www.roanoke.com

In the last few months, four retailers have moved out of downtown Roanoke or announced plans to do so. But at least one has stood the test of time. For 80 years, Frank L. Moose Jewelers has remained at its original location on First Street in downtown Roanoke.

This jewelry store and Davidson’s, a men’s clothing store on Jefferson Street, are some of the few long-time downtown retailers.

Through the years, retail has moved to mega enclosed malls and suburban strip centers. Downtowns across the country haven’t attracted the groups of shoppers, nor the retailers, that they once did. My grandmother, who lives in Augusta County, often talks of her shopping trips in downtown Staunton, where department stores once lined some streets. They've all moved to the mall.

More recently in downtown Roanoke, some retailers have complained about a lack of parking for customers. They’re also concerned that parking will be further squeezed if city officials turn more streets into two-way thoroughfares.

Retailers like Frank L. Moose are survivors. The store was founded in 1928 by Frank L. Moose himself. Moose is the grandfather of the current owner, Geoff Jennings, who got started in the business in 1972.

Next week, if you’re in the mood for celebrating, Frank L. Moose is having some 80th anniversary festivities. On Feb. 28, there will be food, door prizes and designer jewelry for sale.
And all in-stock merchandise is discounted this month.

I'm a fan of downtowns, because most seem to have their own personalities. I also like to stroll the streets and take in the sounds of people and commerce all around.

What are your thoughts on downtown shopping?

You’ve probably seen the construction rising on Electric Road in Southwest Roanoke County at Keagy Road, but it’s still a mystery about what kinds of retailers are going to show up at this future retail center called Keagy Village.

I’ve reported that Bonefish Grill, a chain restaurant, and Starbucks are supposed to open there. Kahn Development Co., the South Carolina company that owns the center, does not appear to have an anchor store slated for Keagy Village, though this center has been in the works since 2004. The company has said that it's seeking a grocery store tenant. But a Kahn spokesman has not returned my recent call for updates on this center.

Take a look at the company’s site plan for Keagy Village here. This will show you how Kahn plans to situate the retailers and how large the spaces would measure.

There are some interesting demographic figures that Kahn has compiled about this portion of Roanoke County here.

Greg Caldwell, a Roanoke area franchisee for Baja Bistro Fresh Mex Grille, told me yesterday that he’s in discussions with Kahn about opening an eatery at Keagy Village, but nothing is final. He said he also wants to open other Baja Fresh restaurants in the Roanoke Valley.

I've never eaten at a Baja Bistro restaurant. It has locations across a host of other states, including North Carolina and South Carolina.

Over the weekend, I filled out an online survey that was sent to me by one of the stores where I shop often. If I complete the survey, according to the retailer, I will receive a $15 gift certificate in the mail. So, I figured it was worth about 10 minutes to answer the questions.

The questionnaire had a list of inquiries about my experiences at various stores, mainly those that sell women’s clothing. I had to answer on a scale of 1 to 5 which kinds of store “experiences” were most important to me.

One question that I thought was interesting was whether or not I care that an employee wears the clothes sold at that store. I don’t usually think of that when I walk into a store to shop. A friend worked at a mall retailer one year and told me that she was required to either wear the clothes sold there or to wear apparel that reflected the same styles.

It’s not all that important to me that employees wear the clothes that are sold at that store. But if they wore something completely varied from the styles on display, I probably would take notice. I'm not sure if that would impact what I purchased or whether I shopped at that particular retailer.

What about you? How important is it that store employees model the retailer’s clothing and accessory offerings?

Happy Monday! On this sunny morning, let’s discuss take-out coffee etiquette.

This is an interesting article in the Chicago Tribune about how some restaurateurs have become irritated with customers who come in carrying coffee cups from other establishments.

I’m interested in what you think about this. Is it okay to walk into a restaurant carrying a take-out cup from another eatery? And do you know of any local restaurants that actually call out patrons who do this?

Also, while we’re on the subject of coffee, my retail column in yesterday’s Business section offered more details about the closing of Coda, a coffee and food shop in the Grandin Village. I also wrote about Bob and Mary Buckley’s plans to open another Java the Hutt coffee drive-through on Orange Avenue this spring. The Buckley’s own Coda and other local Java the Hutts.

Since last week, we’ve discussed Valentine’s Day spending and chocolate. Many of you mentioned a local chocolate shop, Chocolatepaper, as your favorite place for unique candy finds.

