October 6, 2008Counting caloriesWill you stop eating certain foods when the calorie information becomes public knowledge? You may have read stories last week about Yum Brands' plans to post calorie information about the foods served at its restaurants. They are Kentucky Fried Chicken, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, A&W All- American Food and Long John Silver’s. Also, Hardee’s recently introduced its little thickburger, which is an alternative to the high- calorie thickburger. At 1/4 pounds, the little version is smaller than the regular 1/3 pound thickburger. The little thickburger also is cheaper, starting at $1.99, though prices vary at different locations. Fast Freddy's fate still is unknownSeveral of you have asked about whether Fast Freddy’s, a Salem restaurant, plans to reopen. Today, the owner, Amelia Goldacker, said there still is not a concrete date set for reopening. Goldacker and her husband, Gary, own Fast Freddy’s and also Roanoke Bagel Co. They have closed Fast Freddy’s on West Main Street, because Amelia Goldacker’s mother moved in with the family, she said. The Goldackers still are working on whether it is “feasible” to reopen, Amelia Goldacker said. October 3, 2008Exercise at all hoursNot enough time for exercise? Try 24 hours. A national health club chain, Anytime Fitness, is planning a November or December opening at the Kroger Square at Bonsack in Roanoke County. I’ve reported about this fitness club’s local arrival, but I recently found out some more details about it. Dwight Ward, the former manager at Gold’s Gym in Southwest Roanoke County, is the franchise owner of Anytime Fitness. Ward, who has a private personal training business, said he wanted to run a smaller health club with a philosophy that is different from mega fitness centers. Anytime Fitness, set for a 4,200 square foot space, is an adult-only club. It houses cardio equipment, free weights and weight machines. The Bonsack gym also will have a tanning salon. And its doors never close, at least to members. Members receive a key to the facility, and there is video surveillance at all hours, Ward said. Also, the club offers panic buttons for members to wear. The press of a button rings the local police department. Pre-sales for memberships already have begun. Click here for more information about the Bonsack health club. I'll let you know when a specific opening date is announced. October 2, 2008Short-term furniture saleYou have until next Wednesday to shop at a temporary furniture store that has set up its wares in a retail space at the District at Valley View in Roanoke. Aaron’s Corporate Furnishings has filled up a storefront beside Natural Market by Nature’s Outlet, adjacent to Valley View Mall, with discounted living room, bedroom and dining room furnishings. Since Tuesday, the retailer has been selling furniture previously used in local short-term corporate apartments. So, it's likely that the tables, chairs and sofas aren't too worn out. Aaron’s Corporate Furnishings has one store in Roanoke. It’s a division of Aaron Rents, a national furniture rental chain. In other furniture news, it appears that Ashley Furniture is following through with its promise to deliver back-ordered furnishings to Roanoke area customers. The company's Roanoke store closed last month. Check out today’s story for more details. October 1, 2008Another way to cut fuel costs: Grocery shoppingToday Kroger launches a new fuel savings program that aims to lessen the burden of high gasoline prices. Basically by shopping at Kroger, you can accumulate fuel discounts in one month that can be used through the end of the following month. 
You can use up to 10 fuel saver reward discounts per fuel fill-up. And you do not only have to spend $100 on food to get the savings. It also applies to gift card purchases at Kroger. Kroger isn’t the only grocer with a fuel savings program. Other stores nationwide, including Ukrop’s Super Market’s Richmond stores, are offering discounts at partnering gas stations that correspond to the amount spent at the grocery store. Here’s a story about what other grocery chains are doing to promote shopping and gas savings across the country. There are seven Kroger fuel centers in the Roanoke and New River valleys. The grocer is planning a new gas station at Towers Shopping Center in Roanoke. But Carl York, a spokesman for Kroger, said he did not have updates on when this new center will open. |
.....Advertisement.....
|
...Advertisement...
...Advertisement...
