March 31, 2008Realities of retail reportingHappy rainy Monday to you. You may have read a story that I wrote last week about the possibility of a retail development coming to an area along I-581 and Hershberger Road, near Valley View Mall. A Wisconsin developer, Continental Properties, apparently has been contacting residents in a small community off Ordway Drive, related to its desire to land new retail in this area. Continental is known for building retail centers that carry Kohl’s and Costco. I called Costco related to this story, and a spokesperson returned my call on Friday, after the story was published. A spokesperson for this discount warehouse retailer said the company would not discuss future plans for new stores. Kohl’s said the same thing, and I reported that in the story. As the world of retail reporting continues to unfold for me, I’ve learned not to expect national retailers to say much, if anything, about their future plans for new sites. They’re really not obligated to divulge details if a lease isn’t signed, and many are afraid to give away secrets to the media for fear that a deal could fall apart. But if you read between the lines, these retailers often do not say whether or not they are considering an area. They just state in a typical corporate speak that a certain area is not in their immediate store opening plan. So, I mention all of this to say that Kohl’s and Costco could very well already be scouting the Roanoke area for potential stores. But likely we won’t find out that news directly from them. March 28, 2008To tip or not to tipTipping has been in the news lately related to a situation where a California judge ordered Starbucks to pay its baristas $100 million in tips and interest because it allowed shift supervisors to share tips with baristas. Apparently, supervisors are considered managers and aren’t supposed to get a share of the tip pool. Starbucks has said it will appeal the ruling. I’m not planning to debate what this case means, though it has created a windstorm at Starbucks’ company owned locations across the country. Baristas in some other states also have filed suits against the coffee retail giant. But I bring this up to discuss tipping. Probably like many of you, I’ve debated how much I should tip baristas for coffee-shop related orders. There’s a tip jar sitting on the counters of many local coffee shops, such as Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea. I know there isn’t a hard and fast rule about this, but I wondered your thoughts on how much you tip at a place that is not your typical sit-down restaurant. Also, what do you think of the idea of pooling tips? At times, I’d like to only tip the person who personally makes my drink. At some local places, a barista might recognize me and make the drink that I often request before I actually order it. That's service!
March 27, 2008Retailers use Earth Day to push changeIf you think you’re seeing an unusually high number of pushes to be more environmentally friendly lately, you’ll begin to see even more by Earth Day next month (April 22). It seems like this is the magic day or timeframe that many retailers, namely grocers, are rolling out different environmental initiatives. Whole Foods Markets is one of them. This natural and organic foods grocer already has announced its plans to do away with all plastic bags by Earth Day. There’s not a Whole Foods in Southwestern Virginia, but I’m sure that some of you have shopped at this grocer in other cities. The Richmond-based Ukrop’s Super Market, which has a Roanoke store, has a few environmental changes up its sleeve next month. It plans to offer ten $1,000 Ukrop's gift cards between March 31 and April 26. You can enter a drawing to win one of these cards by carrying the grocer's mesh bags or reusing a paper bag, along with using its valued customer card. Another way to have a chance to win a gift card (which we all could use nowadays with the cost of so many foods rising) is to buy marketed “green” products at Ukrop’s stores. Some examples of the chain’s eco-friendly eats include all-natural spring water, Full Circle-branded products and all natural meat and bakery items. And to all of you who have commented that you keep forgetting to bring your reusable grocery bags into the store with you, Ukrop’s is planning to post a sign on the front door of its stores. It will remind customers to get their reusable bags out of their cars before they shop, said Bobby Ukrop, president and chief executive officer of the chain, this week. You still may not want to go all of the way back to your car once you’ve reached the store’s front doors, but at least it’s a reminder before you begin shopping. Let me