Sunday, July 12, 2009
'Storefront' readers weigh in online
Jenny Kincaid Boone
Jenny reports on the latest news on the Roanoke Valley retail industry.
Recent stories
The owner of Trio Market Bar Cafe recently called it quits. Why did the restaurant fail?
Ukrop's Super Market's saga in Roanoke continues. Can the grocery chain turn itself around?
Fast Freddy's in Salem is closed for good, and a new Mexican eatery is on its way. What do you think of the transformation?
Readers offer their take on this retail news and more.
Check out excerpts from the past month's chatter and local retail news at the Storefront blog, blogs.roanoke.com/rtblogs/storefront.
Roanoke toy store growth takes shape (June 9)
The Roanoke Toys "R" Us store near Valley View Mall is slated to land an "R" Market section this year.
"R" Market is a new concept for the mega toy chain. It includes basic items, such as paper towels, cleaning supplies and snack items, to lure time-starved shoppers.
The "R" Market is being rolled out in about 260 Toys "R" Us stores.
Readers react to Trio's closing (June 16)
Trio Market Bar Cafe in downtown Roanoke shut its doors last month, and blog readers think they know the reasons why the former fine dining restaurant-turned-cafe failed.
Was it lack of parking or just the idea that diners have to pay for parking in general? What about the restaurant's high prices or poor service, some readers say.
Sands Woody opened Trio 312 years ago with high hopes.
Unfortunately, the business did not produce the success and revenue that he expected. He indicated that the reasons for the restaurant's failure aren't all related to the economic downturn and that he should have closed it two years ago.
"In the end, there's just not enough business coming through the doors to justify keeping it open," Woody said.
Earlier this year, he even tried to reinvent Trio's image by turning the fine dining space into a deli-cafe.
Woody, who lives in a condo above Trio, said he's retiring from the restaurant business. He used to own Trio's building at 315 Market St., but he sold the commercial spaces last year, .
Now, Woody, 64, owns only his condo on the building's third floor.
Future of Ukrop's still on the rocks (June 19)
Ukrop's Super Market reports that it's not doing much better in Roanoke more than six months after the Richmond grocer sent an impassioned letter to area customers, asking for more support. What's going on there?
Ukrop's needs to open on Sundays and sell alcohol, some readers said. Others have chimed in that the grocer should lower prices and offer better coupon deals.
Still, many shoppers love the store's deli and prepared foods, the store personnel and the underground parking. If the grocer fails, it's Roanokers' fault for not supporting a new and different food retailer, readers said.
Fast Freddy's site will become a new business: (June 18, June 26)
Fast Freddy's in Salem won't be reopening its doors.
Former owner Gary Goldacker said last month that the restaurant wasn't profitable. Some blog readers weighed in, writing that food quality and customer service at the establishment at the corner of West Main and Fourth streets needed improvement.
Even so, the structure will house a Mexican restaurant in the future. Rancho Viejo Mex Grill is headed there, according to a sign outside of the vacant eatery.
Retailer openings announced in June:
- Bella Beauty is making plans to come to Valley View Mall, according to a city building permit. (June 25)
- PETCO, a national pet retailer, will open a store at Towers Shopping Center in Roanoke. (June 26)
- Walkabout Outfitter opened in the former Agnew Seed store in downtown Roanoke on June 29. (June 29)
