Sunday, March 29, 2009
Storefront keeps you up to date
Jenny Kincaid Boone
Jenny reports on the latest news on the Roanoke Valley retail industry.
Recent stories
Is fast food healthy? What should you buy used, rather than new? Have any stores and restaurants opened lately?
You can find answers to these questions and read more local retail scoop at the Storefront blog. The topics headlining this month's conversations include smoke-free dining, store closings and healthy restaurant rankings by Health Magazine.
Below are some recaps from the Storefront blog at blogs.roanoke.com/rtblogs/storefront. Visit the blog for more retail news.
Restaurants are starting to drop smoking ahead of state law deadline: (March 10)
With the passing of landmark legislation to ban smoking at most of Virginia's bars and restaurants, we likely will start seeing local eateries cut out smoking well before the law takes effect on Dec. 1.
Metro, a downtown Roanoke restaurant and bar, took those steps last month, ahead of the law's passage by both houses of the Virginia General Assembly.
Since last year, owner Andy Schlosser allowed smoking in Metro's bar area after 10 p.m. He surveyed his patrons' preferences before making that change.
But in mid-February, he decided to ban smoking at all times for two reasons. He wanted to be prepared for the passage of the state law. And Metro started offering a late night bar menu in January.
"It had been our hopes not to have people eating and smoking," Schlosser said.
The response to a smoke-free Metro: "Nothing but positive comments" from customers, Schlosser said.
Closing of Sportsman's Warehouse: (March 10)
All items are 30 percent off, excluding firearms and ammunition, at Sportsman's Warehouse in Roanoke, where a liquidation sale is on in full swing.
The outdoors store on Ferncliff Avenue, near Home Depot in Northwest Roanoke, is one of 23 that Utah-based Sportsman's Warehouse will shut, though the closing date is unknown.
Office manager John Glovier said the store will close once all merchandise sells. That could be sometime in May or earlier, he said.
The store liquidations are taking place to reduce bank debt, according to the company.
The Roanoke store employs at least 54 people, according to a notice filed with the government listing the number of people affected by a closings or a layoff.
Some blog readers say they're disappointed with the closing news. Many considered Sportsman's Warehouse a true outdoors store with quality products and a larger selection. Other said they weren't too pleased with this retailer's location off Interstate 581.
What to buy used and what to buy new: (March 12)
We're all trying to save money these days. Two recent companion columns in MSN Money share ideas about what items you should try to buy used and what you should always buy new.
For used items, opt for books, DVDs and CDs, sports equipment, children's toys and hand tools. But you should choose new laptops, DVD players, car seats, plasma televisions, shoes and mattresses.
Many bloggers agreed with buying used books and DVDs. Others chimed in with additional thrifty ideas, such as buying automobile parts via Craigslist and shopping for used children's clothing at consignment shops.
Log onto the blog to offer your suggestions.
Can fast food be healthy? (March 18)
The Roanoke and New River valleys have three of the top 10 healthiest fast food restaurants, based on a recent ranking by Health Magazine.
For the ranking, the magazine considered restaurants that use healthy fats and sodium counts, organic foods, and offer sufficient nutritional information about their selections. Panera Bread had the highest ranking.
The restaurant winners with locations in this region are Panera Bread, Au Bon Pain and McDonald's. Check out the blog for the full top 10 list.
Restaurant and store openings and closings:
- Salad Creations opened March 1 at Blacksburg's First & Main shopping center (March 4).
- Olde Virginia Barbecue in Rocky Mount has shut its doors (March 5).
- Cosmic Castle, a new gaming store, is open at Towers Shopping Center (March 9).
