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- Business News - February 4
Business News - February 4
Tickets now on sale 🎫
Joya Garris
February 04, 2025
Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow—we’re in for 6 more weeks of winter. Make sure you have enough seasonal merchandise to last through the extended wintery weather.
Today’s Top Three:
Take advantage of the opportunity to be included in our Valentine’s Day feature post.
The Freedom First St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Shamrock Festival returns to Downtown Roanoke on Saturday, March 15th!
Check out VBR’s Visitor’s Guide and Map— the ultimate tool for encouraging visitors to stay, shop, and eat downtown.
Keep reading to stay informed!
- Joya Garris, Community Engagement and Communications Manager
Stay Informed
Ambassador Updates 📝
January was another busy month for our incredible Ambassador Team! The statistics outline exactly what the team tackled.
Hospitality assists, directions, and escorts: 329
Sweep/small clean up: 295
Outreach contacts: 145
Outreach referrals: 28
Bags of litter collected: 95
Scooter relocations: 95
Business contacts: 80
Biohazard clean up: 70
Handbills, stickers, and graffiti removed: 29
Small bulk trash removed: 13
Weed abatement: 2 (block faces)
Want to see more from the team? Follow our official Downtown Ambassadors Facebook Page.
Get Your Green On ☘️
 | The annual Freedom First St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Shamrock Festival returns on Saturday, March 15th. The parade kicks off at 11am sharp, while the festival runs 10am to 5pm with performances by In The Meantime, Funky Bone, and The Jared Stout Band on the Delta Dental Main Stage. The press release will be sent to the media tomorrow for our official announcement! |
Business Feature: Davidsons 👔
Since 1910, Davidsons Clothing has operated in Roanoke as a full-service men's clothing store. Founded on the core principle that a few high-quality items are better than fast fashion, Davidsons sets itself apart from the competition. The retailer specializes in tailored formal, business, and casual wear, as well as athletic leisurewear, accessories, furnishings, and shoes. |  |
Click here to learn more about the rich history behind one of downtown’s oldest operating stores.
Seeking Seasonal, PT Market Clerk🧑🌾
 | We are looking for a Market Clerk to assist us during the busiest days of the season! Interested applicants should email their resume and cover letter to Eric Pendleton, Director of Operations at [email protected]. Feel free to pass this along if you know a good fit for the role! |
Get Involved
Last Call for Valentine’s Day Submissions 💝
Don’t forget to submit your events and specials for Valentine’s Day (and Galentine’s) to our website. Submissions are used to create a feature post on all the downtown happenings. The post goes live tomorrow so this is your last chance for inclusion. Additionally, Izzy pulls information for her weekly newsletter straight from listings.
Sections include:
Gifts: Valentine’s Day sales and discounts
Food specials
Valentine’s themed events
Galentine’s Day events
Click here to view a similar feature post written for Halloween.
Restaurant Week Marketing Recap & Feedback 📝
Thank you to all 33 participating businesses who made Restaurant Week a roaring success!
Please review the brief recap of our Restaurant Week marketing efforts. We recently updated the radio data in the summary.
Additionally, we’re gathering input from restaurant managers and customers to improve next year. Please complete the appropriate survey below.
Call for Artists 🎨
The Little Gallery is accepting submissions for the 2025 Rising Stars Invitational! Submissions should be from early-to-mid-career artists within a 4-hour drive of The Little Gallery.
Submit at least 5 images of your best artwork to [email protected] by April 1st to be considered for the show. No calls or walk-ins are accepted.
Gain Knowledge & Network
Mayor’s Business Summit 🧑💼
Monday, March 10 | 8:30am - 12pm
Mayor Joseph L. Cobb's FREE Business Summit, titled "Starting and Developing Your Small Business" helps small businesses get the tools and resources needed to thrive.
Event sessions include: Empowering Your Business, Funding Resources and Programs, Social Media and Marketing Strategy, and Small and Mighty Business Owners.
Registration is required!
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 February 4 - 9.
DRI doesn’t know of any closures for the week.
Please review the street closures associated with the Freedom First St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Shamrock Festival on Saturday, March 15.
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!