www.roanoke.com

Earlier this week, I wrote about some cost cutting efforts going on at Valley View Mall, including the mall's removal of its customer service area.

I could not reach any other local or regional shopping centers in time for that story's publication, but today, I heard from the manager of Christiansburg's New River Valley Mall.

Apparently, this shopping center is making changes that are similar to those at Valley View. For one, the position of marketing director, held by Rhonda Willson, has been eliminated at the New River Valley Mall to save money, said Mike Poldiak, the mall's manager.

Marketing now is being handled by a group director for the region, through the mall's owner, Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust in Philadelphia.

Also, the New River Valley Mall no longer has a specified customer service area, as of June 30. All customer service functions, from selling gift cards to security matters, will be handled through the mall's main office, Poldiak told me.

By eliminating the customer service area, the mall cut some part-time jobs. Poldiak told me he didn't know how many positions were terminated.

He said the mall is "just doing the prudent thing in these times." He wouldn't disclose the mall's sales or other financial information.

The New River Valley mall's main office is open during the shopping center's regular hours, which are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 7 p.m.

The National Retail Federation's STORES magazine announced the top 100 retailers by annual revenue in 2008 today.  I thought you'd be interesed in this ranking of the Top 10 on the list. Note that discount and food retailers mainly are near the top.

1. Wal-Mart

2. Kroger

3. Costco

4. Home Depot

5. Target

6. Walgreens

7. CVS Caremark

8. Lowe's Home Improvement

9. Sears Holding

10. Best Buy

Click here to read an analysis of how these retailers squeezed into the top 10.

Good Morning, blog readers. I have updates on two local store openings that are fast approaching.

Dunkin Donuts: The final preparations are happening this week, as the opening of Dunkin Donuts' new shop in Southwest Roanoke County draws near. This new location at Keagy Village is slated to open this Friday at 5 a.m.

2nd helpings: This new thrift shop, art gallery and cafe, operated by the Roanoke Rescue Mission, opens to the public this Monday. The cafe opens at 6:30 a.m., while the gallery and thrift shop will open at 10 a.m. 

The new Roanoke store at the Civic Mall on Williamson Road is holding a special preview night event tomorrow from 6 to 8 p.m.  At the event, there will be music, food tastings, a fashion show modeling some of the apparel to be sold and a live auction.

Today, in the downtown Roanoke farmer's market area at 11 a.m. , a flood of people wearing bright pink raincoats will be handing out invitations to this preview night. By presenting your invitation you can receive free coffee, tea or a fountain drink during the preview festivities.

Proceeds from 2nd helpings' sales will benefit the Rescue Mission and its new medical clinic in particular. The non-profit wants to raise $1 million to pay for renovations to its expanded medical clinic and at the 2nd helpings' space. So far, it has raised $479,500.

If you are following the investigation of bacteria found in Nestle Toll House cookie dough, here's the latest report on this refridgerated dough, produced at a Danville plant.

The Food and Drug Administration has confirmed the presence of E coli 0157 in the dough, after it was voluntarily recalled on June 19.

We've been inundated with food recalls in the past year. How have certain recalls impacted what you buy and eat on a daily basis?

The wood floors have a shiny new finish, and a mountain scene mural adorns the walls.

Today, a former 101-year-old seed shop in downtown Roanoke officially took on a new identity.

Walkabout Outfitter, an outdoors and camping supply store, opened inside the former Agnew Seed building on Market Street in downtown Roanoke.

Kirk Miller, along with his wife, Tina, purchased this building for $525,000 at an auction in March. Kirk Miller owns Walkabout, while Tina Miller owns Ladles and Linens, a kitchen shop next door to Walkabout in downtown's market area.

Walkabout only moved a few doors away from its previous storefront at 307 Market St. to the Agnew shop at 301 Market St.

Also, both of the Miller's stores have locations in downtown Lexington. The Millers live in Rockbridge County.

Click here to read my former blog post about the history of the Agnew building.

This last weekend seemed to be the perfect two days to enjoy the outdoors. Up and down my street, many people spent time outside, grilling out and enjoying their yards and the nice weather.

According to Ace Hardware, a supposed rise in staycations is showing up in sales.  Staycations are considered economical alternatives to vacations, because consumers choose to spend time at home, rather than spend money traveling.

Ace Hardware reports that national sales of its outdoor living products and decor have doubled from last year, an indication that people are investing in their home environments.

The popular items this year are fountains, statues, lawn lighting equipment and outdoor furniture, says this hardware retailer with several locations in the Roanoke Valley.

Is this true for you?

I just learned that a national pet retail chain is headed for Towers Shopping Center in Roanoke. PETCO, a pet supply retailer, has signed a lease for a 12,065 square-foot space beside Kroger on Towers lower level. That's according to Rappaport Cos., a McLean, Va., company that manages Towers.

The San Diego-based PETCO carries pet supplies and offers some services, from dog grooming to vaccinations. Also, these stores typically sell small animals, including hamsters and fish.

All dogs, cats and rabbits are available for adoption only. Lisa Epstein, a spokeswoman for PETCO, told me that it's too early to know if the Roanoke PETCO will have a permanent pet adoption area, which is available at some of the chain's stores.

If you're shopped at a PETCO, let me know how it compares to other pet store chains that we have in the Roanoke Valley, such as PetSmart and Petland.

Also at Towers, you may have noticed some construction work going on at the back end of the former ABC store on the center's lower level.

Apparently, crews are demolishing a small section of this space to improve access to Kroger's loading dock, which is accessible through a tunnel behind the grocery store, according to Rappaport.

Thanks to a tip from blog reader, Dennis, the mystery of what's coming to the former Fast Freddy's restaurant site in Salem appears to have been solved.

"Coming Soon, Rancho Viejo Mex Grill" has been added to the tall sign at this former restaurant location at the corner of West Main and Fourth streets.

This building has been for lease. Fast Freddy's closed there last year. Check out my blog post from last week for those details.

I don't know if this restaurant is owned by the same person who has four Rancho Viejo Mexican Grill & Cantina restaurants in the Roanoke Valley. I tried to contact the owner of these eateries today, but I couldn't reach him.  

I'll let you know when I find out more details about this Mexican restaurant's new Salem location.

Is Pizza Hut having an identity crisis? The large pizza chain is going by "The Hut" in some of its marketing as it redefines itself as a restaurant that serves a mix of foods, from pasta to wings.

But pizza fans can rest assured. Pizza Hut isn't changing its name, according to this article in Advertising Age.

Still, expect to see some of the chain's eateries carrying signs for both "Pizza Hut" and "The Hut," along with a new logo.

Recently I found a permit for work to remodel space for a new beauty store at Valley View Mall in Roanoke.

The permit reveals that a store called Bella Beauty is making plans to open in a space on the mall's upper level, near Macy's home and children's shop. The space is labeled as UF 275, and you can find it on the mall map here.

Kendall Hurt, a Valley View spokeswoman, told me that she could not confirm Bella Beauty's opening plans. The building permit still is under review.

I don't know the details about Bella Beauty. Let me know if you've ever shopped at a Bella Beauty store.