Business News - March 25

Beach music returns to Elmwood! 🏖️ 🎵

Author

Joya Garris
March 25, 2025

It’s another exciting week to work in Downtown Roanoke! This newsletter is a bit longer than usual, so grab your 2nd (or 3rd) coffee of the day and take a minute to shift through everything.

Today’s Top Three:

  • We’re a little less than a month away from GIVE Roanoke. Let’s raise money for local nonprofits!

  • Read a message from Book No Further’s owners.

  • Delta Dental Party in Elmwood returns with 11 Thursdays of live, outdoor music!

Keep reading to stay informed!  

- Joya Garris, Community Engagement and Communications Manager

Stay Informed

GIVE Roanoke 🫶

GIVE Roanoke is a fun, easy, and flexible way to donate and learn more about organizations making a difference in the Roanoke Valley. This is a day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. GIVE Roanoke is hosted by the Council of Community Services.

You can invest in your community through April 23, 2025, at 11:59pm.

Participating nonprofits should start thinking about their campaigns and gear up for a major fundraising opportunity. Don’t forget to review the nonprofit toolkit!

Delta Dental Party in Elmwood Returns! 🎵 

The best beach party in the valley is back, bringing 11 Thursdays of live, outdoor music to Elmwood Park. Enjoy music, drinks, and dancing 5:30pm to 8:30pm. Admission is $10 per person at the gate. Kids under 12 are free!

New Member: First Bank 🏦 

Naturally, First Bank believes there’s power in one. You make a better world one person at a time. And you build a better bank one satisfied customer at a time. Your unique wants and needs drive First Bank to be different, better, and a cut above the rest. They’re one bank that’s both individualized and highly innovative. Large enough to offer everything you desire, but small enough to know you by name.

Book No Further for Sale 📚️ 

As owners of Book No Further we have decided the time to retire has come and our store is for sale.

Book No Further, 9112 Market St SE) as an established, well-respected independent bookstore, has long championed the “read local" cause and new ownership will ensure books and other regional offerings remain readily available to the reading public. If owning a bookstore has long been your dream, this just may be the right opportunity.

In its eighth year, Book No Further is fully operational (brick and mortar and website), selling new and used books with a focus on local, regional and Appalachian authors and books. The store hosts 25-50 on- and off-site events a year (including book clubs, author signings and readings) and offers literary-themed sidelines. The operation includes a business-to-business sales operation and conducts new-book sales online through a dedicated website.

The sale would include all inventory, furnishings, fixtures, as well as intangibles, (including customer lists, management tools and brand name, etc.) If you are interested in learning more, email [email protected] or [email protected]

-Doloris Vest and Craig Coker

Ambassador Update đź“ť 

We couldn’t have asked for better support this St. Patrick’s Day! THANK YOU to the Downtown Roanoke Ambassadors for all your hard work, from setup to cleanup!

Follow the official Downtown Ambassadors Facebook Page to stay updated on everything the team does!

Get Involved

Save the Date: Retail & Restaurant Meeting 📆 

Wednesday, April 16th | 8:30am or 3:30pm | Zoom

It’s that time again! Join us virtually for our Retail & Restaurant Meeting on Wednesday, April 16th. We have two Zoom sessions to choose from. Early birds can jump on the 8:30am call and those working later have the 3:30pm option.

Register for Bites and Bevs: June 16-22 🥨🍹

Showcase your best appetizers, small plates, cocktails, wines, craft beers, and spirits to attract customers exploring Downtown Roanoke’s culinary scene. Let’s boost your foot traffic and sales—join us and the other 14 registered businesses for Bites & Bevs!

Gain Knowledge & Network

Get2KnowNoke’s Q1 Social 🍸️ 

Don’t miss Get2KnowNoke’s first social of the year! Quarterly socials are FREE and open to working-age professionals in the Roanoke Region. The only requirement? Join the Talent Network. I’ll be there, so stop by and say hello (and meet my lovely spouse).

Networking & Career Development Opportunities

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 March 17-23.

  • Straight Street Youth Night on Friday, 3/21 & Saturday, 3/

    • Closure: Luck Ave SW between 3rd St and 4th St

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! 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!