January 31, 2008Wear red and saveEveryone likes an easy way to save money. So, go through your closets. 
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. Hotel Roanoke rehabIf 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. 
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 January 30, 2008Bacova will close in MarchAnother 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. January 29, 2008One eatery stays, while a food delivery business shuttersDespite 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. 
Continue reading "One eatery stays, while a food delivery business shutters" » January 25, 2008Red and reusableSeveral 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!
Breaking into breakfastThere’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? January 24, 2008Super Bowl surgeIf you’re planning to splurge on a new television this year, now is a good time to buy one. 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. January 23, 2008Little Caesars on the waySeveral of you have inquired lately about a business that is rising on Brandon Avenue in Roanoke, near Towers Shopping Center. 
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. January 22, 2008Paper or plastic?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. Here’s the article for more information. 
What other local examples of this have you noticed? January 18, 2008Last day for HallmarkTomorrow 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! Auctioning off history
Betsy and John Williams are selling Victorian furnishings, display racks, plants and items from their neighboring gourmet cheese shop. Dec. 31 was their last day in business. If you want to preview any of the items before the auction, you can make an appointment by calling 342-3937. Previewing will be allowed up to two hours before the sale. The sold items must be removed by Jan. 27. A new buyer has purchased the former Billy’s Ritz location. A large sold sign is plastered on the restaurant’s windows. I’m still trying to confirm who the new buyer is, though there have been plenty of rumors. January 17, 2008Slacking sales for sledsWho bought a new sled today? Today's snow likely sent people heading for the area’s hills and slopes for some significant sleigh riding activity. This mild weather also is impacting the quantity of cold weather supplies, such as shovels and salt, that retailers decide to stock on shelves each winter. With less snow in various pockets of the country, “if there’s no need to ramp up the stock, than we don’t,” said Anibal Sepulveda, a spokesman for Home Depot, based in Atlanta. “I think basically there is a correlation between stock and weather conditions in this case.” Read my story in tomorrow’s Roanoke Times about how milder winter temperatures in the last several years are impacting sales of sleds and other snowy equipment. 
Mall updateGet your shopping done quickly. Tanglewood Mall just announced that it's also closing at 5 p.m. today because of the winter weather. Snow Day!Heading out to stores today could be a challenge. Of course, most of the grocery stores and service-related businesses are open, but call before heading out to a local mom-and-pop retailer. Many of those stores will close when the weather is bad. Valley View Mall just announced that it’s closing today at 5 p.m. I’ll let you know other mall updates as I hear them. January 16, 2008Reflecting on the holidaysThere’s a lot of looking back in the retail industry, so I thought I’d reflect on some sales numbers that came out Tuesday from the National Retail Federation and the Commerce Department. In the next month, you likely will see an increased number of sales and promotions at the nation’s retailers that are aimed at moving items off stores shelves quicker. It’s because holiday sales weren’t too bright in 2007. The NRF said sales in November and December rose less than the organization forecasted. It expected sales to jump 4 percent during the holiday, compared with the year earlier. But sales only rose 3 percent to a total of $469.9 billion. Economic pressures from a variety of sources, such as housing and high energy costs, are some reasons that consumers spent less, the NRF reported. December’s retail sales reported by the Commerce Department also were down, finishing off the weakest year for sales since 2002. Consumers cut back on spending by .4 percent in December, compared with November. If you were to wrap up the holiday spending season from your own perspective, what would you say about it? January 15, 2008Give away your jeansClean out your closets. Since it's the new year, many people are resolving to get more organized and to clear out what they no longer need. Here's an extra incentive. Teenage retail chain Aeropostale, along with Do Something, a non-profit organization, are asking people to donate used jeans to teens who are homeless. From Jan. 22 to Feb. 10, consumers can bring any brand of gently-worn pairs of jeans to Aeropostale locations. The jeans will be given to a local teen shelter or a charity that helps homeless youth. Aeropostale has a store at Valley View Mall in Roanoke. Aeropostale will give you something in return for your donation. It's a 20 percent discount on a new pair of jeans at the store. January 14, 