The longtime owner of the Roanoke Weiner Stand has died. Gus Pappas was 82 years old.

A Greek immigrant, Pappas came to the United States in 1955 and went to work for his aunt and uncle who owned the business.

He was a fixture behind the counter for many years. He was also fast, and according to local lore, was able to fix 25 hot dogs in a minute.

"How many hot dogs do you figure you've made over the years," our reporter asked in 1974. "Oh I don't know. I have no idea," Pappas said. "Just tell 'em they don't have an IBM machine that can count that high," said another employee behind the counter.

Steven Donald Morris is the General Manager of the Weiner Stand No. 2 on Lee Highway. Even after Pappas retired, Morris said he continued to visit the store every day.

"His best compliment he would give anybody would be, 'good American.' And that's what he was," Morris said. "He was a good American. He was very proud."

Pappas was also proud of the family-owned business he passed down to his nephew.

The Roanoke Weiner Stand is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.