See Roanoke With the Stars of Salvage Dawgs

If you’ve seen the DIY Network show Salvage Dawgs, then you already know Robert Kulp and Mike Whiteside, the stars of the show and the owners of the Roanoke, Virginia-based architectural salvage company Black Dog Salvage. The reality show first aired in 2012, and while Kulp and Whiteside’s treasure hunts make for good TV, it’s the partners’ unique personalities and their love for their hometown that makes every episode so compelling.

Creating Antiques of the Future

Mike Whiteside, left, and Robert Kulp have had their treasure hunts filmed for Salvage Dawgs since 2012.

When buildings throughout the region are set to be demolished, the Black Dog Salvage crew works to secure remarkable discarded items and hardware, like stained-glass windows or pieces of railroad. Their goal is to restore these pieces so that they can either be reused for their original purposes or upcycled to create something brand-new. These repurposed items—like the chaise lounge made from a salvaged conveyor belt or the chandelier constructed from a five-pendant wagon wheel—are sold in Black Dog’s 40,000 square foot marketplace near Roanoke’s Grandin Village neighborhood.

Whiteside and Kulp believe that their Earth-conscious do-it-yourself approach makes their show that much more compelling. Photo credit: Sarah Hauser - Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge

“We recreate those resources to build unique, one-of-a-kind furniture pieces of works of art,” Whiteside says. “Tables and bars are our favorites.”

Kulp has always been interested in architectural history and Roanoke history, so he appreciates the things—old and new—that make this part of the country so unique. While Kulp and Whiteside are known for creatively using their resources to build products for companies and private homeowners, they’ve also turned to recycling to minimize their footprint. They hope this encourages viewers and visitors to think about how they can do the same at home.

“With our show’s DIY factor, viewers believe they can do it, too,” Whiteside says. “It’s part of mainstream America now. [People] want to recycle items headed for the trash and turn them into new pieces that will live on. We’re creating the antiques of the future.”

See the Work in Person

There’s so much to see at Black Dog Salvage marketplace, so make sure you have a few hours to browse.

Visitors flock to Roanoke to get their hands on the remarkable pieces they see come to life on Salvage Dawgs. This thrills Whiteside and Kulp not only because of what it means for their business’ bottom line, but because of what it means for their hometown.

“Taking a piece of Black Dog home with you is like taking a piece of Roanoke, too,” Whiteside says. “We are a homegrown company that really identifies with Roanoke.”

When you visit the Black Dog Salvage marketplace, you’ll be stunned at its size. It’s much bigger than you’d expect, and with so many unique pieces to look at, prepare to spend a few hours here if you want to see it all. (Be sure to check out the works from regional artists, including Whiteside’s aunt.) The marketplace also has a DIY paint studio with classes by appointment.

And if you hang around long enough or happen to visit on a weekend, don’t be surprised if you bump into Kulp or Whiteside or see the duo hard at work in the shop.

Stay and Play in Roanoke

Smith Mountain Lake State Park is one of Whiteside’s favorite spots to explore around Roanoke. Photo credit: Smith Mountain Lake Chamber of Commerce - Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge

After your visit to the marketplace, spend the night at one of the Roanoke hotels so you can explore the city the next day, Salvage Dawgs-style. Whiteside encourages visitors to spend time at Smith Mountain Lake State Park, a gorgeous area with plenty of water activities. Kulp recommends heading into downtown Roanoke to get a feel for the city’s personality and to see its great views. His favorite restaurant, Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint, has great food and unique tap systems at the wood-and-metal bar and on the salvaged front bumper of a 1946 Ford bus. The Black Dog Salvage crew built both pieces.

“People come to Roanoke and tell us we live in a beautiful area,” Whiteside says. “We know it. It’s got everything—mountains, water, culture, great music. It’s a tight little package of a lot of good things.”