Sunday, January 21, 2007
ShopFoodEx.com lowers its grocery delivery price
Jenny Kincaid Boone
Jenny reports on the latest news on the Roanoke Valley retail industry.
Recent stories
Ordering groceries online just got cheaper.
Roanoke-based Internet business, ShopFoodEx.com, has lowered its grocery delivery price to $5 from $9.95.
It also has made a few changes as it enters its fourth year in business. Its Web site has been redesigned to include features such as a way to reorder a past grocery order. There's also a weekly specials section. And a new server allows for quicker shopping, said president Greg Land of Roanoke.
Land added that his company finally has reached the point where its price structure is equal with grocers. Its goal is to keep prices for goods equal to or within 5 to 10 percent of Roanoke Valley grocery stores, he said.
ShopFoodEx was started in 2003, and it offers home delivery in Roanoke and ships nonperishable groceries throughout the United States.
Star City Developers
A 13,000-square-foot retail center and a new residential development are in the works in North Roanoke County.
Star City Developers of Roanoke is planning to build a commercial center on 3 acres of land beside Food Lion on Hollins Road, near the intersection of Plantation and Hershberger Roads.
And behind the retail center, the developer wants to break ground this month on a 60-home neighborhood with residences that would have double front porches, attached garages and brick columns. It will be called Charleston Estates, and the homes there will be modeled after those built in the 1920s, said Chad McGhee, who is one of the principal owners of Star City Developers. The prices for the houses will be $280,000 and more, he said.
His company also owns the Village at Tinker Creek, a residential development on Plantation Road. Already, there are 49 houses there. But the development is slated for more, such as townhouses and single-level homes, McGhee said. Those houses are prices at mid-$200,000 and more. The townhouses are $180,000 to $200,000.
Construction for the retail center likely will not start for another year, once more work is complete with the two residential areas, McGhee said.
Adobe Salad Works
Adobe Salad Works is a new restaurant that's opening inside downtown Roanoke's City Market Building. It will take over a 297-square-foot spot and serve soups, salads and sandwiches, according to a recent advertisement. The eatery's opening date is unknown.
Kirkland's
Kirkland's, a home decor shop at Valley View Mall, is closing this month. The store manager, Emily Stanton, did not disclose the reason that the retailer, located on the mall's lower level, would be closing. She also did not know if it would be relocating to a new spot in the Roanoke Valley. All merchandise in the store is discounted.
Dolce
A nightspot and eatery in downtown Roanoke has closed. Dolce at 16 W. Campbell Ave., recently shut its doors. The reason for its closing is unknown.
Applebee's
A new Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar is set to open on Monday at 4510 Challenger Ave. in North Roanoke County, near Lowe's Home Improvement Store and Wal-Mart in the Bonsack area.
The Nutrition Resource
The Nutrition Resource, a privately owned nutrition consulting business, has moved to 1910 Electric Road in Roanoke, from its previous location on Pleasant Hill Drive.
