Everyone likes an easy way to save money. So, go through your closets.
If you wear the color red while shopping at Macy’s tomorrow, you’ll receive 15 percent off of any apparel and accessory purchases all day. It’s part of the Go Red campaign for the American Heart Association.
Forget to sport red? Make a $2 donation to the American Heart Association at Macy’s accessories department, and you still can receive the discount.
If you’re considering a stay at the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, keep in mind that the hotel has begun the second phase of a complete makeover to its rooms and some common areas.
But the only change you may notice with this $6.5 million renovation is a heightened room rate on dates when demand is large.
Last year, the Hotel Roanoke began its first total guest room facelift to bring in modern designs, though some historic qualities fitting with its English Tudor look will remain.
In the first makeover phase of 150 rooms, which was complete in May, the hotel did everything from installing black granite countertops in bathrooms to bringing in flat screens televisions and beds with at least five pillows propped up against headboards.
In the second phase, the hotel is renovating 180 rooms, suites and corridors. About 75 rooms will be out of service at a time until April, when the makeover is complete.
The reduced availability of rooms could drive up room rates, if demand is strong for certain dates, according to Michael Quonce, who is public relations and advertising manager for the Hotel Roanoke.
But nightly rates at the hotel have increased this year, mostly in the line with the lodging market, he said. Rates range from $119 to $219.
Photo by Eric Brady, Roanoke Times photographer
Another retailer is clearing out of West Salem Plaza in Salem. Bacova Factory Outlet is closing its doors at the end of March, and it’s holding a 50 percent off clearance sale to get rid of its rugs, mats, bathroom accessories and other household items.
Bacova Guild, based in Low Moor, Va., produces rugs, printed floor mats and bathroom accessories, and mainly these items are sold on wholesale to retailers. The Salem store, which has been open for at least 10 years, sells Bacova’s discontinued, damaged or market sample items.
Store manager, Allison Morrison, said it was a company decision to close the store, and she does not know if it will relocate elsewhere. But she said the company has not indicated that Bacova will open another Roanoke Valley location.
The Salem store is its only location in the Roanoke Valley.
Despite rumors that Surf-N-Turf Grill on Grandin Road in Roanoke soon would close its doors, the eatery’s owner, Paul Gautier, said the seafood and steak restaurant will remain open.
In December, he closed Surf-N-Turf's Salem location. And Gautier said he was keeping his fingers crossed that last weekend’s business would bring in enough revenue for him to sustain the Roanoke eatery.
He said some leftover bills from the Salem Surf-N-Turf were piling up for him. He initially prepared some of his employees for the worse.
“We were at a time of weakness,” Gautier said.
But with some number crunching and budgeting, Gautier said he’s keeping the Roanoke eatery alive. He opened it in 2003.
Meanwhile, another local food business is shuttering one side of its business. Shopfoodex.com will no longer offer grocery delivery to Roanoke area homes, according to its founder and owner Greg Land.
Several of you have had a lot to say about what you think of the resusable bags now offered at more grocery stores. But grocers aren’t the only retailers selling these environmentally-friendly totes, which are being marketed as a better option than plastic bags.
Target has rolled out several sizes of red and reusable, polypropylene bags. This week, I noticed these bags, sold for 99 cents or $1.49, hanging on racks near one of the checkout lanes at the Roanoke Target store.
Let me know if you end up trying out these totes or other versions at local stores, such as Ukrop's, Kroger and Fresh Market.
I won’t be blogging on Monday, because I’ll be out of town. But feel free to post comments all weekend and send along retail tips. I'll be back to posting news on Tuesday.
Take care!
There’s increased pressure for restaurants to suit the morning crowd. Everyone seems to think that they’ll increase sales if they serve egg sandwiches, sausage and gourmet coffee.
As you probably have noticed, more fast food restaurants are getting into the breakfast business. Wendy’s and Subway are some of the newest to break into this market. McDonald’s also has its own baristas to serve lattes and coffee drinks, though it's long had a rather extensive menu of egg mcmuffin sandwiches, hashbrowns and more.
