Local Business and Economic Development
G Marrano photos
Vinton-based The Advancement Foundation held a VIP open house for its “Virginia Innovation Accelerator” in downtown Buena Vista yesterday. The 40,000 square foot former cigarette paper manufacturing plant is now home to a handful of small companies looking to “scale up,” at the Accelerator. The Virginia Innovation Accelerator could be a prototype for similar shared-space projects in other communities served by the The Advancement Foundation, which has received more than $800,000 in grants to upgrade the building and to add a commercial kitchen that will be shared. More on this story soon. Kathy Deacon is Vice President of Business and Resource Development for the Advancement Foundation:
One expert says that a recent proposal could mean more businesses in the Valley — if it’s approved by the General Assembly. WFIR’s Emma Thomas has more:
This is “Cyber Monday”, the day retail businesses of many sizes hope to reap a bonanza in on-line sales. At Ladles and Linens Kitchen Shoppe in downtown Roanoke, owner Sarah Nicholas says on-line sales became much more important when COVID kept many shoppers away from stores. Now, with Black Friday and Small Business Saturday back as before, she expects Cyber Monday to fall behind them in total sales — but still helpful, especially so for one group of customers. More from WFIR’s Evan Jones:
Willow Tree FB photo
Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday – and now another designation this weekend – “Secondhand Sunday,” a first-time national event, suggested as a way to combat inflation by visiting thrift stores and other retailers like Willow Tree Antiques & Primitives in southwest Roanoke County. Owner Robin Barker says they offer shabby chic, farmhouse and antiques – from over 100 vendors. The new Secondhand Sunday designation approved by “National Day Calendar” was submitted on behalf of Poshmark, a social media marketplace for resale and secondhand items.
It looks like Sheetz is all set to close its location across from the Roanoke Civic Center this week — as it prepares open its new one at Orange Avenue and King Street. A Facebook post shows a photo at the Williamson Road location stating tomorrow is its last day of operation. In its own post, Sheetz says it will hold a grand opening celebration at Orange and King a week from Monday.
From Sheetz Facebook page:
Restoration Housing, the non-profit that restores older dilapidated houses and turns them into affordable multi-unit housing, cut the ribbon on its sixth completed project today. Restoration Housing invested around $300,000 in the Stewart Avenue house project, but grants, donations and historic tax credits helpedd to fully subsidize the remodeling of a two-story house, well over a century old. Executive director Isabel Thornton says the home on Stewart Avenue Southeast is already occupied by two families:
Vicki Gardner
SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE, VA – The Smith Mountain Lake Center, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing a multi-purpose venue to the region for education, events and entertainment, announced today it will not be located in the former Grand Home Furnishings Building at Westlake Corner.
“Just a week after releasing interior renderings of how we would have renovated and used the space, we were informed the building has been sold,” said Vicki Gardner, president of the SML Center’s Board of Directors.
“Obviously, we’re disappointed but we always knew this was a possibility because the building was being actively marketed,” she said. “We had made great strides but just weren’t able to raise the funds quickly enough to purchase it.”
Gardner said she spoke earlier this week to the new owner of the 40,000-square-foot building, who confirmed it will become the third location for Rock Outdoors. The North Carolina-based sporting goods retailer sells apparel and gear for fishing, camping, hiking, paddle sports, water sports and other outdoor recreation.
“Our board is pleased that it’s a great fit for the Smith Mountain Lake community,” said Gardner, the former executive director of the SML Regional Chamber of Commerce. “We’re all committed to enhancing the quality of life for our residents and visitors here.”
Gardner said the 12-member board will meet in the upcoming months to regroup and explore different ways the project can move forward. She reiterated that those who made contributions for the express purpose of purchasing the Grand building can opt to have their donation refunded.
Restoration and innovation were the words of the day to describe the NW Initiative at its unveiling. WFIR’s Emma Thomas with more on what that initiative will mean to the community: