Business News - October 28th

🛍️ Prepare for Holiday Shopping: Small Biz Sat & Gift Guide 🎁

Author

Joya Garris
October 28, 2025

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Top Three:

  • Halloween is Friday! To celebrate, we’re hosting a Downtown Employee Halloween Costume Contest!

  • The holiday gift guide photoshoot is November 11th & 12th. Instructions for businesses are listed below.

  • Don’t forget to register for Small Business Saturday!

Bonus: The “Gain Knowledge & Network” section is back with several options for you to meet new people.

Keep reading to stay informed!  

- Joya Garris, Director of Marketing & Communications

Get Involved

Halloween Costume Contest 🎃 👻 FRIDAY

DRI’s annual Downtown Roanoke Employee Costume Contest returns this Friday, October 31st at 12pm. Dress to impress and compete for cash prizes (and bragging rights).

1st Place - $200, 2nd Place - $100, 3rd Place - $50, & Best Group - $100

This contest is open to all employees within the Downtown Service District. The planned location is Market Square. In the case of inclement weather, we will move inside the City Market Building.

Small Business Saturday Registration 🛍️ 

Small Business Saturday on Saturday, November 29, is quickly approaching in Downtown Roanoke! Need help promoting the event and/or shopping small? American Express has your back with downloadable assets. Whether you’re seeking general marketing materials or industry-specific (retail, dining, beauty), there’s something for every small business owner.

15 businesses have registered for Small Business Saturday so far. Restaurants are also encouraged to sign up and offer discounts. Let’s promote downtown shopping!

Holiday Gift Guide 🎁 

DRI’s holiday gift guide will return this holiday season to help small businesses promote their products. The guide is open to retailers, restaurants, health and beauty services, and more. We request physical items for inclusion, or gift cards.

Start thinking about which items you want us to feature! Click here to check out last year’s gift guide. The gift guide will be released the week of Black Friday/Small Business Saturday (Nov. 28 & 29).

IMPORTANT:

The photoshoot will occur November 11 & 12! Participating businesses will drop off their items to DRI’s office by 4:30pm on Monday, November 10th, and we will have them professionally photographed. Then, we will return them. Please note: We will have your items for at least 2 days during the photoshoot.

Sections include:

  • Gifts for Her

  • Accessories

  • Gifts for Him

  • Gifts for the Home

  • Food & Beverage

  • Self Care

  • Gifts for Kids

  • Gifts for Pets

  • Gifts Under $20

  • Gift Cards

Nine businesses have expressed interest, including: Mast General Store, The Gift Niche, Roanoke Co+op, Art on 1st, Wyndrose Boutique, Serenity Treasure, Bison Head Cigar Lounge, 310 Rosemont, and Starr Hill Brewery.

Email Joya with questions, comments, and concerns.

Parking Survey 🅿️ 

If you missed last night’s parking workshop, you can still take the survey online! There’s an open ended question at the bottom of the survey where you can write additional comments and provide further insight into your feedback.

Stay Informed

In Case You Missed It 📢 

The Promissory Announced

The historic First National Exchange Bank building at 201 S Jefferson Street is being transformed by Hist:Re Partners into The Promissory Hotel, which will blend hospitality, music, and cuisine. The Promissory will feature a 27-room boutique hotel, The Exchange (a 1,000+ capacity concert hall), and a Spanish-inspired restaurant & wine bar. Anticipated open is January 2026.

Kirk & Soul Soft Launched

Located at 312 2nd St SW, Kirk & Soul is self-described as a fast-casual restaurant that brings together the rich flavors of Soul, American, and Caribbean cuisines. They are having another soft opening this weekend.

The Marigold Coming Soon

Formerly known as The Fallon Florist building, located at 23 Church Ave SW, The Marigold is a new destination in Downtown Roanoke that features a restaurant, an upstairs bar, and a 2-bedroom short term Airbnb rental.

Ambassador Update 💙 

Do you ever see our Downtown Roanoke Ambassadors in action? Send us your photos or use the hashtags #RoanokeAmbassadors and #DRIAmbassadors on social media. 💙

Gain Knowledge & Network

2025 Athena Awards 🏆️ 

November 6th, 11:30am-1pm

The Roanoke Regional Chamber's ATHENA Awards program recognizes and celebrates the achievements of businesswomen across the Roanoke region. The ATHENA Award, an internationally prized honor, recognizes women who demonstrate excellence in professional leadership, community service, and mentorship of future leaders. The Roanoke Regional Chamber will highlight two women at the top of their field, who have demonstrated inspiring leadership within their industry, mentored women throughout their career, and act as dedicated community servants.

Price: $50, registration required

Fall Open House 🍂 

Thursday, November 6th, 4pm-6pm

Explore over 150 degree, licensure, and certificate programs available at the Roanoke Higher Education Center.

Business After Hours at The Vault 🍸️ 

Thursday, November 6th, 4:30pm-6pm

Join the Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce for its November Business After Hours at The Liberty Trust Hotel! Unwind and connect with fellow professionals in one of Roanoke's most stunning venues— a beautifully restored historic bank turned luxury hotel. Enjoy great food, drinks, and networking in a unique and elegant setting.

Free to attend but registration is required.

Get a New Headshot During Happy Hour! 📸 

Thursday, November 20th, 5:30pm-7:30pm

In the era of social media and LinkedIn, first impressions happen long before you step through the door for a job interview or meet with a client. That’s exactly why a professional headshot is more important than ever. Ad 2 Roanoke is proud to host Headshot Happy Hour at The BiblioPub on Thursday, November 20, from 5:30–7:30 PM.unique and elegant setting.

Free to attend but registration is required.

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 28 - November 2.

  • Straight Street Youth Night on Friday, 10/24 and Saturday, 10/25 on Luck Ave SW between 3rd St and 4th St

  • Sidewinders Halloween Hoedown on Friday, 10/31- Sunday, 11/2 on the sidewalk in front of Sidewinder’s building on Campbell

  • Día de los Muertos on Sunday, 11/2 on the sidewalk in front of the Taubman Museum

Additional closures:

  • Drainage Project — Find updates and closures here.

Upcoming Festivals, Concerts, & Events 🎉 

We’ve officially entered festival season! Whether you want to get involved or need to staff your business, mark your calendars for the following festivals and 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!