Even in the Roanoke Valley, there are a growing number of local eateries trying to make a dent in the breakfast business. The latest example is the upcoming arrival of Brambleton Blend, a new eatery that’s planned on Brambleton Avenue in Roanoke. Its owner, Rob Cantu said he plans to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, along with using his barista skills to serve up gourmet coffees and other hot beverages.
Still, other local chains claim to own the breakfast crowd. They include establishments, such as The Roanoker Restaurant and Famous Anthony’s. But these aren't considered fast food dining options.
Is breakfast-to-go a smart business? What are your favorite places to grab a quick morning meal on the run?
If you’re planning to splurge on a new television this year, now is a good time to buy one.
The Super Bowl is Feb. 3, and this popular football game routinely brings large demand for televisions and often, lower prices.
Consumers will purchase 3.9 million televisions for Super Bowl Sunday this year, up from 2.5 million last year, according to the National Retail Federation.
Electronics retailers, locally and nationally, typically see tv sales skyrocket during this time of the year. Consumers often are looking for high quality televisions to impress friends and family who gather to watch the Super Bowl.
Furniture sales also often rise before the game. Consumers are expected to buy 1.8 million pieces of furniture, up 1.3 million from last year, according to the NRF.
Some current retail promotions for televisions include a free massage chair with the purchase of certain tv sets priced at at least $999 at Best Buy. Also, Wal-Mart’s Web site has a page of “Game Time” television discounts, including a Phillips 32-inch LCD HDTV for $756.
Speaking of televisions, I noticed recently that a local Kroger was selling flat-screen tvs in its general merchandise department. I’ve never noticed televisions for sale at a grocery store. Have you? I wonder how many people would consider buying a tv while also shopping for groceries.
Several of you have inquired lately about a business that is rising on Brandon Avenue in Roanoke, near Towers Shopping Center.
This building soon will house a new Little Caesars restaurant. It's planned to open by late February or early March, according to franchise owner, Pat Flanigan. He owns 20 Little Caesars locations in Southwest Virginia.
The pizza chain’s location on Brandon Avenue will have a drive-through, a feature that Flanigan has been adding to more of his Little Caesars sites. A drive-through can double sales at a restaurant, he said. Five of Flanigan’s Little Caesars locations have drive-throughs.
Flanigan said he even is considering ways to move his restaurants out of strip centers and into free-standing buildings so that he can add drive-throughs to them.
“It’s the way society is today...convenience, convenience,” he said.
A Pizza Hut sits up the road from Little Caesars' Brandon Avenue site, but Flanigan said he's not worried about the competition. Both pizza restaurants have different concepts. Pizza Hut has sit-down and delivery business, while Little Caesars is strictly carry-out, he explained.
Look for another Little Caesars restaurant to open in Bedford on U.S. 460. On March 18, Flanigan said he’ll land this restaurant at a busy intersection, near Wal-Mart, Autozone and Applebee’s. It, of course, will have a drive-through.
What kinds of grocery bags do you prefer? I have a feeling we’ll see plastic bags gradually disappear from grocery checkout lines.
Whole Foods, a grocery chain based in Texas, says that it’s doing away with plastic bags because they’re not safe for the environment. Instead, they will offer free paper bags, reusable sacks for 99 cents or canvas bags, ranging from $6.99 to $35.
And if a customer brings their own bag, they’ll receive a 5 cent to 10 cent discount on their grocery bill.
Here’s the article for more information.
There are no Whole Foods locations in the Roanoke or New River valleys, but Ukrop’s Super Market, which has a Roanoke store, is making a similar push. Last week I blogged about how Ukrop’s is giving customers a 5-cent credit on their grocery bill if they use reusable bags in which to carry groceries. It’s another effort by grocers to encourage environmentally safe shopping.
What other local examples of this have you noticed?
Tomorrow is the last day that Matthew’s Hallmark at Towers Shopping Center in Roanoke will be open for business. The store is having a large sale to clear out inventory.
If you stop by, don’t be surprised if the stock is depleted since its sale has been going on for a few weeks.
Have a good weekend!
