Business News - September 23

🎄 Holiday Events & A New Business ✨

Author

Joya Garris
September 23, 2025

Happy Tuesday!

I’ll be at the International Downtown Association’s annual conference for the remainder of the week, and I’m taking a much needed vacation next week. That means all of my newsletters will be written in advance. Please make sure you submit any events and specials to our website ASAP if you want to be included in the Weekly Drop.

Today’s Top Three:

  • Let your customers know about nearby parking options to encourage them to visit your business.

  • Register for Small Business Saturday!

  • We’re creating a rundown of all the Halloween fun happening in Downtown Roanoke. Don’t forget to submit your events to our calendar.

Bonus: Blue Ridge Bodega is open for business!

Keep reading to stay informed!  

- Joya Garris, Director of Marketing & Communications

Get Involved

Tell Your Customers Where to Park! 🅿️ 

We recently noticed a business sharing a clear, helpful parking list for their store. This is a great example of how making parking information simple can encourage customers to visit downtown and support local businesses. (If this was your idea, major props!)

We created an example for the Farmer’s Market. This only features PARK Roanoke lots and garages, but you can list private parking options, too.

Click here to see an another way to show parking options.

Halloween Happenings Needed 🎃 

We’ve started receiving calls and messages about Halloween, so we’re writing a feature post (blog) about Halloween Happenings in Downtown Roanoke, like we do most years. Let’s promote those events and drive traffic to your businesses!

Please submit any Halloween events to our events calendar, which recently received a makeover to make it easier for visitors to find events.

Small Business Saturday Registration 🛍️ 

Small Business Saturday is on Saturday, November 29 in Downtown Roanoke! DRI always signs up to be an official neighborhood champion. Once we receive our welcome kit, we will provide you with official SBS marketing materials! Join us promoting downtown shopping!

Stay Informed

Blue Ridge Bodega is Now Open!

Blue Ridge Bodega is officially open at 108 Market Street SE. Bodegas are small, independent convenience stores serving hot and prepared food. While BRB is still working to get the hot and prepared food portion of the business up and running, they already have all the convenience items you need.

Listed hours are Monday-Saturday: 8am - 10pm, Sunday: 9am-9pm. Inside, you’ll find everything from your basic essentials to snacks & drinks.

Holiday Market ❄️ 

Friday, November 14, 2025 | 5pm-8pm

After the Sidewalk Sale, we received several requests for another shopping day to help increase foot traffic. We’re organizing an evening Holiday Market and a Toys-for-Tots toy drive with a special guest (to be announced)! We ask businesses to remain open later than usual on this day. More details and registration link to come. Stay tuned.

Gift Guide Returns 🎁 

DRI’s holiday gift guide will return again this holiday season to help small businesses promote their products. Start thinking about which items you want us to feature. Click here to check out last year’s gift guide.

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

  • Restaurants

  • Holiday Events

Are there other sections you’d like to see? Email Joya your suggestions.

Ambassador Update

The Downtown Roanoke Ambassador Program celebrated the end of summer by giving out free popsicles in Market Square on Saturday. #hospitality

Gain Knowledge & Network

40 Under 40 Nominations 🗳️

The Roanoker Magazine is now accepting nominations for the 40 Under 40 awards! The nomination deadline is midnight on October 5, 2025!

There are countless individuals making waves in their industries. Let Roanoke know all about the next generation of community leaders. Nominate someone today for consideration in the 40 Under 40 Awards in Roanoker Magazine’s upcoming January/February 2026 issue!

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 September 15-21.

  • Straight Street Youth Night on Friday, 9/19 and Saturday, 9/20 on Luck Ave SW between 3rd St and 4th St

  • Martin's 20th Anniversary Street Party on Saturday, 9/27 on 1st St SW, between Luck Ave and Church Ave

  • Star City Strong Fest on Saturday, 9/27 at Elmwood Park

  • Private Wedding on Saturday, 9/27 at Century Plaza

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!