Business News - January 7

Snow Day Downtown ❄️

Author

Joya Garris
January 07, 2025

Brrrrr…it’s cold outside! I hope you enjoyed the snow day while staying safe yesterday. Don’t forget to shovel the snow in front of your business so folks can utilize the sidewalk.

Today’s Top Three:

  • Roanoke professionals are recognized for their leadership and success.

  • Register for Restaurant Week!

  • Our next Retail & Restaurant Meeting is slated for January 16th.

Bonus: Applications for Virginia Women’s Municipal Leadership Institute close January 9th.

Keep reading to stay informed!  

- Joya Garris, Community Engagement and Communications Manager

Stay Informed

Snow Shoveling ☃️

The season's first snowfall is truly enchanting downtown! We want to remind everyone that businesses are required to clear the sidewalks in front of their establishments within 24 hours. Please try not to push snow into the roads.

40 Professionals Under 40 Recognized 💼

The Roanoker Magazine celebrates professionals in the Roanoke Valley with its “40 Under 40” feature! These leaders, innovators, and visionaries have been deemed the best in our area. We want to congratulate all winners, especially those from Downtown Roanoke. Help us applaud the following pros:

  • Jocelyn Ashwell, 37 / Product Development Manager, Firefli

  • Alexandria Pilot Chambers, 38 / Assistant Director of Operations, Center for Neurobiology Research, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion

  • Amanda Holcomb, 37 / Director of Community Engagement, Council of Community Services

  • Genya Kalinina, 32 / Social Media Entrepreneur, Hello Roanoke

  • Eric Sichau, 33 / President & CEO, Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce

Ambassador Updates 📝

Dickens of a Christmas allowed our Ambassadors to showcase their hospitality to all. Check out everything the team achieved in December!

Want to see more from the team? Follow our official Downtown Ambassadors Facebook Page.

Get Involved

Restaurant Week Reminders🍔 

Restaurant Week is January 17th - 26th and registration is now open!

Due to the snowstorm and extensive media coverage, we have decided to hold our official press release until Wednesday. We want the story to receive as much coverage as possible! We posted on social media already to capitalize on all of the folks staying home on Monday.

The following businesses have registered: 202 Social House, Beamer's 25, Billy's, Caribbica Soul, Cello Coffee House & Cafe, Corned Beef & Co., Food Fanatics Kitchen, Fortunato, Frankie Rowland's, Fruits and Roots, Hangry Bulldog, Hibachi Guys, Inka Grill Peruvian Cuisine, Jaybird Tavern, Lucky, Martin's Downtown, Our Daily Bread, The Pine Room & 1882 Lobby Bar, Sidecar, Status Restaurant & Lounge, Table 50, Tuco's Taqueria Garaje, and The Vault at the Liberty Trust

Reminders:

If you have registered and selected a ‘Restaurant Choice’ option, please send us your chosen price so we can list it online. All businesses are reminded to submit menus as soon as possible.

Retail & Restaurant Meeting 💻️ 

Let’s start the new year strong— join us for our next Retail & Restaurant Meeting on Thursday, January 16th at 8:30am and 3:30pm via Zoom! Keep your eyes peeled for an agenda as we approach mid-January.

Is there an item you’d like us to discuss? Hit reply on this email to let us know!

Gain Knowledge & Network

Virginia Women’s Municipal Leadership Institute 👩‍💼

Applications for the Virginia Women's Municipal Leadership Institute will close at midnight on January 9th. This initiative is a collaboration between Virginia Women Leading Government and the Virginia Tech Roanoke Center that equips women in local government with essential connections and resources to enhance their skills, thereby strengthening the pathway for women to lead communities across Virginia and beyond.

Taxes, Privacy, and You: Industry Discussion 🔒

January 28, 2025 | 1pm – 2pm

Taxes and privacy are major issues impacting the advertising and marketing industry in 2025. From new regulations to ensuring that our collective voice is heard on major issues, AAF Executive Vice President of Government Affairs Clark Rector will cover what’s happening in Washington, DC, and how it trickles into local businesses every day.

Join AAF Roanoke at the Roanoke Higher Education Center for an insightful discussion on the future of the advertising and marketing industry. This talk is important to everyone connected to advertising and marketing, whether you work at an agency, in-house, as a freelancer, or at a media organization. Members and non-members are invited to attend.

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 January 6 - 12.

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!