Sunday, June 24, 2007
Towers looking for big retailer
Jenny Kincaid Boone
Jenny reports on the latest news on the Roanoke Valley retail industry.
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Towers Shopping Center has been a stable shopping hub for years in Roanoke since opening in 1961.
But as is true at many retail centers, stores come and go at Towers.
The Southwest Roanoke center has run into some noticeable vacancies on its lower level with the exit of some larger retailers in the last few years, including S&S Cafeteria and Hancock Fabrics.
Will Collins, director of leasing for the company that owns Towers, Rappaport Cos., said it's looking for a large retailer to fill at least 50,000 square feet on the center's lower level. Rappaport intends to join some of the vacant spaces to create one retail location and synergy.
Meanwhile, you'll see slight movement at Towers in August. Collins said the ABC store on its lower level will move to a space beside the Hallmark store, also on that level. ABC will take over a larger spot, which measures about 5,400 square feet, compared to its current location of 4,000 square feet.
There's no word yet on what retailer might fill ABC's space once it leaves.
Collins also said it is unclear whether Kroger will expand into a neighboring space that formerly housed CVS Pharmacy. Last year, CVS moved into a new building on Brandon Avenue, adjacent to Towers.
Little Caesars
Not far from Towers, it sounds like a new Little Caesars pizza restaurant still is planned to move into a spot on Brandon Avenue in Roanoke.
Last year, Pat Flanigan, who owns Little Caesars restaurants locally, announced that he was opening a location at a former Chevron site on Brandon Avenue.
But recently he said it's taking more time than he expected to obtain necessary work permits to prepare the location. The site sits in a flood zone.
A Little Caesars should go up there by September, once the current building is demolished, he said.
Stein Mart
For several days in August, shopping at Stein Mart in Roanoke County won't be possible. The department store will close its doors at Tanglewood Mall on Aug. 11 to shift merchandise and make other preparations at its new location on the west end of the mall, said Stein Mart department manager, Terrie Philpott.
It will reopen in its new space Aug. 16.
Mix One 6 Club
Here are a few more details about the Mix One 6 Club, a new bar and restaurant in downtown Roanoke that's planned to open in July or August. On the lunch menu will be salads, wraps and possibly a buffet, said Alan Dever, the general manager of the restaurant set for 16 W. Campbell Ave. Dinners will include pasta, steak, fish and a variety of specials.
But Dever, formerly a bartender at Awful Arthur's Seafood Co. at Towers Shopping Center, emphasized the mix of musical entertainment as the businesses' main vibe. Entertainment will include various bands, karaoke and hypnotists or comedians. Music could be jazz one night, country another day and hip hop the next, he said.
"We're going to try to cater to everybody," Dever said.
