Business News - October 8

I'm currently away on my honeymoon until October 14th! 🏖️ This week's newsletter has been prepared in advance, so I apologize if I’ve missed anything. For any immediate assistance, please reach out to Izzy Post.

Today’s Top Three:

• Make sure to attend RPD’s holiday meeting TOMORROW to keep your business safe this season!

• Mingle with downtown professionals at a networking event.

• Learn about Curry Copy in this week’s business feature.

Keep reading to stay informed!  

- Joya Garris, Community Engagement and Communications Manager

Get Involved

Donate Blood and Save Lives 🩸 

Wednesday, October 9th | 11am - 6pm | Market Square

Join us in Market Square for a Blood Drive with The Blood Connection! Saving lives in Fang-tastic this October! (See what we did there?)

Appointments for donation are not required but are encouraged.

Join RPD for Holiday Crime Prevention 🎄 👮 

You’re invited to the Roanoke Police Department’s holiday crime prevention meeting at the Berglund Center on Wednesday, October 9th, 6-8pm. Prepare for the holiday season and learn how to keep your business safe.

Call for Dickens Vendors! 🎄

Our Downtown Retailer Application is now available!

Downtown Roanoke Inc. encourages your business to join in the fun! 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 until 10:00 p.m. each night of Dickens (Dec. 6, 13, and 20). 

• DRI will also list your giveaway if you provide one. 

If you are located away from the festivities and would like to participate, Downtown Retailers are invited at a reduced rate!

We must have applications by October 21^st, 2024.

Downtown Candy Crawl

Join us for Macaroni Kid’s Downtown Candy Crawl on Saturday, October 26th, from 10 AM to Noon. Trick-or-treaters will be out in full force, with participating businesses handing 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 of your physical location during the event.

Prepare for a crowd—last year, we welcomed 377 families (over 800 kids!), and this year promises to be even bigger. Make sure to stock up on plenty of goodies!

Downtown Employee Costume Contest

Goblins, ghouls, and ghosts are just a few outfit options for this year’s Downtown Employee Halloween Costume Contest on Thursday, October 31st at 12pm! Compete for CASH prizes and show off your creativity in Market Square. 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.

Submit Your Events to the Calendar

Do you want to be included in our Halloween Happenings feature post? Then make sure your event is submitted to our calendar. We need as many details as possible (date, time, location, activities, etc.).

Specials and sales can be submitted here.

Stay Informed

Get ready for the Go Outside Festival

GO Fest is an annual three-day celebration of everything outdoors in Virginia’s Blue Ridge that brings thousands of visitors to Roanoke. The event features live music, beer, demo pools, BMX stunt shows, lumberjack demos, climbing walls, a silent disco, a highline slackline, and loads of outdoor vendors and exhibitors.

Don’t miss this action-packed weekend downtown!

Featuring Curry Copy

Gain Knowledge & Network

Get Social

Get2KnowNoke’s quarterly social will be hosted in Freedom First Credit Union’s beautifully remodeled corporate headquarters (across the street from Elmwood Park) from 5:30-7:30pm on Friday, October 18th during GO Fest!

The networking event will include snacks and drinks provided by Freedom First, a pro bike stunt show, giveaways at 6:30pm, and MORE.

All Get2KnowNoke’s quarterly socials are FREE to attend, but you must join the talent network.

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!

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 7 - 13.

• Straight Street Youth Night on Friday, 10/11 & Saturday, 10/12 from 4pm - 11pm

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

• Lovers & Friends: A Night of R&B on Friday, 10/11 at Elmwood Park

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.

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