something. Thousands of jobs has to count for something. So, tonight I respectfully asked the Council to carefully consider its options as you decide the final footnote in the 82 year history of Lowery’s Restaurant. It’s been nearly five years since the business closed and I think it’s time to put this to rest. I’m respectfully asking for you to forgive this debt. Allow my parents — and by extension the rest of my family — to close this painful chapter of our lives. I respectfully ask you to direct the town manager and the town attorney to drop this case. If the town must have its pound of flesh, at least ask the town manager and town attorney to be reasonable. They seem to be only looking at dollars and cents, as is their job. But, I’m asking you to consider the people involved. They are not some far-away corporation, with faceless names on a piece of paper. They are still here in our community, at our churches, and shopping in our local stores. Please give them the dignity to look each of you in the eye and say thank you.”
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