Business News - April 1

Pressure Washing Schedule 🚿🧽

Author

Joya Garris
April 01, 2025

It’s a big week in Downtown Roanoke! Our Ambassadors are out pressure washing (see the schedule under ‘Ambassador Update’), several businesses are celebrating anniversaries, and two meetings are slated for April. Read today’s newsletter for a quick rundown of what’s happening.

Today’s Top Three:

  • Early giving has begun for GIVE Roanoke!

  • Mark your calendars for April 16th. You don’t want to miss our next Retail & Restaurant Meeting.

  • The City of Roanoke is holding two informational Capital Improvement Meetings regarding an upcoming storm drain improvement project along Salem Avenue and 1st Street.

Keep reading to stay informed!  

- Joya Garris, Director of Marketing & Communications

Stay Informed

GIVE Roanoke 🫶

GIVE Roanoke is a fun, easy, and flexible way to donate and learn more about organizations making a difference in the Roanoke Valley. This year, Downtown Roanoke, Inc. is raising money for Downtown Beautification and the Ambassador Program. Our beautification efforts include 276 hanging baskets, 128 planters, 9 Market Square planters, Market Square tree lighting, and more. We truly believe having a clean, safe, and welcoming downtown is the foundation of a great city. Our 8-person Ambassador team is downtown 7 days a week providing nearly 300 hours of weekly services. Our Ambassador Program builds on existing services and allows us to improve the downtown experience for residents, employees, and visitors.

With your support, we hope to continue, and hopefully, grow these programs.

You can invest in your community through April 23, 2025, at 11:59pm.

Delta Dental Party in Elmwood Returns! 🎵 

The best beach party in the valley is back, bringing 11 Thursdays of live, outdoor music to Elmwood Park. Enjoy music, drinks, and dancing 5:30pm to 8:30pm. Admission is $10 per person at the gate. Kids under 12 are free!

Season passes are on sale now - April 30 for just $85! That means you’ll save $25 throughout the entire season. Purchase yours here.

New Member: Walker Commercial Services 

Walker Commercial Services prides itself as one of the most trusted and reputable commercial real estate and asset liquidation firms in the Mid-Atlantic region. Located right here in Downtown Roanoke, they offer a full spectrum of brokerage services from multi-family portfolios to large land tracts. The Walker team is your go-to partner for finding solutions to fit your individual needs.

Book No Further for Sale 📚️ 

After eight wonderful years, Book No Further’s owners have decided it’s time to retire, and their bookstore is looking for new ownership. If owning a bookstore is your dream, this could be your opportunity! For more details, email [email protected] or [email protected].

Ambassador Update 📝 

Spring has sprung, which means it’s time to pressure wash! Our Ambassadors have a tight schedule to clean as much of downtown as possible. They try to stick to early mornings before businesses open, as not to block the sidewalks. Check out this week’s schedule below.

*Subject to change.

Follow the official Downtown Ambassadors Facebook Page to stay updated on everything the team does!

April Business Anniversaries 🥳 

Get Involved

Save the Date: Retail & Restaurant Meeting 📆 

Wednesday, April 16th | 8:30am or 3:30pm | Zoom

It’s that time again! Join us virtually for our Retail & Restaurant Meeting on Wednesday, April 16th. We have two Zoom sessions to choose from. Early birds can jump on the 8:30am call and those working later have the 3:30pm option.

Capital Improvement Project Meeting 🤝 

The City of Roanoke's Economic Development department and Stormwater division are holding two informational meetings regarding an upcoming storm drain improvement project along Salem Avenue and 1st Street. Civil Engineer Marcus Aguilar, PhD, will share all pertinent details and answer questions. You are invited to attend because your property may be impacted by the construction. The meetings are scheduled for Thursday, April 10th, at 9am and 2pm in the Economic Development Conference Room, located at 117 Church Avenue, across the street from Texas Tavern. You only need to attend one session, as the same information will be presented at both meetings.

Gain Knowledge & Network

Networking & Career Development Opportunities

Events, Street Closures, & Parking

Downtown Events and Street Closures 🚧

The following street closures and associated events may affect Downtown traffic and business for the week of March 31 - April 6.

  • Straight Street Youth Night on Friday, 4/4 & Saturday, 4/5

    • Closure: Luck Ave SW between 3rd St and 4th St

  • Taubman Late Nights on Friday, 4/4 on the sidewalk and loading area alcove in front of the Taubman Museum

  • Norwruz Celebration on Saturday, 4/5 at Main Library and Art Walk

Check out our Event Calendar for a full list of events.

Find Downtown Parking 🅿️

With more than 1,300 on-street spaces and 7,000+ off-street spaces, plenty of free or paid parking options exist.

DRI - Your Downtown Partner

Put DRI to work for you! 💼

Our mission is to make Downtown Roanoke the preferred place to Work, Live, and Play. As a Downtown business, you have a valuable FREE resource at your fingertips. Let us help share your story!

Website Listings on DowntownRoanoke.org - Our business listings often come up among the first in Google searches. Help us enhance your listing by providing us with vital information including website, phone number, description, hours, menus, and images.

Job Listings on DowntownRoanoke.org - Downtown Roanoke is the most vibrant workplace around and a destination for job seekers. Let us help get the word out when you’re hiring!

Event Listings on DowntownRoanoke.org - Our Event Calendar is THE place people go to find out what’s happening Downtown. Get your event in front of the audience you’re looking for.

Important Contacts 👤

Often businesses need phone numbers for government services, such as solid waste, permitting, etc., and other services, such as private parking and transportation.

Check out our list of frequently requested information!