know if you hear of other Earth Day initiatives. March 26, 2008How will you spend your tax rebate check?Federal tax rebates have been springing to many people's minds, because the checks are coming soon. The payments, that could range from $600 to $1,200 or more, under the economic stimulus plan are supposed to be rolled out in May. Some states have considered creating a sales tax holiday to coincide with these rebates. Read more about it here. Tax holidays are periods when certain purchases are tax-free. Virginia is not one of these states, according to the state's department of taxation. But there is a spring sales tax holiday for hurricane preparedness that's set for May 25 to 31. It will include portable generators priced at $1,000 or less and other items that apply that cost $60 or less. Of course retailers can choose to absorb the sales tax on any merchandise during this period. Here’s more detail about the holiday. Back to the stimulus, I’m curious about how you plan to spend your federal tax rebate check. Have any ideas so far? A survey by the National Retail Federation says that people will spend 40 percent of their checks. And of the $105.7 billion distributed through the tax rebates, at least $30 billion will be used to pay down debt, according to the survey. March 25, 2008Downtown grocer will resemble small supermarketI’ve been away from blogging for the last several days, because I have been sick with the flu. Finally, I have recovered. Here’s an update on a new grocery space in downtown Roanoke that I mentioned last week. Jay Aneja, who is owner of 7 to 7 Grocery, said this new store slated for Campbell Avenue, will stock supermarket items, though it won’t be a full grocer like Kroger or Food Lion. Aneja plans to sell dry grocery items and some produce, such as fruits, onions, tomatoes and other vegetables in season. The shop also will sell some convenience store fare, including hot dogs, fried chicken, onion rings and hot drinks. The growing number of people residing in apartments and condominiums in downtown Roanoke prompted Aneja to create the small grocer, which will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day. The new store is located beside The Hancock, a building that is being refurbished to house apartments. Aneja already owns and operates a neighboring convenience store on Campbell Avenue, called G&G shop. Before this shop sold convenience store items, it primarily carried jewelry and watches. Aneja plans to return to selling this kind of merchandise once 7 to 7 Grocery opens later this month or in early April. March 19, 2008Grocer for downtown?A growing number of downtown Roanoke dwellers lament the lack of options for places to buy groceries in their immediate neighborhood, other than fruits, vegetables and some baked goods at the city farmers market. 
A glance through the shop's windows reveals food shelves that are in the midst of being set up. I'm not sure yet whether this store will become a full grocer or a small convenience retailer with select grocery products. March 18, 2008Easter spending and Wal-Mart's commercialThis year’s early Easter may have impacted what many consumers spent on St. Patrick’s Day supplies. With the annual green holiday falling on Monday and Easter coming up this Sunday, retailers likely haven’t had enough shelf space to fully market products for both celebrations, reports the National Retail Federation. For that reason, the federation predicted that St. Patrick’s Day sales would be lower this year, at an estimated $3.64 billion, compared with $3.76 billion last year. Still, Easter spending is predicted to be about the same as last year. The average person will spend about $135.03, which practically is flat compared with last year’s $135.07 in Easter expenditures, the NRF reports. Consumers plan to spend more on Easter meals and related foods than on candy and stuffed bunnies, according to the survey. Speaking of Easter spending, what do you think of a recent Wal-Mart commercial where a mother talks about filling her children’s Easter baskets with candy from the discount retail giant? On a Wal-Mart blog , some mothers are blasting the retailer, claiming that the commercial has caused their children to question the Easter Bunny's existence. March 17, 2008Claire V. handbags headed for airportUPDATE: Laura Bradford Godfrey will appear at the Roanoke Regional Airport today earlier than previously announced. She'll now be there from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. to show off her Claire V. handbags, which are the newest additions to the airport's Hudson News shop. It’s official. A Roanoke handbag company’s creations are landing at Roanoke Regional Airport. 
Tomorrow the handbags will debut at Roanoke’s Hudson News shop. Godfrey will be there from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. to kick off the sale. There also will be some giveaways, so it's a good chance to snag for free one of Claire V.’s trendy purses or larger bags. In case you don’t know about Claire V., the company designs silk handbags, and last year it launched a line of baby clothing. Its items are handcrafted by land mine victims in Cambodia and those who are handicapped or living in rural provinces. Claire V. donates 10 percent of the proceeds from its sales to education and health initiatives for women and children in Southeast Asia. Its bags have received national recognition with appearances on ABC’s Desperate Housewives and in some publications, such as Lucky Magazine and InStyle Magazine. March 14, 2008Sweet news for Dunkin Donuts fans
Check out tomorrow’s Business section for more details. Photo courtesy of Dunkin Donuts. Domestications refines its Roanoke identity
Domestications/The Company Store, which opened on the shopping center’s upper level in 2006, is selling off much of its Company Store merchandise to focus on its Domestications line. Domestications sells bed and bath supplies and home accessories, under HanoverDirect, a catalog retailer based in New Jersey. You may recognize other catalog and Internet retail concepts under HanoverDirect, including The Company Store and Silhouettes. The change is happening in Roanoke, because The Company Store has two retail locations in Wisconsin. There was a need to focus on Domestications locally, said Pete Bather, who is vice president of marketing for The Company Store and Domestications. “From a branding standpoint, it’s a clear message to Roanoke that they know what the store is for,” he said. The Company Store's selection of bath, bedding and home products is similar to Domestications' offerings. The Roanoke store is the only Domestications retail location in the country. It landed here because Roanoke houses a distribution center for HanoverDirect. Now is a good time to head to this store if you're looking for quilts, down comforters and other bedding selections. All Company Store merchandise, which takes up the right side of the store, is 75 percent off. March 13, 2008Bojangles' updatesSome of you have inquired about updates on the progress of two Roanoke area Bojangles’ restaurants, after I blogged about a new Bojangles’ opening at Smith Mountain Lake. I caught up with with the franchise owner of two planned local Bojangles', who said that these restaurants still are in the works. 
Also, Seymour expects another Bojangles’ in Southwest Roanoke County, slated for an area at Colonial and Brambleton avenues, to open by August. He has been busy finalizing structural plans at the site with VDOT. This restaurant will be about 3,900 square feet. But Bojangles’ won’t take up this entire two acre property. Seymour said he plans to have room at this site for another business, such as a bank. Right now, though, he's focusing on getting Bojangles’ up and running.
March 12, 2008Movie Gallery shuttering Salem storeWe’ve recently discussed local $1 DVD rental kiosks, but the future isn’t looking so bright for some movie rental retailers. After filing for bankruptcy in October, Movie Gallery announced last month that it will close 400 underperforming movie rental stores, in addition to a host of stores that is closed last year, under Movie Gallery and Hollywood Video names. Locally the move will impact one store. That’s Movie Gallery in Salem at Spartan Square. It will close on March 19. Movie Gallery said in a news release that these stores were unprofitable. But the number of Movie Gallery stores remaining in the Roanoke Valley and surrounding area is slim. In recent years, many have closed. There remains one in Troutville and another in Christiansburg. Some local Hollywood Video stores are still in operation locally, including one at Towers Shopping Center in Roanoke and one on Brambleton Avenue in Roanoke County. Chains like Movie Gallery, which bought Hollywood Video in 2005, have experienced increased competition from online movie rental enterprises, such as Netflix and Blockbuster, according to industry experts. Blockbuster has begun offering online rental services in addition to its brick and mortar stores. I often go to a local rental store for movies. I haven't gotten into the Netflix craze. March 11, 2008No more puppiesI’ve been battling a sinus infection for the last few days, but I’m back to blogging today with a little bit of news. Puppies haven’t been moving off the shelves, or out of their cages, fast enough for a local store that sells pets and supplies. Nature’s Emporium in Roanoke County is getting out of the puppy business. It sold its last puppy two weeks ago. “Puppy sales were slow,” said store manager Summer Sowers. The store mostly sold small breed dogs. Its departure from the puppy business doesn't mean that it will stop carrying other animals. It still has a selection of birds, reptiles, guinea pigs and rabbits. And kittens could be on the way, depending on what