Sunday, May 04, 2008
Airport updates its food choices
Jenny Kincaid Boone
Jenny reports on the latest news on the Roanoke Valley retail industry.
Recent stories
What may have been regarded as drab decor and unexciting food selection at the Roanoke Regional Airport's restaurant before the security checkpoint has been transformed with an updated look and new food choices.
The eatery's walls have been painted orange. The prepackaged sandwiches have been replaced with panini sandwiches and fresh-made salads.
Organic coffee varieties, with hazelnut, caramel and chocolate flavors, also are new additions as well as omelets for breakfast.
It's perhaps an attempt to draw travelers to a trendier style of dining in Roanoke.
Creative Host Services, the company that operates the restaurant and lounge, said in an e-mail that it wanted to create a "warm and inviting feel" by using soft colors. The recent changes are unique to its Roanoke location.
Creative Host, based in Lansdowne, has food retail locations that span airports throughout the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean and combined with its parent company, SSP, it has locations in more than 120 airports.
In October, Creative Host said it was considering adding locally-produced foods in Roanoke. In response to its latest changes, the company said it's seeking local products, but it hasn't yet added them.
Creative Host also has said that it wants to remain at the Roanoke airport long term, though its 10-year lease was up in October. Sherry Wallace, an airport spokeswoman, said last month that the restaurant has a month-by-month lease.
Onyx Premiere Hair Studio
After two years in business, a trendy salon in Salem decided to grow.
Onyx Premiere Hair Studio has added spa services, and it has expanded into a neighboring space at a retail center on Apperson Drive.
Last month, the studio added 1,500 square feet in a portion of a space that formerly housed Barewood Home Furnishings. The furniture shop moved to Brambleton Avenue earlier this year.
Onyx, which opened its doors in 2006 primarily as a hair salon, now also offers manicures and pedicures, and it houses a tanning bed. The business' clientele is growing, and its customers wanted "a touch of the spa atmosphere," said Karen Bradley, office manager at Onyx.
The new space also houses five additional hair stations, she said. Kate Lagueux is owner of Onyx.
Great Harvest Bread Co.
A Montana bread company wants to bring its concept to Roanoke, but it needs a local franchisee to do it.
Great Harvest Bread Co., a bakery known for its handcrafted breads made with whole wheat from Montana, is spreading its wings in Virginia, and the Roanoke Valley is on its radar screen, said Chief Executive Officer Mike Ferretti.
The company already has several stores in Northern Virginia, but Ferretti said areas with the population size of the Roanoke Valley fit the company's concept. Great Harvest is targeting a 2010 opening for its new location in the Roanoke area.
It has more than 200 bakeries nationwide.
For more information, visit www.greatharvest.com.
News from the Storefront blog at blogs.roanoke.com/storefront/
n AJ's, a food shop serving hot dogs, hamburgers and other fare, has opened in the former location of Steve's Famous Hot Dogs in Roanoke.
n Kroger is accepting donations for tornado victims.
n Kohl's is scaling back store openings.
