2009.07.03
Second spot for La Finca
Late this month or in early August, a Roanoke Mexican restaurant is making a move.
The owner of La Finca in downtown Roanoke plans to open a second eatery on U.S. 460., in the former spot of the 460 West Restaurant and Lounge (Thanks to blog reader, Adowntownbusiness, for the tip!) That's at 3424 Orange Ave.
Jose Diaz, the owner of La Finca, told me that he wanted a larger restaurant location with better parking access. Oftentimes, restaurant patrons can't find nearby downtown parking for his eatery at 27 Campbell Ave. La Finca hosts Latin music bands and other entertainers on weekends.
Also, Diaz said it's hard to draw business from downtown crowds when the center of activity is in the city's farmers market area. La Finca is situated several blocks away.
"We still can't get the crowd," he told me.
For now, Diaz will keep the downtown La Finca open. He has considering selling his Campbell Avenue restaurant, but he hasn't been actively seeking buyers. He opened La Finca six years ago.
The new La Finca space on Orange Avenue is double the size of the downtown location. It measures 7,000 square feet, compared with the restaurant's 3,800 square feet site on Campbell Avenue.
Have a happy July 4th!
Probably makes sense to move the restaurant, as long as it's a good location for them. When they were the only full-service Mexican restaurant downtown, there was a certain amount of business almost guaranteed to them. But now Alejandro's competes directly with them, and has a better location just off the Market; I imagine that La Finca's business has to be suffering as a result.
However, the quality of the new location is an interesting question. I don't visit that part of town regularly, so I'm not sure what's over there. But Google Street View shows a brand new El Rodeo just down the street; is that still there? If it is, it seems like it would be just as much competition for a La Finca there as Alejandro's is in their current space.
I know their plan may be to draw people in with live acts & nightlife, but it would still seem like a better idea to locate somewhere where there's not already a Mexican place in the immediate neighborhood. A lot of people in this town just head to the nearest Mexican eatery, under the assumption that they're really all the same (which they were until a few years ago).
Comment by Mark — July 3, 2009 @ 10:10 am
"restaurant patrons can't find nearby downtown parking for his eatery at 27 Campbell Ave. La Finca hosts Latin music bands and other entertainers on weekends."
Really? I'd consider the two garages and two lots on the other side of the building 'nearby downtown parking'. Each Less than a block away. One of those garages is located in THE SAME BUILDING.
Oh wait...those are pay to park facilities...they don't count in Roanoke.
Comment by Rich — July 3, 2009 @ 10:59 am
hey jenny do you have any details on the new foodlion opening in daleville
Comment by Styree — July 3, 2009 @ 6:11 pm
OMG ENOUGH of the crappy mexican restaurants here already!
Comment by Chris — July 6, 2009 @ 11:51 am
Styree,
I don't know when this new Food Lion is planned to open, but I've called the company for an update and more details. I'll keep you posted.
Comment by Jenny Kincaid Boone — July 6, 2009 @ 5:31 pm
2 things - I've been to the El Rodeo on 460 twice and don't care to go back. I've never been impressed with El Rodeo's, my last choice in Mexican rests. I'll be happy to try LaFinca.
Also the Food Lion is slated to open July 29, my son starts stocking next week.
Comment by Becky — July 7, 2009 @ 9:45 am
Well it looks more like August 19 for the new Food Lion in Daleville.
Comment by Becky — July 7, 2009 @ 10:39 am
Becky,
Thanks for reporting on these dates for the new Food Lion in Daleville. Was the July 29 date moved back for some reason?
Comment by Jenny Kincaid Boone — July 7, 2009 @ 12:19 pm
It's too bad that the new store will be a Food Lion instead of a Bloom. Botetourt would be a good location for one. I'm not sure why Food Lion doesn't just convert all of their stores into either Bloom or Bottom Dollar since I think Wal-Mart has to be killing them.
Comment by KevinL — July 7, 2009 @ 12:30 pm
Jenny I am an Employee for the new foodlion and we are set to open on the 29th.
Comment by shirley — July 7, 2009 @ 4:40 pm