some local breeders offer for sale, Sowers said. In the meantime, the store on Brambleton Avenue is trying to decide what it will do with the vacant space, to the side of the store, where the puppy cages were located. March 7, 2008New health club planned for TowersA new health club is coming to the Roanoke Valley. Planet Fitness will open on the lower level of Towers Shopping Center in Roanoke. It’s taking the former space of Hancock Fabrics, according to Bill Asbell, who is a franchise owner for the Roanoke club. Hancock Fabrics closed last year after the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Asbell said he expects the club to open by late June. Planet Fitness, which started in New Hampshire, has at least 250 franchises nationwide, including two in Virginia, in Virginia Beach and Falls Church. News of its opening comes on the heels of a second Gold’s Gym planned for the Roanoke Valley. Gold's set up a temporary location at Crossroads Mall last year, and it's expected to open this year at this shopping and office complex on Hershberger Road in Roanoke. Stay tuned to this blog or my Sunday retail column for more details about Planet Fitness’ new Roanoke location. March 6, 2008New breakfast sandwiches at Panera BreadIt looks like another chain wants to expand its presence in the breakfast market. Panera Bread is rolling out a line-up of breakfast sandwiches at its restaurants, and its Roanoke Valley locations already are selling them. The nationwide launch is scheduled for April, according to the company. This bakery and food company is joining an increasing number of fast food eateries, such as Wendy’s and McDonalds, and other restaurants that have added gourmet coffee and morning-related food choices to draw on a growing business for breakfast. At Panera Bread, there are three different kinds of grilled breakfast sandwiches, including egg and cheese, sausage egg and cheese, and bacon, egg and cheese. Prices range from $3 to $4, depending on the location, said Andrew Carlson, a spokesman for the St. Louis-based chain. Panera Bread already sells bagels, pastries and egg soufflés, along with coffee and other hot beverages. But it’s perhaps best known for its wide selection of sandwiches and soups for lunch and dinner. Carlson said breakfast isn’t a new business for the chain, but there has been more demand for increased morning offerings. “Hot breakfasts are something our guests have been interested in,” he said. “It’s a good natural extension of our brand.” Read on to learn about some upcoming baking demonstrations at the Panera Bread in Roanoke County. Continue reading "New breakfast sandwiches at Panera Bread" » March 5, 2008Find out which restaurants are smoke-free
It was compiled by a non profit group called the Greater Roanoke Valley Asthma and Air Quality Coalition. Each year, the group invites restaurants in Roanoke, Roanoke County, Vinton and Salem to contact them if they have decided to eliminate smoking. Mary Kane, who chairs the group, said the list isn’t comprehensive because it's hard to keep up with the ever changing number of restaurants that are becoming smoke-free. If you don’t see one here, there’s a spot on the page where you can add the restaurant's name. Some local businesses distribute brochures with this listing, including the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center. March 4, 2008Cheap movie rentalsIf you’ve tried the $1 DVD rental kiosks at some local stores, such as Kroger, keep in mind that Roanoke area Walgreens stores will have similar machines by next year. 
A spokesman for redbox said the Roanoke Valley’s stores will be part of this expansion. Local Walgreens are located on Williamson Road in Roanoke, at the corner of Brambleton Avenue and Virginia 419 in Roanoke County and on West Main Street in Salem. I’ve never rented movies from these kiosks, but the process sounds simple and inexpensive. Renting a movie at a local movie store can cost at least $4 if it's a new releease. Each redbox kiosk holds more than 500 DVDs, and new titles come out each Tuesday. The DVDs represent 100 to 150 of the newest movies releases. You use a touch screen to choose your DVDs, and you pay by swiping your credit and debit card. The charge is $1 per night, plus tax. If you keep the DVD for 25 nights, it is yours. To reserve movies ahead of time, go to www.redbox.com. You can pick up and drop off the DVD at any redbox location. March 3, 2008March opening slated for downtown eatery
Scott Lockhart and Debbie Spangler, who also own a catering company, plan to serve lunch and dinner entrees with a Southwestern twist. Expect their dinner menu to including various game meats, such as buffalo and venison. Prices will range from $22 to $28 for dinner entrees and $7 to $9 for lunch. They've also obtained an ABC license to serve alcohol. They'll mostly take reservations for dinner, though there will be some space for walk-in patrons.This new eatery also will be smoke-free, which is a growing trend among restaurants in the Roanoke Valley, and particularly in downtown Roanoke. 
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