UPDATED: What’s on your mind?
Thanks to everyone who left questions and comments on this blog post. Feel free to keep them coming. Meanwhile, I’m already working on getting answers to some of your questions. Look for these answers to appear on the blog under posts titled “WOYM.”
I’m so appreciative to all the readers who call, email and comment on this blog with tips and questions about whether a business has closed, why there is construction at a particular location, or when a business is opening.
I am constantly talking with business owners, real estate agents, property owners and managers, bankers and officials in the region’s economic development offices and planning and building offices to stay on top of the region’s retail news. I also try to get out of the office to look for changes to our retail landscape.
But it’s impossible to know about everything going on in the region, and your questions and tips often lead to stories, blog posts or news that makes it into the Retail Roundup column.
A great example is last week’s Steak ‘n Shake blog post. Several readers asked why construction hadn’t started, and I was able to get an answer which I posted on the blog. And just yesterday a tip from a reader led me to call the owner of the Market Square North shopping center, at the intersection of Peters Creek and Williamson roads in north Roanoke County. The owner told me that the Double Dragon restaurant space has been for lease since April 1. (He wouldn’t say why or when the restaurant closed).
What else have you been wondering about? Could it be an update to a project you’ve read about here in the past, or maybe it’s something you drive by every day on your way to work?
I can’t promise to look into every question or tip, but I’ll do my best.
April 10, 2012 - 8:47 AM
I may have posted this elsewhere but can’t find the comment. I heard a rumor that Hummus House is being asked to vacate their space due to the new building owners. I was told that they were given a month to find a new location. Any truth to that?
Any updates on the Mirko going in at Towers?
Do you have any idea what is going on in the old FYE space on Electric near Tanglewood?
You may have answered this, but what is happening at Tower’s in the old Heartland bakery?
Are they building Cracker Barrel on Slate Hill?
I’d like a progress report on the status of “Turner Place”, the “Las Vegas-style dining facility” at Virginia Tech that The Times reported about on 2/8/2011. That report said it was slated to open in Fall 2012. I haven’t been to that part of campus since football season, but I’d love to see a Qdoba & Jamba Juice in the area…
MS, here’s my reply to your question that I posted last week. I can check back with the owner of the Hummus House to see if anything has changed:
There is a sale pending for the Crystal Tower building, at the corner of Campbell Avenue and Second Street. If the sale goes through, I’m not sure what will happen to the ground floor tenants – and neither do they. I talked this afternoon with the owner of the Hummus House, who said he’s looking for other locations downtown just in case he’s forced out. But, he said, he hasn’t heard what will happen if the sale closes. Mr. Bill’s (the barber shop) is also located in the Crystal Tower building.
I would LOVE to know if there is a specialty bra shop in the area. I have been looking and asking around since I moved here a few years ago, and have had no luck.
I’m wondering what is planned for the Twist and Turns space at Valley View. I read your article that said they have a tennant but would not reveal the name because of the lease not being signed. Since that is a corner location, I was thinking it would be a great spot for a second Chipotle! I just want one of those closer to my house!
Previously you posted that Bastion’s BBQ was reopening. Has this happened? And, where? We’ve been by their Salem location several times including recently and it never looks open. No lights, no cars, etc.
Hey Amanda – I emailed previously about the site at the corner of Peters Creek & Shenandoah where the apartments were torn down last year. At one point there were permit boxes posted (assumed for demolition work?), but now it’s nothing more than a grassy field. Are there plans for development? Or any other reason it now looks more like a landfill with grass everywhere? Any insight?
Re: above
Typically whatever rental agreement that is in place at the time of a buildings sale, continues on with the new owner, until such time as the lease is up for renewal.
The Dollar store on Riverland is being built with incredible haste. The roof is up, walls in place. Wow, they’re quick!
River & Rail Restaurant (Southern Style Bistro) is currently slated for a late May, early June opening.
@David, Another reader pointed me to their Facebook page, which said a month or so ago that they’d open in June. I’ve tried to to get in touch with the owners through the leasing agent for Towers, and the leasing agent tells me that the owners don’t want to talk just yet.
Wow! Thanks for all your questions. I’ll do my best to get to all of them. Many will require phone calls so it might take a few days to respond. Keep them coming!
I have heard that Plow & Hearth was slated for the Twist and Turns space and I am now hearing that Costco will be moving into the Ukrops Building on Franklin.
I probably should have defined what I meant by specialty… I’m looking for a place that sells a wide variety in many sizes, and really sells nothing but underthings. The sort of place that you laugh when you see the ad that says “in sizes up to 52L!”
what about the old Texas Steakhouse on 419? anything going in that spot?
All of the apts on Old Cave Spring have been vacated. What’s going on there?
Any updates on South Peak?
Not a question but an FYI for anyone interested. Chick-fil-a has posted to their website that the Salem store is opening on June 8th.
Amanda -
I sent an e-mail through the Mirko Pasta website re: opening date for Roanoke location. I got an answer indicating an early June opening.
Hope it remains on track.
Thanks again for all you do to track down such a variety of requests!
I’ve heard that the old FYE space is gong to be a new Urgent Care Medical clinic.
There is some kind of construction near the El Toreo at 581 & Peter’s Creek Road. . . any rumors?
@Wise, thanks!
Regarding the f.y.e. space – Carilion opened an urgent care clinic between the old f.y.e. space and Jump! A mattress store called Mattress Firm is opening in the old f.y.e space.
Why did Double Dragon in Market Square North off Williamson Road close ? Did it move somewhere else ? Are the people who ran it opening another place, if so, where, we enjoyed their restaurant. thanks
Amanda, I live in Radford and they have been working on a new apartments and retail space below right across from Radford University and was wondering if they had any tenants signed and coming in. They have one tenant a coffee shop but was wondering about all the other space. The developer is PriceWilliams
@the other Tony: What I know at this point is that the owner, Kenny Wei, terminated his business license with Roanoke County on March 31. Double Dragon had been in business since 1993, according to Roanoke County records. The restaurant space at Market Square North is for lease. The owner of the shopping center wouldn’t say why the restaurant closed. I’ve left a message with Kenny (at least I think it’s his phone number that I called). If I hear more I’ll post an update.
@seth: I’ll put this on my list of things to check. Thanks for the question!
I’ve heard that a Bacova outlet is going into the space next to Curves on Franklin Rd. I believe they sell mailboxes and rugs. I’m not sure what else.
When and where exactly is the new Bojangles near Kohl’s/Walmart going to open?
@Roa10: I’ll post more on this soon, but the latest I heard was that it would open by the end of the year just south of Outback Steakhouse. It will be accessible from Old Rocky Mount Road.
Has anyone heard anything regarding the reopening of Bastian’s BBQ in Salem?
@BH: I talked today with the owner, Chris Bastian. He plans to open within a week.
Just also wanted to voice my interest/concern as to why Double Dragon closed. Me and my partner have ate there a lot over the past 5 years and just found out today it was closed. They were exceptional with prices and quality of food. Even would bring us a plate of “Butter Chicken” when it wasn’t on the bar free of charge without even asking cause they knew it was one of our favorites. Have never had service always be that great at any other restaurants we have went to so really sad to see them go. I only hope they found a better opportunity and it wasn’t something forced on them due to income or anything cause they truly seemed like a family owned business. Thank you so much it’s great to have someone like you working to keep us updated.
Do you have any updates on the residential development of Colonial Green off Colonial Avenue and when they plan on building more houses on the property? Also, do you know how many of the houses/structures on the property are currently occupied?