2011.11.21
Retail Roundup: AmRhein’s celebrates 90 years of business, Shoppes at West Village growing
This old photo shows Russell Amrhein displaying jewelry at the store on West Main Street in Salem. Photo courtesy of AmRhein's
What began as a jewelry store in downtown Roanoke 1921 has grown into a family business with two jewelry stores, a bridal and formal store and a winery.
AmRhein’s celebrates its 90th anniversary this month. The founder’s grandson, Russ Amrhein, operates the Bent Mountain winery, while Russ’ son, Chad, is head of the retail division.
The store is marking its anniversary with a new website, a new logo, a new tagline (“Memories Begin Here”) a new facade and signage at one store, new jewelry lines and new packaging.
Read more about the history of the family business in Sunday’s Retail Roundup column.
Also in the column: The Shoppes at West Village is growing. Not only did the outdoor shopping center add three new stores this year (Chocolate Paper, Polished by Claire V., and soon, Oliveto, and olive oil and vinegar store), but owner Lew Jamison said he has plans to build two addition buildings to house retail, service establishments and offices.
Equipment is clearing the land now to make way for the buildings. Jamison said construction on those buildings would begin when the existing storefronts were 70 percent occupied. He wouldn’t give the current occupancy rate, but said the shopping center is close to the 70 percent mark.
