Jenny Kincaid Boone covers retail and real estate.

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Jenny Kincaid Boone

Retail Roundup columns

• Readers, thanks for your support
• Bastians Bar-B-Q to reopen
• Woolworth's space is being renovated in downtown Roanoke

The Storefront blog

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A Roanoke County restaurant space previously home to Mexican and Italian eateries is preparing for a new use -- a smokehouse.

In 2007, Pitt Boss squeezed into a cozy spot in a small retail strip center on Brambleton Avenue. At the most, 26 patrons can dine there at one time.

This May, the growing restaurant will shift to a larger venue, where at least 100 people can sit comfortably for dining. Owners James and Nickki Tedesco are renovating the 6,100-square-foot building at 4301 Brambleton Ave., formerly home to Tito's, an Italian restaurant, and at one time, El Rodeo.

The new space reflects the smokehouse theme. Construction crews are decorating the building's exterior with stained logs. They've also added a red tin roof and an A-frame archway over the main entrance.

Inside, patrons will find a menu of many of the same assorted barbecue offerings and special smoked steak nights. Alcohol will be served at a bar area. And there will be 14 televisions and surround-sound speakers placed throughout the restaurant.

By August, James Tedesco plans to open an outdoor dining patio behind Pitt Boss, offering diners a view of the mountains.

Tedesco, a Lynchburg native who's had previous stints in the restaurant business, would not reveal the cost of renovations to his new restaurant space. The Tedescos are leasing the building from El Rodeo Associates, its owner, with the option of buying it in the future, said Agustin Arellano, a property owner.

More restaurant news

Thomas Gardner is starting over on Campbell Avenue in downtown Roanoke.

Two years ago, Gardner opened Orange Dog, a well-known hot dog eatery, in a small space on the west end of Campbell Avenue. But last year, he closed Orange Dog because of the high demands of running two restaurants, one at Towers Shopping Center in Roanoke and the other downtown. Gardner was operating both locations while also working full time for a nonprofit that offered payment assistance to homeowners.

Eventually, Star City Cafe & Coffee opened at the 135 W. Campbell Ave. space, but it closed earlier this month. Now, Gardner, who no is longer working for his former employer, is trying again. He's making plans to open a picnic-themed restaurant at the downtown storefront where he rents space.

Midtown Picnic Club will serve picnic fare, including fried chicken, country fried steak, baked beans and macaroni and cheese.

Gardner described the food selection as "the kind of stuff that you like eating, but you don't want to spend time to make."

Based on Orange Dog's former business trends, Gardner found that most downtown lunch patrons order take-out meals. His new restaurant will open for lunch and dinner and offer delivery.

Gardner, who still owns Orange Dog at Towers, also plans to hold drawings for upscale picnic baskets for his downtown customers.

Look for Midtown Picnic Club to open early next month.

New arrangements

Looking for a tasteful arrangement? A retailer selling fruit arrangements that resemble floral bouquets wants to open a second Roanoke location.

Edible Arrangements is making plans to renovate a small space at Townside Festival Center on Franklin Road, beside Montano's International Gourmet, according to a city building permit. The national business sells bouquet-like arrangements that are designed using fruits such as strawberries, melon or pineapples. Chocolate-dipped strawberries and pineapples also are part of the selection.

Franchise owners Mike and Susan Mabery opened Edible Arrangements at Towne Square Shopping Center in Roanoke in 2006. A second location at Townside Festival Center will provide closer delivery access to customers living in South Roanoke, Southwest Roanoke County, Salem and other parts of the area, said Mike Mabery.

He's aiming to open the store by Mother's Day, which is May 10. That's one of the busiest holidays of the year for Edible Arrangements, alongside Valentine's Day, he said.

Check out www.ediblearrangements.com for more information about this retailer.

News from the Storefront blog at blogs.roanoke.com/rtblogs/storefront/:

n Affordability is a new focus at Target

n Salad Creations is open at Blacksburg's First & Main shopping center.

n More restaurants are offering deals to get you to spend money on food. What deals have you seen lately?