The store's new look. Photo courtesy of JC Penney

Shoptimist Rebecca Holland has a column today about the changes at JC Penney.

Perhaps you’ve noticed the fresh, modern look the company has adopted for its Sunday newspaper ads. Or, if you’ve been to the store recently you’ve probably seen the racks labeled “Best Price” and “Everyday Price.” Maybe you’ve noticed that the store has reduced its prices in lieu of holding frequent sales.

Those are just a few of the changes the company’s new CEO, Ron Johnson, has implemented.

You can read more about the changes in Rebecca’s column, and comment on her blog about whether the approach will lure you into the store.

A shopper peruses dresses at Millie's. Roanoke Times file photo by Sam Dean

The trendy, girly clothing boutique Millie’s & Co.  in downtown Salem will close Tuesday.

The owners, mother and daughter Ann Wolfer and Sarah Wolfer-Ferguson, said running the store just became too much for them.

“Any small business takes a lot out of you, and you’re always worrying,” Wolfer-Ferguson said.

They contemplated selling the business, but decided they weren’t willing to stick it out until a buyer came along.

The pair bought the business more than six years ago. They frequently shopped at the store together and talked about how fun it would be have their own store. That opportunity came during a conversation with Millie’s former owner, who told Wolfer-Ferguson she was looking to sell.

The store is having a sale now, and much of the merchandise has already been sold, Wolfer-Ferguson said.

Photo courtesy of The Willard Companies

Connie Hall has returned to Westlake Towne Center with a new store, The Cabinet Gallery.

Those familiar with the Hardy shopping center might remember Hall’s former store, Kitchens by Connie, which she sold in 2004. The store later closed.

The new store is 2,200 square feet and features Custom Wood Products, Decora, Medallion, Schrock and Shiloh brands and offers consultation, design, remodeling, new construction and installation services, according to a news release.

Hall said she’s excited to be working with new and old customers.

“It’s not going to be quite as hard to get back into the business,” she said.

The showroom is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

A snowboarding and skate shop and a nutritional supplement store will open at Valley View Mall this spring.

Zumiez, a Seattle-based retailer that sells footwear, apparel and accessories for skaters and snowboarders, will open on the lower level near the entrance of JC Penney, according to a news release from the mall. The store was established in 1978 and has more then 400 stores.

Complete Nutrition will open on the upper level between Hollister and Hot Topic.

Have you heard of Zumiez? Do you know any teens who will be excited to shop there?

The owners of Play It Again Sports have sold the store’s building in front of Lowe’s on Franklin Road to Fleet Feet Sports.

Fleet Feet Sports bought the building for $1.3 million, according to a statement from Waldvogel, which represented the fitness footwear and apparel business in the sale.

Play It Again will vacate the building in late March and reopen in a larger space at Madison Square on Electric Road, next to Plato’s Closet, in April.  (Madison Square is also where Texas Steakhouse and Direct Buy were located before they closed.)

Fleet Feet Sports plans to move from its current location at Townside Festival Shopping Center to the new building in July, said Robin Lewis, who with her husband, Blaine Lewis, owns the business.

Look for more details on the move in Sunday’s Retail Roundup column.

f.y.e on Electric Road is closing. Photo by Amanda Codispoti

This post has been corrected to reflect that Carilion’s urgent care center is moving into the space between f.y.e. and JUMP!

Roger Jackson, an agent with Poe and Cronk Real Estate Group, said a retailer is moving into f.y.e.’s space. He would not disclose the name of the new retailer.

The f.y.e music and video store on Electric Road is closing to make room for a new retailer. a Carilion Clinic urgent care center.

Signs inside and outside the store declare 50 to 80 percent discounts on used and new CDs and DVDs. The store’s fixtures are also for sale.

The store manager referred questions about the closing to f.y.e.’s parent company, Trans World Entertainment. My calls there were not returned.

Roger Jackson, an agent for Poe and Cronk Real Estate Group, says that f.y.e.’s lease was ending and they couldn’t agree with the landlord on a new lease. He said a new retailer has plans to move into the space. He wouldn’t name the company.

The closing comes as My colleague, Sarah Bruyn Jones, reports that Carilion plans to turn the store’s space between f.y.e and JUMP! into an urgent care center.

According to a building permit filed in Roanoke County, Carilion will spend about $210,000 on tenant upgrades.

f.y.e.’s Valley View Mall store remains open.

Needle felted doll. Photo courtesy of Amanda Bishop

A blog reader who uses the screen name Malia asked last week about a new store in Vinton on N. Pollard Street called Wooly Belle.

I talked with Amanda Bishop, who with her mom Pam Bishop, opened the craft and arts store on Saturday.

The store sells wool for felting and their own work (hairbows, pillowcase dresses, and felted wool items like the doll pictured at left) and the work of other local artisans, including pottery.

The store will also host art/craft classes in stained glass, felting and more.

I’ll have more on the Bishops and their plans in this weekend’s Retail Roundup.

Photo from Facebook

It isn’t exactly new news that Target is planning a remodel at the Roanoke store, because that was reported in September, when the company filed a building permit with the city.

To refresh your memory, the store is planning on putting in nearly $1 million to renovate the Valley View Boulevard store’s food service area near the entrance and the fitting rooms; add more coolers and freezers to the grocery area; put down new flooring;  and refresh its decor.

I recently learned (thank you blog reader Doug Pirahna for the tip) that the Christiansburg store will also undergo renovations. That work, valued at$400,000, includes installing refrigeration cases and expanding the food aisle, according to town officials.

Reader Doug Pirahna described the work at the Christiansburg store as imminent said work has already begun with the removal of the snack bar. Doug reports that a sign posted in the store says a Starbucks will open there in March.

Roanoke Times reporter Amy Matzke-Fawcett adds that the dressing rooms are closed. Temporary dressing rooms have been opened in the back of the store, she said.

Target’s media relations department was vague about the work at both locations, including when it will start and finish. Here’s what they said in an email.

“We are planning to remodel select Target stores in the Roanoke and Lynchberg area with our expanded fresh food layout this year. At this time, I am unable to confirm specific stores or timing. Once we have information to share, I will be in touch.”

Roanoke Times reporter Jeff Sturgeon reports that the Harley-Davidson motorcycle shop on Roanoke Street in Christiansburg closed on Saturday.

Click here for the story.

Sears and Kmart stores in Southwest Virginia are not on a partial list of store closings that Sears Holding Corp. recently released.

The list names 79 of the 100 to 120 stores the company said it would close. Three of the 79 stores are in Virginia: a Sears in Norfolk, and Kmart stores in Midlothian and Richmond.

It’s unclear when the complete list will be posted.

On Wednesday many blog readers commented on this post that the area’s Kmart stores feel outdated and a few complained that it never seems like the stores have enough registers open. Others said they still shop there for the deals.  (We also reminisced about Hill’s).