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- Business News - June 3
Business News - June 3
Local Restaurants Need Your Vote 🗳️
Joya Garris
June 03, 2025
Happy June! ☀️ Several holidays and celebrations take place this month, including Pride Month, Father’s Day, Juneteenth, and Summer begins on the 20th. Let’s make this a month to remember.
Today’s Top Three:
It’s going to be another action packed weekend downtown. Review the events and street closures section. Additionally, we’ve posted the closures for Star City Slide on June 27-29 so you can plan in advance.
The Roanoker Magazine’s ballot for the 2026 dining awards is open until June 13th. Don’t wait to cast your vote.
Art on 1st is now a recognized nonprofit!
Keep reading to stay informed!
- Joya Garris, Director of Marketing & Communications
Get Involved
Cast Your Vote 🗳️
Vote for your favorite locally owned and operated restaurants today! The Roanoker Magazine’s 2026 Readers' Choice Dining Awards ballot is open, but don’t wait to cast your vote because the ballot closes June 13th at midnight.
Local businesses are encouraged to share the survey link with customers, but any attempts to cheat, coerce, and/or ballot stuff (such as offering incentives, discounts, contests in exchange for votes, etc.) will result in immediate disqualification. Read full rules and regulations here .
Volunteer at our Fundraiser 💛
Want to join the fun of WDBJ7’s Star City Slide? We need volunteers to help make the event a success. Roles include check in assistants, slide monitors, tickets sellers, tube station attendants, and more.
Survey: Your Voice Matters 📣
The Roanoke Regional Partnership (RRP) and Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge (VVBR) want to unify tourism, economic development, and talent acquisition strategies. This collaborative brand alignment project aims to better align how we tell our story – to visitors, businesses, and residents alike.
Stay Informed
Star City Slide - Street Closures 🚧
We're thrilled to bring WDBJ7's Star City Slide to the heart of Downtown Roanoke on June 28 and 29. There will be a few street closures associated with the event. Access to residential units, businesses, as well as surface parking lots will be maintained. Overnight security will be on-site each night.
Closures:
Beginning at 7pm on Friday, June 27, and lasting until after the event on Sunday, June 29th. Removal of the slide will begin immediately but may take until midnight.
Salem Ave between 3rd St and Gainsboro Rd/2nd St
Gainsboro Rd/2nd St between Campbell Ave and Loudon Ave (behind the Dumas Center)
Reach out to Eric Pendleton at [email protected] with questions, comments, or concerns regarding these closures.
RPD Launches New Initiative 👮
RPD is launching Operation Summer Shield, a strategic summer initiative aimed at reducing violent crime through sustained and coordinated efforts involving felony warrant apprehension, targeted traffic enforcement, and proactive criminal interdiction. Summer Shield also includes downtown saturation patrols on Friday and Saturday nights during peak bar hours to deter fights, weapons violations, and disorderly conduct in the city’s busiest nightlife area.
Business Feature: Art on 1st 🎨
Art On 1st is a nonprofit gallery showcasing the work of painter Annie Schultz and photographer Rick Sheridan, along with a rotating selection of artists in various media. The gallery supports artists at all stages through exhibitions, classes, and open studio sessions. Space is also available for rentals, including photo shoots, lectures, and art-related events. Art on 1st just celebrated its grand opening as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit! Be sure to stop by and say congratulations. |  |
Gain Knowledge & Network
Ribbon Cuttings 🎀 ✂️
Hawk Advisors - Wednesday, June 4th at 10am
The Roanoke Regional Chamber is celebrating Hawk Advisers’ 10-Year Anniversary with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony ! Enjoy networking, refreshments, and a chance to connect with the Hawk Advisers team.
Atheling Meadworks Downtown - Thursday, June 12th at 10:30am
Welcome Atheling Tasting Room to Downtown Roanoke at the official Roanoke Regional Chamber ribbon cutting ! Celebrate this exciting new addition to our local scene. Atheling is serving up handcrafted mead, warm hospitality, and a seriously cool vibe. Stick around after the ribbon cutting for tours, mingling, and a toast to their success.
Women’s Resource Summit 🤰
Saturday, June 7th, 10am-1pm at Fralin Biomedical
The 2025 Women’s Resource Summit, Boundless with Boundaries, is an empowering and inspiring gathering designed exclusively for moms to embrace the beautiful journey of motherhood. This unique conference is a testament to the strength, resilience, and love that define the essence of motherhood. This free one-day event is a blend of insightful talks, interactive activities, and inspiring moments that honor the unique role we play in shaping our community.
15 Dominating Social Media Trends 📈
Hootsuite has your back on the social media trends shaping 2025 and how you can improve your marketing strategy. See which trends are holding strong, what’s changed, and what still deserves your attention.
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 June 2-8.
Straight Street Youth Night on Friday, 6/6 and Saturday, 6/7 on Luck Ave SW between 3rd St and 4th St
Delta Dental Party in Elmwood on Thursday, 6/5 at Elmwood Park
Taubman Late Nights on 6/6 at Taubman Museum of Art and sidewalk
Afro Beats on 6/6 at Century Plaza
Not Your Average R&B Fest on 6/6 - 6/7 at Elmwood Park
First Fridays on 6/6on Franklin Rd SW, between Jefferson St and Williamson Rd
Climate Crisis on 6/7 on sidewalk in front of City Market Building
Rick Springfield Concert on 6/8 at Elmwood Park
Update : Drainage Project — Starting today (Tuesday, 6/3), the intersection of 1st St and Salem Ave will be closed during Utility work. In the next 1-2 weeks, construction work will move to Salem Ave. Stormwater will continue to post 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!