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Recent columns

• Tech show doesn't quite get the feel of the mountains
• Minor league baseball returns to Pulaski with a bang
• Christiansburg's reopening event was historic occasion
• Tubing enthusiasts and river critters can co-exist

I've had a lot to say about Blacksburg's downtown lately because, frankly, it's a great place that's having a rough time.

Christiansburg's downtown has already been through some rough times, but it's still kicking.

A couple of months back, I wrote about some stores in the central downtown area. On my latest trip, I focused on the East Main Street end of things, where downtown turns a corner onto Roanoke Street.

There, under the watch of town hall, is a little area that's got a good mix of businesses.

On one side of Roanoke Street there's the well-stocked and attractive Second Chance Consignment Shop next door to Bill's Barber Shop, where I once received an extremely thorough hair-cutting.

Across the street, there's an insurance office, a payday lender, a cash register company and a car wash with sparkling clients on display.

In between are two appealing retail shops: Treasured Memories antiques and The Parent Teacher Supply Store.

Treasured Memories is a charming, neat-as-a-pin antique store with very nice things, including -- surprisingly -- what appeared to be an Indian sitar. Most of the items were a little more local, including a couple of items that caught my eye: a Roanoke Times playing card case and an old Lyric Theatre program.

The Parent Teacher Supply Store has the educational items you would expect, some of them with a religious flavoring. Better yet, there are some cool toys including Gears! Gears! Gears! -- which I suppose is educational, but I can also personally vouch for its awesomeness.

One drawback: When I visited, these various businesses did not have the same hours, which inhibits the downtown synergy somewhat. On the plus side, there was free parking in front of the stores.

Bottom line: Christiansburg's downtown is far from empty.