Sunday, June 14, 2009
Building has a cluster of wedding shops
Jenny Kincaid Boone
Jenny reports on the latest news on the Roanoke Valley retail industry.
Recent stories
Even as economic constraints force couples nationwide to trim budgets for their dream weddings, several Roanoke area bridal retailers have created a one-stop cluster for soon-to-be brides and grooms.
In the past few months, three retailers selling stationery, jewelry and flowers have opened inside a building on Peters Creek Road that also houses longtime wedding apparel businesses, Brides House & Formals and Mr. Tuxedo. This building has been dubbed the Event Square on Peters Creek Road.
The business owners there say sales are steady, though some are working more than ever to stay within couples' tightened budgets.
The average cost of a U.S. wedding was $21,814 in 2008, and the cost is estimated at $20,398 in 2009, according to Wedding Report Inc., a market research company. The company expects the wedding market to remain soft through this year and in 2010, as the recession suppresses spending. Already, wedding bookings are declining nationwide, and some couples are trimming their guest lists to keep costs down, according to Wedding Report.
Still, couples are not likely to cancel their weddings because of the recession. These love-struck brides and grooms are the consumers that Linda Garbee wants to attract.
Garbee closed her former stationery and gift shop, You're Invited, at The Forum in Southwest Roanoke County in April.
She opened Alice in Paperland (named after her mother) on Peters Creek Road as a studio where she can focus on custom stationery, her specialty. Garbee, who's also a wedding coordinator, offers individually designed invitations and announcements for a variety of social occasions, particularly weddings.
In February, Tiffany Johnston moved her custom jewelry business from Vinton to the Event Square complex. Johnston, a private jewelry and diamond broker, grew up in the retail business. Her family owned a jewelry store in Princeton, W.Va. She started her own venture, Tiffany Lynn Diamonds, in 2003.
Johnston mostly works by appointment. So far, at her new location, she's had more demand for wedding bands. That's because a bride who is gown shopping typically already has her engagement ring, Johnston said.
Finally, a new florist, Twig & Berry, opened early this year inside the same building.
Billy Shepard, who formerly worked for the now defunct Florabella, a floral and decor shop, is the floral designer. Debbie Haynes, who manages the Brides House, owns Twig & Berry.
Retailer leaves market building
Drama at downtown Roanoke's City Market Building has forced another retailer to hit the road.
In late April, Creations Gift Shoppe and Art Gallery left its storefront on the outer edge of the market building, and soon after, reopened in Buchanan.
Troubles at the market building, from mouse infestation to questions about the structure's future, have left the owners of Creations concerned for their financial livelihood. Sales at the shop that sells goldtone metal photographs and jewelry, along with T-shirts and other gifts, dropped dramatically -- likely a result of the negative publicity, said Creations co-owner Francine Barish-Stern. The shop opened in 2006 in downtown Roanoke.
"There's been so much going on with the City Market building since we came in," she said. "Each time something happened, there were less and less customers."
Traffic was particularly slow in April for Creations. That along with news that the market building could be closed for a year for renovations was the final straw for Barish-Stern and her husband, Kenneth Bray.
They found an empty storefront in Buchanan. Covering more than 5,000 square feet, the shop's new home at 19818 Main St. is much larger than its tight space in downtown Roanoke.
The larger store offers room to sell wares from artists and crafters. Also, Creations will host writing classes and other events through Golden Quill Press, a publisher.
'Go Green' taxis going strong
A local taxicab service with a green thumb has been running strong since late last year.
You may have noticed "Go Green" taxis in the area. This is a Vinton-based cab service that uses hybrid vehicles to transport passengers throughout the Roanoke Valley.
Janie Miles, owner and founder of the company, discovered other alternative green transportation companies while vacationing in Europe and in other parts of the United States. In Roanoke, she chose hybrid vehicles because they have low fuel consumption and low emissions.
For now, Go Green has two cars and three drivers. The company's vehicles are a 2009 Toyota Prius and a 2009 Toyota Camry. The Prius makes runs seven days a week, and the Camry is used Thursday through Sunday.
You can reach Go Green Taxi at 397-5555.
News at the Storefront at blogs.roanoke.com/rtblogs/storefront/
- Toys "R" Us is rolling out its "R" Market in select U.S. stores, including in Roanoke.
- SoRo Chill & Grill, a new restaurant, is planned for Piccadilly Square in Roanoke.
- Which chain restaurants offer the best bargains?