But you might want to check the expiration date on any box of chocolates that you plan to give to your sweetie tonight. There have been reports of stale chocolate on some retailer’s shelves in New York. Apparently these stores were recycling boxes of chocolates from last year. Here’s an article about it with the gross details.

Tell me what Valentine gift choices that you have made--if you’ve already made your purchase. You might be among the many who will make a mad dash for the grocery store tonight to snag a last minute gift for your sweetie.

Don't worry, I don’t expect you to divulge large detail about your Valentine's gift in case the recipient happens to read this blog!

I received word this week that Gander Mountain, a big box outdoors retailer, will open on May 2 in Roanoke County, off Interstate 81 near Hollins. This store will be large, measuring 65,000 square feet. I’m sure you’ve noticed the construction going on at this site if you’ve driven by this section of the interstate.

Gander Mountain stores house an assortment of hunting, fishing, camping, outdoor clothing and footwear, and other related merchandise. This Minnesota based retailer’s new location also will have an archery lane and archery shop and an on-site gunsmith.

I’ve also reported that two other outdoors stores, Camping World and Tractor Supply, will go up near Gander Mountain.

Gander Mountain’s arrival comes on the heels of Sportsman’s Warehouse’s Roanoke debut in November.

Tell me what you think of Gander Mountain if you've shopped there before.

Look for the new Save-A-Lot on Melrose Avenue in Roanoke to open Thursday, which is day later than it expected. The new grocer was supposed to open today, but it was without power earlier this week because of the windstorm that hit the area. The store had to postpone a delivery of produce and meat and pack its frozen foods in dry ice.

If you stop by the store in the next few days, let me know what you think of it.

Several of you have had a lot to say about www.myretailroanoke.com, a Web site created by Roanoke City last year that encourages feedback on the stores and restaurants you’d like to see come to the area. Thanks for sharing with us your retail wish list.

Most of your choices are the ones that currently rank in the top votes on the Web site. Kohl’s still has the most votes, edging IKEA, which is in second, and the Cheesecake Factory in third.

Here's what some of you said:
Jeff wrote: “I would love to see Kohl's, Cheesecake Factory, Banana Republic, Costco, and a Super Target.”

Grant added: “Ditto Jeff... those stores would catapult Roanoke's retail scene into the legitimate shopping hub for this entire area. I think all of those stores would do very well here too and, as larger metropolitan areas face an economic downturn, the stores should consider Roanoke a prime region for expansion.”

Amanda added a few others to the list. She wrote:
“My out of town faves are: J Jill, Chili's, Macaroni Grill, Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel, Trader Joe's, Banana Republic and J Crew. I am probably asking for too much, but I will happy as a clam for just a J Jill.”

Also, I received some interesting information yesterday from Joseph Roth, a spokesman for IKEA. He said the Swedish furniture and home accessories retailer seeks out sites that have a population of 2 million living in a 40 to 60 mile radius of a store. He added that the Roanoke Valley does not met this critera, and that’s one reason that IKEA is not planning to open a location here.

He did point out that IKEA still plans to open a manufacturing facility in Danville this year, as The Roanoke Times reported in 2006. But that plant will not be a retail location.

Photo courtesy of IKEA

Speaking of downtown Roanoke, an eatery on Market Street has closed after only six months in business.

Dean Kapsalakis, owner of Healthy Treats Bakery & Café, said he closed the restaurant last week because of an unreliable employee. Apparently, one of his employees did not show up to work several times.

Kapsalakis said if he could not rely on employees to run the eatery, he would end up working 60 or 70 hours a week.

“I didn’t have the motive,” he said.

For now, he’s trying to sublease the space. The café served turkey hot dogs, quiche, pizza and desserts.

I know it's a little cold outside to be thinking about ice cream, but to prepare you for spring and summer’s warm days, a new option for this chilly treat is planned for downtown Roanoke.

Thomas Gardner opened Orange Dog, a hot dog and food shop on Campbell Avenue last month. And by March 1, he’s planning to serve hand-dipped ice cream from a space beside Orange Dog.

Gardner will offer 16 flavors of ice cream and some other desserts, including milkshakes and hot fudge sundaes. Orange Dog currently serves eight flavors of ice cream, but its expanded flavors will include chocolate, vanilla, butter pecan and pistachio.

Gardner would not disclose the specific brand of ice cream that he's serving. He said the closest area where people can find it is Charlotte, N.C. But don't expect healthful treats. This ice cream has a "high butter fat content," he said.

Orange Dog take-out orders also will be served in the new space.

Gardner also owns Orange Dog at Towers Shopping Center.