Jenny Kincaid Boone covers retail and real estate.

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@roanoke.com
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Jenny Kincaid Boone

Retail Roundup columns

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When business gets tough, some retailers turn up the deals.

A growing number of Roanoke area businesses are rolling out new programs and sales tactics to drive business during a slow spending climate.

Here are some examples:

Look for extra bang for your buck at some local health clubs, such as the Roanoke and Botetourt athletic clubs. Because of slow membership sales, the RAC and the BAC are taking strides to increase programming as a way to give additional value to memberships. The clubs are upping the number of parents night out events, offering dodgeball nights, and have installed Nintendo Wii machines in youth services areas, said Bud Grey, vice president of wellness and fitness for Carilion Clinic. Also, the clubs soon will offer a 30-day money back guarantee for memberships.

Punch cards are some of the newest additions to Famous Anthony's lineup. This local restaurant chain has been offering these frequent diners cards for more than a month. Get 10 punches, and you earn a free meal.

The punch cards, along with free meals for children on Saturdays and Mondays are new additions to draw people to dine at Famous Anthony's, said Tony Triplette, chief executive officer of the chain. His chain, similar to much of the restaurant industry, has felt the weight of the economy on business.

"We're trying to hold prices down," he said.

Padow's Hams & Deli wants to increase foot traffic and ease consumers' budgets by offering a new value menu for $5.99 per entree. The entrees include a sandwich, two side items and a drink.

Also, on Saturdays through November, patrons can receive double punches on Padow's punch cards for each sandwich purchased.

David Bell, owner of Padow's, said business has been unpredictable lately.

"Our busy days are really busy days and our off days, we're off," he said.

Still, advance orders of hams are coming in earlier than usual at Padow's. That's a sign that the holidays may be bright for the longtime eatery, Bell said.

Geonetti's Specialty Subs

The tastes of an Ohio family's sub sandwich chain are moving into Roanoke.

Two business partners, Rhonda Thomas and Tim Rowland, are making plans to open Geonetti's Specialty Subs in the former spot of Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea on Campbell Avenue in downtown Roanoke. They're putting the finishing touches on the 1,752-square-foot space, and they expect to open the eatery before Thanksgiving Day.

This new lunch and dinner spot will serve a variety of 8-inch and 16-inch Italian subs, crafted with recipes that Rowland has borrowed from his family's restaurant business.

Thomas recently described the subs as "East Coast style," with a menu that includes Philly cheesesteak and chicken Philly subs, and lighter options, such as veggie, chicken salad and tuna salad offerings. The subs are made on grilled hoagie rolls.

"This sub is so addicting," said Thomas, who also is a real estate broker who owns Chase Morgan Associates in Roanoke.

Salads, soups, such as chili, and cheesecakes also will be on the menu. Catering and eventually lunch delivery will be available.

Super Dollar Discount Foods

On Wednesday, a new discount grocery store will make its Roanoke Valley entrance.

Super Dollar Discount Foods is moving into a 26,000-square-foot spot in Vinton at the River Park Shopping Center, inside a former Winn-Dixie space. This is a no-frills chain that operates under the umbrella of privately-held K-VA-T Food Stores, headquartered in Abingdon.

This will be the company's eighth Super Dollar store, said Randall Tipton, director of operations for K-VA-T. It also owns Food City stores.

Earlier this year, the company opened a Super Dollar location in Christiansburg.

Super Dollar locations sell basic grocery items, along with fresh produce and meat, Tipton said.

He said there will be a Super Dollar operated gasoline fuel center in the parking lot of the Vinton grocer, but it will open after the store opens.

Market Street Pub

A bar and restaurant in downtown Roanoke plans to increase its entertainment offerings by getting larger.

Market Street Pub at 108 Market St. wants to expand into a neighboring 1,300-square-foot space, which formerly housed Greenhouse Boardshop. Owner Randy Sturgill is making plans to cut out a spot for a door leading into the next-door retail area.

The space will be outfitted with a pool table, a dance floor and a disc jockey booth, he said. There will be some seating in the room, but it mainly will serve as an entertainment area.

Market Street Pub opened in September, serving lunch and dinner.

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