Business News - July 29

✨ Feedback, freebies, and funding? Yes, please!

Author

Joya Garris
July 29, 2025

July is almost over! Are you already preparing for “back to school” season? The annual Sidewalk Sale is a great place to start.

Today’s Top Three:

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

  • Complete our feedback survey about the USA Cycling Championships.

  • Apply for our Beautification Grant!

Bonus: SBDC is offering three free workshops in August. Check them out in the “Gain Knowledge” section.

Keep reading to stay informed!  

- Joya Garris, Director of Marketing & Communications

Get Involved

Sign Up for the Sidewalk Sale! 🛍️ 

Don’t forget to register for the Downtown Sidewalk Sale on August 23rd. Businesses will set up tables outside, providing customers with an opportunity to check out the sales items and see what else is offered inside. Additionally, we’ll have a few downtown retailers set up in Market Square with preference given to those with storefronts located further away.

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

Cycling Event Feedback 📝 

We want your feedback on the USA Cycling Endurance Mountain Bike National Championships. The entire event took place July 14-20, with the downtown portion happening on July 16 and 17 in Elmwood Park. The survey takes less than 1 minute to complete!

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.

Apply for Our Beautification Grant 💰️ 

DRI offers Beautification Grants for downtown businesses and property owners to stimulate storefront beautification and to provide a financial incentive for property or business owners to improve/enhance commercial building exteriors. Examples include exterior signage; planting, beautification, or landscaping to storefront; exterior hardware, lighting, signage, or awnings; and sidewalk cafe furniture. We found a new awning company for those wanting new coverings!

Please download the application if you’re interested in participating.

Stay Informed

Subscribe to our Public Newsletter 📧 

Did you know we have a weekly public-facing newsletter with over 14,000 subscribers? The “Weekly Drop” covers the weekend ahead, live music, upcoming events, happy hours, specials, the farmer’s market, and more. We take information for this newsletter directly from our event calendar and specials page, so don’t forget to submit your happenings to our website.

We also have a referral program. For each friend you convince to subscribe, you earn points towards free downtown swag items including stickers, notebooks, wine tumblers, and fanny packs. Subscribe today to stay in the know!

Ambassador Update 💙 

Do you find before and after photos from the Downtown Roanoke Ambassadors as satisfying as we do?

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 July 28 - August 3

  • Straight Street Youth Night on Friday, 8/1and Saturday, 8/2 on Luck Ave SW between 3rd St and 4th St

  • Delta Dental Party in Elmwood on Thursday, 7/31 in Elmwood Park

  • First Fridays on Friday, 8/1

    Closures: Franklin Rd SW between Jefferson St and Williamson Rd

  • Martin’s Shakedown on Saturday, 8/2

    Closures: 1st Street SW between Luck Ave and Church Ave

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! 💼

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!