Business News - August 5

🥂 Celebrating Success: Watch DRI's Annual Report Video 🎥

Author

Joya Garris
August 05, 2025

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Top Three:

  • We took a new approach to this year’s Annual Report . Watch our video to see what we’ve been up to!

  • The Sidewalk Sale is quickly approaching— Don’t forget to sign up or donate to our gift basket.

  • The new farmers’ market awning project was approved by City Council.

Keep reading to stay informed!  

- Joya Garris, Director of Marketing & Communications

Stay Informed

Watch Our Annual Report 📽️ 

Over the last 12 months, we’ve been busy ensuring the Downtown Service District remains vibrant and economically strong. Check out the highlights from an amazing year downtown. ⬇️ 

New Farmers’ Market Awnings Approved! 👩‍🌾 

Yesterday, City Council approved the replacement of the farmers’ market awnings to improve the experience for vendors, customers, and downtown visitors! They chose a color that aligns with the City’s branding, and DRI began the process with the awning company. After the large pieces of fabric are created, we will begin the installation process. Stay tuned for updates!

We’re excited to partner with the City of Roanoke on a structural update that will benefit our local farmers, artisans, and neighboring businesses. Funding for the project was made possible through a $50,000 infrastructure grant from the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Parking Study Coming Soon 🅿️ 

The City of Roanoke will be conducting a comprehensive year-long parking study to improving the accessibility, efficiency, and overall experience of parking in the downtown area. A professional consulting firm has been selected to lead the study. Throughout the process, the City will be gathering input from residents, business owners, and visitors. Once the specific dates and locations for these focus groups are finalized, we will notify you so you can participate and share your thoughts.

Ambassador Update đź’™ 

Goodbye, July! The Downtown Roanoke Ambassadors didn’t let the heat (or rain) prevent them from working hard.

Get Involved

Sign Up for the Sidewalk Sale! 🛍️ 

Don’t forget to register for the Downtown Sidewalk Sale on August 23rd.

Passport & Gift Basket

To encourage customers to visit each participating location, we’re creating a passport that they can complete by stopping at each business. Once their passport is full, they can submit it for a chance to win a gift basket. DRI has set aside funds to purchase items for the basket, and we’re also welcoming donations to help fill it. Thank you to those who have already offered to donate!

If you’d like to donate, please contact Joya at [email protected] or hit reply on this email.

New Gift Card Program Set To Launch 💳️ 

DRI is excited to announce that we are switching to a new gift card program in September that offers a better experience for customers, our staff, and participating merchants. Click here to learn more.

All businesses within the Downtown Service District can participate! To join, scroll down to the bottom of the page and hit the blue “Apply” button.

Subscribe to our Public Newsletter 📧 

The “Weekly Drop” is our public-facing newsletter that details the weekend ahead, live music, upcoming events, happy hours, specials, the farmer’s market, and more. Don’t forget to submit your specials and events to our website for inclusion.

Please review last week’s edition of the newsletter to ensure the “Weekly Favorites” (trivia, karaoke, etc. that occur each week) are correct. The same goes for “Happy Hours.” Email Joya for changes!

Gain Knowledge & Network

Upcoming Workshops by SBDC  

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 August 4 - 10.

  • Back to School Event on Wednesday, 8/6 on Third Street SW, between Albemarle Ave and Walnut Ave

  • Straight Street Youth Night on Friday, 8/8 and Saturday, 8/9 on Luck Ave SW between 3rd St and 4th St

  • Delta Dental Party in Elmwood on Thursday, 8/7 in Elmwood Park

Additional closures:

  • Drainage Project — Find updates and closures here .

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! đź’Ľ

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!