Business News - May 13

May and June are full of fun events! Find a couple you like and make plans to attend. There’s nothing better than community involvement.

Today’s Top Three:

• Don’t miss the Local Colors Festival this Saturday in Elmwood Park!

• DRI is excited to announce Member One presents Mega Market Match is back this Summer.

• Our Jordan Davis concert is right around the corner. Secure your tickets today.

Bonus: Another brewery will soon call Downtown Roanoke home.

Keep reading to stay informed!  

- Joya Garris, Director of Marketing & Communications

Get Involved

Make a Splash with Us! 🌊 

June 28 & 29, 2025

WDBJ7’s Star City Slide is the ultimate urban 800 foot long waterslide in Downtown Roanoke, benefiting the Roanoke Ambassador Program!

Only A Week Until Jordan Davis Concert 🎸 

May 22, 2025 | Elmwood Park

We’re just a week and two days away from Jordan Davis at the Budweiser Summer Series! Advanced tickets are $69 per person plus taxes and fees. Come out, grab a drink, and listen to country music in the park. There’s no better way to spend a Thursday evening.

New: VBR’s Regional Restaurant Week 🍔 

May 31 - June 8, 2025

The VBR Restaurant Week is seeking participants! The event will feature exciting menus and specials from participating restaurants throughout Virginia's Blue Ridge, including City of Roanoke, Salem, Vinton, Rocky Mount, Boones Mill, Botetourt County, Franklin County, and Roanoke County. Interested in participating? Complete the sign-up form and reach out to your local representative for additional information.

Stay Informed

Local Colors Festival Returns 💃 

May 17 | 11am - 5pm | Elmwood Park

Roanoke’s premier multicultural festival with an international flavor returns this Saturday! Now in it’s 34th, the Local Colors Festival features an Opening Ceremony, performances, and dozens of vendor booths representing cultures from around the globe. There will be cuisine, artisan booths, educational and cultural displays, and community partners. The children’s area has fun, interactive activities for youth to learn about different cultures. Plus, the international beer truck will be back! Admission is free.

Brewery Coming Downtown 🍺 

Did you hear the news? Parkway Brewing is opening inside a new space at The Bower Apartments. Check out the story below.

Member One presents Mega Market Match 💰️ 

Member One presents Mega Market Match is back! On Mega Market Match days, customers purchasing EBT/SNAP tokens will receive a dollar-for-dollar match, up to $100 per person! This means that for every $1 spent, users will receive an additional $1 in EBT/SNAP match to use with our Historic City Market vendors.

Mega Market Match days are 9am - 2pm on May 31, July 12, August 16, and September 20. DRI still matches up to $20 on regular days.

We’re adding a new element this year: Shoppers will have the opportunity to win “Downtown Market Bucks” by completing a financial health survey! These special dollars can be spent with any of our vendors, including farmers, artisans, and bakers. DRI will hold 4 drawings throughout the season, and each winner will receive $100 worth of “Market Bucks” to spend by December 31, 2025.

Ambassador Update 🧹

Thank you so much to Joe and the entire team at Cello Coffee House & Cafe for providing breakfast for the Downtown Ambassador Team last week. Your continual support and gesture appreciation means so much.

Gain Knowledge & Network

Hiring? Submit a listing to our Jobs Board! 💼 

Are you looking for a new cook, administrative professional, or accountant? Our jobs board is the perfect place to list your available position(s). Don’t forget to add the important details (responsibilities, benefits, and how to apply). Let’s attract qualified candidates!

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 May 12-18.

• Straight Street Youth Night on Friday, 5/16 and Saturday, 5/17 on Luck Ave SW between 3rd St and 4th St

• First Fridays on 5/16 on Franklin Road SW, between Jefferson St and Williamson Rd

• Local Colors on 5/17 in Elmwood Park and on Franklin Road SW, between Jefferson St and Williamson Rd

• Kids to Parks on 5/18 at Elmwood Park

• Tiny Tots Tri on 5/18 at Elmwood Park

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.

Parking Information

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.

Fill out the form.

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!

Submit a job listing here.

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.

Submit an event here.

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!

Important Contacts