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- Business News - October 22
Business News - October 22
A BIG Weekend Downtown 🎃
Joya Garris
October 22, 2024
What are your Halloween plans? Many of you are hosting celebrations and events Downtown this weekend!
Today’s Top Three:
Don’t forget about our Downtown Employee Halloween Costume Contest! You could win cash prizes.
We’re holding a Holiday Market on the Historic Roanoke City Market.
Register for Small Business Saturday!
Bonus: The Holiday Gift Guide is returning after a single year pause.
Keep reading to stay informed!
- Joya Garris, Community Engagement and Communications Manager
Stay Informed
News Flash 🗞️
RPD’s New Safety Plan
The City of Roanoke Police Department announced its new Downtown Safety and Visibility Enhancement Plan which was developed in response to growing concerns regarding safety and public order.
For more information, please email Marc Nelson at [email protected] or call (540) 853-2717.
Business Equipment Incentive Program
You could qualify for matching funds to help pay for equipment. The Economic Development Authority (EDA) has committed $400,000 over the next two years to provide businesses with financial assistance for equipment purchases.
Dr Pepper Day Returns to Roanoke 🥤
You’d be surprised at how many inquiries we received about Dr Pepper Day…but we have all of the needed details.
Dr Pepper Park at the Bridges is hosting a FREE event on Thursday, October 24th in Market Square from 12pm - 3pm with free sodas, free limited edition t-shirts, and other goodies while supplies last!
Have you ever wondered why Dr Pepper Day is 10/24? “Drink a Bite to Eat at 10, 2 and 4” was a legendary slogan used for decades to remind Dr Pepper fans to enjoy their favorite “pick me up” at three intervals during the day when research showed human energy to lag.
Ambassadors in Action 🎬
Small Business Awards Nomination
Thank you to the Chamber of Commerce for nominating the Downtown Roanoke Ambassador Program for the People’s Choice Award (Non-profit) at the 2024 Small Business Celebration & Awards Ceremony. While we didn’t win, just being nominated is such an honor. Thank you to everyone who voted for us. Your support means so much. |  |
 | Go Fest AssistanceOur Ambassadors had a great time helping folks park, cross the street, and find the shuttle at GO Fest last weekend. Anthony and Camryan did a wonderful job! #hospitality |
Get Involved
Downtown Employee Costume Contest 🎃
Compete for CASH prizes and show off your creativity in Market Square by competing in the Downtown Employee Halloween Costume Contest! Registration begins in person at 12pm on Thursday, October 31st. The City Market Building will serve as our rain location.
💵 Prizes: $200 for 1st place, $100 for 2nd place, $50 for 3rd place, and $100 for best group.
Downtown Candy Crawl 🍬
Join us for Macaroni Kid’s Downtown Candy Crawl on Saturday, October 26th, from 10am - noon.
Participating businesses will hand out candy and treats to eager little ghouls and goblins. If you would like to participate, Macaroni Kid asks that you commit to purchasing and handing out candy or other treats (tattoos, stickers, trinkets) outside of your physical location during the event. Prepare for a crowd and stock up on plenty of goodies! |  |
Promoting Local Shopping with a Gift Guide 🎁
We’re excited to announce that the Downtown Holiday Gift Guide is returning this year! The guide is published around the end of November to coincide with Black Friday and Small Business Saturday.
Photoshoot Days: November 14th & 15th
Please bring your items to DRI no later than November 11th by the end of the day. Our office closes at 4:30pm.
Our professional photographer and I will arrange your items, photograph them, and email you when they can be collected. Additionally, please email me with the item names, prices, and categories. If you do not select categories, I will use my best judgment.
Categories:
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Please reach out to Joya with questions. You can hit “reply” on this email or send a message to [email protected].
Extend Hours During the Holiday Market! ❄️
Keep your doors open for our new Holiday Market on Saturday, November 23rd from 4-8pm. We are excited to partner with Savvy Events once again to bring craft vendors, holiday-themed vendors, and regular Farmers Market vendors setting up for an extended day for customers to meet their holiday shopping needs! Additionally, this event will be family-friendly with free activities for kids throughout the Market area!
Interested vendors can reach out to Jason Lane at [email protected] to apply to join the event.
Join us for Small Business Saturday 🛍️
Small Business Saturday is Saturday, November 30th from 10am - 6pm at various businesses throughout downtown, and you’re invited to participate! This event is perfect for clearing out last season’s products and encouraging local shopping for the holidays.
Stay Open Late for Dickens 🎄
Dickens of a Christmas is quickly approaching. Staying open during the festivities will help boost holiday sales!
DRI will list your business in a special Roanoke Times Dickens insert if you commit to staying open late each night of Dickens (Dec. 6, 13, and 20).
DRI will also list your giveaway if you provide one.
Hit reply on this email to let us know you’re staying open late.
Gain Knowledge & Network
Get a Budget-Friendly Headshot 📸
In the modern era of social media, a professional headshot is more important than ever because first impressions happen long before you step through the door at a job interview or meeting with a client. Ad 2 Roanoke is hosting Headshot Happy Hour at The Quarters on Wednesday, November 6, from 5:30-7:30pm.
Cost is $10 for members and $20 for non-members.
Free Marketing Workshop: SBS 💻
Do you want to make the most of sales this holiday season? Wheeler Digital invites Downtown Roanoke businesses to an informative Zoom session. Learn how to maximize your efforts and hit record sales this Small Business Saturday. The workshop covers:
Content creation strategies
Optimizing online presence
Utilizing analytics
Engagement tactics
Targeted advertising
Wednesday, Oct 23rd | 12-1pm | FREE to attend
Learn from Peers and Pros
Join the Salem-Roanoke County Chamber at The Hotel Roanoke on Thursday, October 24th for an evening of networking, camaraderie, and opportunities.
Be sure to bring your business card to the Business After Hours for a chance to win enticing prizes in a raffle draw!
Elevate Your Business: Conference 📝
November 7-8 | Freedom First Credit Union (207 Bullitt Ave SE)
Are you a business owner looking to take your business to new heights? Or a nonprofit leader ready to double down on your mission and connection with the community?
Elevate is a conference designed to provide local businesses and nonprofits with information, resources, and motivation to generate growth. FFCU will bring you valuable content and engaging speakers. Learn new tactics to implement in your business or nonprofit and make valuable connections with other business owners and leaders in the community.
Elevate has general and breakout sessions designed around Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Women and Minority-Owned Businesses.
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 October 21 - 27.
Straight Street Youth Night on Friday, 10/25 & Saturday, 10/26 from 4pm - 11pm
Closure: Luck Ave between 3rd St and 4th St
Boo Bash on Friday, 10/25to Saturday, 10/26 on Market St between Salem Ave and Campbell Ave
Martin’s Halloween Street Party on 1st St between Church Ave and Luck Ave on Saturday, 109/26 and Sunday, 10/27
Dr. Pepper Day on Thursday, 10/24 at Market Square
Fork-O-Ween on Saturday,10/26 and Sunday, 10/27 on Market St between Salem Ave and Campbell Ave
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!