At a time when many small shops are closing their doors because of competition from mass retailers, a small women's boutique in downtown Roanoke is expanding its enterprise.

La De Da, an eclectic women's clothing and accessories boutique on Market Street, plans to open a shop in downtown Harrisonburg this month.

Owner Carole Hughes opened La De Da in Roanoke 13 years ago, but she has noticed Harrisonburg's growth potential, particularly with many people moving there from Northern Virginia.

"I feel like Harrisonburg is extremely up and coming," she said. "I felt like if I don't do it now, I'm missing the boat."

Plus, Hughes has several family members who live there, including two sisters who will manage and work at the store.

The Harrisonburg shop, slated for a 1,200-square-foot spot at 124 S. Main St., is about half the size of the Roanoke store.

Hughes said she finds Harrisonburg's downtown enchanting.

"It's really cute and quaint," she said. "It reminded me of this downtown [Roanoke] when we first started here."

The Harrisonburg store will bear the La De Da name and carry the same merchandise. Free People is one of the store's popular selling lines.

Robin House

Robin Dearing needed a break from busy days and evenings as a lawyer running her own practice locally. She has dived into a new career: retail.

Dearing opened Robin House at West Village in Roanoke County in December. The shop, which is in the bottom level of the retail center on Electric Road, has a variety of gift-related and home decor merchandise, such as baby gifts, garden items, golf antiques and animal-themed books and accessories. The store also houses a wedding registry. Baby gifts include sterling silver cups that can be engraved.

This is Dearing's first time owning a retail shop. But after much research and time coming up with a business plan, she took the plunge, though she's still practicing law part time. Dearing has worked as a lawyer for 19 years.

"I just decided to branch out," she said. "I was sort of burned out on the law business."

Schaal's Catering

The former location of a coffee shop in downtown Roanoke will be turned into a banquet hall for special events, such as wedding receptions, corporate functions and private parties. Schaal's Catering & Events is taking over a space at 402 Jefferson St. De Espresso, a coffee shop, recently closed its store there.

The catering company also has opened a spot in Fincastle for special-event use. It's at 101 E. Main St. inside a historic home called the Kyle House.

Allan Mower, director of sales for the catering company, described the Jefferson Street space, which will be called Schaal's on Jefferson, as having a contemporary aura. It will seat about 150 people for events, or the space can fit more than 200 for a cocktail-style party.

Rental rates for each location will be about $1,500 for a Saturday event.

The company still will offer off-site catering, Mower said. It also hosts smaller events at its showroom at 124 W. Campbell Ave.

Pubs

Another vacant downtown Roanoke space may be filling up.

Gunthers O'Darby pub has applied for a certificate of occupancy at 303 Jefferson St., the former location of Kara O'Caen's, an Irish pub that closed in 2004. The owner, Melvin Bostic, could not be reached for comment about the restaurant.

Another Irish pub is slated for West Village in Roanoke County. It's called Annie Moore's Irish Pub.