Sunday, September 21, 2008
Salem store expands wares
Jenny Kincaid Boone
Jenny reports on the latest news on the Roanoke Valley retail industry.
Recent stories
From lamps and end tables to women's clothing and picture frames, a Salem store is expanding its already eclectic offerings.
Mario Industries, the Heartfelt Collections Co. and Three 17 Boutique are the newest additions at Olde Salem Mercantile.
These retailers have joined the approximately 47 vendors that sell their wares under one roof at this large Apperson Drive shop. Each business pays rent and a percentage of its sales to the owners of Olde Salem Mercantile.
Three 17 Boutique is Jamie McKibben's first retail venture. McKibben, who is manager and an owner of Olde Salem Mercantile, opened this women's boutique in April, selling a mix of casual and dressy apparel targeting women 18 to 45 years old. Her clothing lines include Joy Joy, LA Made and Matty M.
A fashion major who graduated from Virginia Tech, McKibben wanted to have her own shop.
"I saw the opportunity for one more thing that's different in here," she said.
Last month, Mario Industries and Heartfelt Collections Co. joined the store's line up.
Roanoke-based Mario Industries sells lamp bases and shades and small furniture, such as coffee and end tables. The manufacturer's signature products are handcrafted leather lamps, according to its Web site.
Heartfelt Collections, based in Salem, manufactures framed items, such as picture frames, and it sells home decor. In 2005, it expanded into the Christian Home Accents by Heartfelt line, creating wall decorations with scripture.
The company sells its gift items to retailers.
Kabuki Japanese Steakhouse
The wait almost is over for lovers of Japanese food.
Kabuki Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi will reopen at 5 p.m. Sept. 29 after closing for nearly five months for major renovations, said Atsuhiko Nakajima, general manager of the restaurant.
The Roanoke eatery on Franklin Road is expanding its floor size by 5,000 square feet to 11,500 square feet total, making way for more customer seating. It also is adding a sushi bar in the eatery's former bar area.
202 Market
By Oct. 1, an upscale downtown Roanoke eatery expects to welcome a hungry lunch crowd.
202 Market, located on Market Street, is making plans to open for lunch. The chef and general manager, Chad Scott, said customers have requested that the restaurant have lunch hours. It opened for the midday meal for several months last year, serving tapas.
But when 202 Market opens again for lunch, the menu will feature basic fare, with an array of salads, soups and panini sandwiches, Scott said, describing it as a "clean, quick menu."
ABC
In early to mid-October, the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control plans to open a store at a new retail center on U.S. 460 in Roanoke County. ABC is relocating its Roanoke store from Orange Avenue, at the Market Square East Shopping Center, to a larger space at a new center, Kroger Square at Bonsack. The store closed its Orange Avenue location last month.
News from the Storefront blog at blogs.roanoke.com/storefront/
-- The Virginia Department of Health now lists smoke-free restaurants in each locality on its Web site.
-- What's your preference? Big or small grocery stores.
-- Discuss Roanoke's restaurant ratio.