2008Use your shopping bag again and againMore retailers are advertising that they care about the environment. Sure, a 5-cents credit doesn’t add up to large savings, but every little bit helps. Also, the reusable bags have been a hit. Ukrop’s has sold about 80,000 since September, when it started offering them, according to the grocery retailer. Green initiatives are taking center stage this week during the National Retail Federation’s annual convention in New York City. On the agenda are a number of retailers that are sharing the environmentally-sound practices that they incorporate. The retailers include Wal-Mart, L.L. Bean and Kohl’s. As a consumer, what do you think of these green initiatives? Does a retailer's environmentally-friendly focus draw you to shop there? January 11, 2008Lots of store closingsIt has been a busy day for retail news. The retailer cited competition with big box stores as a reason for its financial decline. A&N sells casual apparel and footwear primarily. Right now, all of its merchandise is discounted by 60 percent. It’s unclear when its stores will close. In the Roanoke Valley, A&N has locations on Towne Square Boulevard in Roanoke, Electric Road in Roanoke County and West Main Street in Salem. Its Christiansburg store is on Market Street Also, Matthew’s Hallmark is closing its store at Towers Shopping Center in Roanoke. Earlier this week, much of its merchandise was discounted by 75 percent. But the selection was disappearing fast, so head there quickly so you don't miss out on deals on leftover gifts, candles and some holiday items. The store is slated to close by the end of this month unless it sells out of merchandise sooner. Happy shopping and have a good weekend! Save-A-Lot will debut in FebruaryA new Save-A-Lot grocery store planned for Melrose Avenue in Roanoke will open its doors on Feb. 13. The grocery company, based in Missouri, just announced that Rett Ward, who also owns Tinnell’s Finer Foods in South Roanoke, will be the owner of the new Save-A-Lot. 
Compared with some of the new grocery stores to hit the Roanoke Valley in the last several years, Save-A-Lot will have a different selection and presence. The debut of Fresh Market in 2005 and Ukrop’s Super Market last June brought high-end, specialty grocery offerings, an in-store cafe and dressed up spaces serving free coffee. Save-A-Lot, on the other hand, is described as a no-frills concept with prices that are 40 percent less than traditional grocery stores, according to the company. There are 1,200 Save-A-Lot locations nationwide. January 10, 2008Specialty coffee planned on Brambleton
A local resident, Rob Cantu, said recently that he has been renovating the space. With the unveiling if the new sign, he’s likely preparing to open the business soon. January 9, 2008Budget menusIt seems like more chain restaurants are trying to appeal to consumers on a budget. Some local eateries are marketing foods at cheaper prices. They’re pointing out high prices for gasoline and encouraging people to keep eating out but to try certain value meals. 
Also, Country Cookin, a Roanoke County-based restaurant chain, is pushing the affordability of certain items on its menu that now are priced at $6.99. These entrees are marked with a blue oval logo, and they include liver and onions, flounder fillet and country fried steak. “So many people are struggling right now, with Christmas bills coming in, and gas prices the way they are,” said Angie Covington, marketing director for Country Cookin. “A lot of our signage space is reminding people that it is affordable to eat with us.” At what local eateries have you found quality deals lately? January 8, 2008Texting your pizza order
Text messaging is becoming a major way that people communicate, and retailers are tapping into it. Not too long ago, I wrote about how you can text Valley View Mall to find out what items are for sale at the mall’s stores. The article predicts that in five years, text ordering will be as common as online restaurant orders. Click here to learn how to text your order to Papa John's. Domino's owner cashes in on downtownThe owner of some Roanoke area Domino’s Pizza franchises has purchased a prominent downtown Roanoke site for $1.3 million. Tom Wallace bought the former Yellow Cab property, which is a 1.2 acre parcel at 25 Williamson Road, according to Poe & Cronk Real Estate Group, the commercial firm that handled the sale. This site is adjacent to the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center and not too far from the new Art Museum of Western Virginia, which is under construction. Likely most downtown real estate that is located near the art museum will be popular as we near the museum’s opening expected by the year’s end. Property values near the museum are expected to rise, Hubard said. January 7, 2008Retailers backing resolutionsRetailers want to make money on your New Year’s resolutions. Ads for everything from treadmills and exercise balls to storage units and bins are showing up in many places. A recent Target advertisement splashes the headline “Get Organized” among lines of blue and tan plastic storage containers. The words “long live resolutions” stretches across a Target insert that shows off exercise clothing and gear. It seems smart for stores to let customers know that they are backing their efforts to keep New Year’s resolutions. Other kinds of retailers are taking advantage of this time of year, including restaurants that are trying to draw attention, or creating, new healthy menu items. Are these kinds of advertisements sparking your attention? And how are you doing so far at keeping your resolutions? January 5, 2008Grocery delivery slowing for local companyBusiness has taken a different turn for a Roanoke-based Internet grocery delivery service. Since Land launched ShopFoodEx.com in 2003, he has been spreading the word about this online business that allows customers to create a grocery list online and pay to have the order delivered to their home. He shops at Kroger, Wal-Mart, Ukrop’s and some locally-owned grocery stores. But Land said he has not built a sufficient customer base loyal to deliveries. To focus on the company's increasing mail-order business, Land has cut back the days each week that his company delivers groceries. ShopFoodEx.com’s grocery delivery, which is offered for a $5 service fee, now is only available on Thursdays to homes that are located in certain zip codes throughout the Roanoke Valley. The minimum order is $75. Through mail-order deliveries, people order food items that they can’t find in a particular area. Land said he’s also getting referrals from manufacturers who search online for certain products and discover ShopFoodEx.com. Continue reading "Grocery delivery slowing for local company" » January 4, 2008Watch these retail centers in 2008In this first week of the new year, here’s a look at several local retail developments to keep your eye on in 2008. These Roanoke Valley sites could bring retail news this year, though I'm still trying to track down updates about many of them. 1) Kroger Square at Bonsack: This is the name for a new Kroger and adjoining retail center set for the corner of Valley Gateway Boulevard and U.S. 460 in Roanoke County. It will be the grocery chain’s largest Roanoke Valley store, at 84,000 square feet. Other stores are planned at this center, though they are unknown. 
3) Ivy Market: This is an area on Franklin Road in Roanoke that already houses Ukrop’s Super Market. A building permit for a neighboring Walgreens drug store was filed with Roanoke's building department this week. Walgreens is supposed to open by June 30, a requirement under a tax incentives agreement with the city and the developer, Bland Painter III. January 3, 2008Surf-N-Turf moves out of SalemIf you’ve driven down Main Street in Salem recently, you may have noticed that Surf-N-Turf Grill, a seafood and steak restaurant, has closed. The owner, Paul Gautier, shut its doors in mid-December. But the closing doesn’t mean that he’s also shuttering the other local Surf-N-Turf restaurant in Roanoke on Grandin Road. Gautier plans to keep that one going as long as he can. He said yesterday that he closed the Salem location because it was too difficult for him to run both eateries. Gautier lives in the Grandin Village area, and he said he struggled to find enough people to manage both of the restaurants adequately. Surf-N-Turf has been in Salem for three years. He’s had the Roanoke location since 2003. Gautier modeled the eateries after steak and seafood restaurants in North Carolina’s Outer Banks. He said maintaining the Grandin area location is “easier to control all of the variables.” Gautier said a pizza eatery is slated for the vacant Salem space at 14 E. Main St. I’ll let you know once I find out more about the restaurant that will land there. January 2, 2008Downtown art gallery selling outA host of art galleries have painted a block in downtown Roanoke in recent months, and with the advent of the city’s new art museum, the local arts movement appears to thriving. But in the midst of this activity, a long-time gallery on Campbell Avenue, Studios on the Square, has closed and its owners want to sell the three-story building, which houses 17 artists’ studios. The price tag is $1.2 million, and the structure’s future as a space for artists-in-residence is in question. Richard Kurshan, one of three owners of the building at W. 126 Campbell Ave., said he closed the retail portion of the studio on Dec. 31, because “sales are not supporting the business.” This first level of this space also houses a dining area for Zak’s Café, which expanded there last March. Still you'll still be able to buy some artwork at the gallery. The artists that work at Studios on the Square do not sell their work at the building’s gallery, but they offer it through their own spaces or at other gallery locations. Former Wertz's gift certificatesI received an email from a reader who was given a gift certificate to Wertz’s Restaurant & Wine Bar for Christmas. But Wertz’s closed on Dec. 22, and they weren’t sure what to do with the gift certificate. Here’s news for those of you who may be in the same predicament. New restaurant owners who plan to open another eatery at the former Wertz’s space on Market Street in downtown Roanoke said they will redeem all Wertz’s gift certificates. Debbie Spangler and her son, Scott Lockhart, expect to open Horizon Bar & Grill there by February. |
.....Advertisement.....
|
...Advertisement...
...Advertisement...
