Business News - September 9

🎃 Halloween, Parking Meeting, and New Awnings ✨

Author

Joya Garris
September 09, 2025

Happy Tuesday! I hope your coffee is ready because this is a long newsletter.

Today’s Top Three:

  • Halloween will be here before you know it— sign up to participate in Macaroni Kid’s annual Candy Crawl.

  • DRI has several involvement opportunities this winter. Don’t miss our holiday market, Small Business Saturday, or Dickens of a Christmas.

  • Have you noticed anything new on The Historic City Market? The awnings are being replaced as I type!

Bonus: Retailers and restaurants are invited to an exclusive parking study meeting on September 18th.

Keep reading to stay informed!  

- Joya Garris, Director of Marketing & Communications

Get Involved

Parking Study Meeting: Businesses! 🅿️ 

Thursday, September 18th | 9am | Hampton Inn Conference Room

The City of Roanoke is conducting a comprehensive year-long parking study to assess and improve parking downtown. Part of the research includes an exclusive meeting for retailers and restaurants to voice their valuable opinions on Thursday, September 18th at 9am. We encourage you to attend. Please note that the primary focus of this meeting is public parking (PARK Roanoke).

A separate public meeting will be held at a later date.

Halloween Candy Crawl 🎃🍭 

Saturday, October 25, 10am - 12pm

The 6th Annual Downtown Candy Crawl returns, and you’re invited to join the fun. The beloved family tradition fills downtown with hundreds of cute trick-or-treaters. Over 500 families have already registered in advance. Sign up to hand out candy or provide an activity.

Winter Holiday Involvement ❄️ 

The holidays will be here before you know it! Small Business Saturday, Dickens of a Christmas, and more!

Dickens Involvement Opportunities

Sponsorship: A space just opened up to sponsor one of our Dickens activities! If you’re interested, please let me know or email [email protected].

Parade: Applications are available for those wanting to join the parade fun!

Vendors: We’re still looking for a few vendors to line the streets at Dickens. Apply now.

Save the Date(s):

November 14, 2025: After the Sidewalk Sale, we received several requests for another shopping day. 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 on this day from 5pm to 8pm. More details to come.

November 19, 2025: Small Business Saturday encourages visitors to shop local and save.

Stay Informed

Business Equipment Incentive Program ⚙️

On October 1, the City of Roanoke’s Economic Development Authority will open the next round of funding for the Business Equipment Incentive Program, which helps businesses by offering a 50/50 match on eligible equipment purchases.

Funding Details: 

  • Commercial & Retail Sector: Maximum award per business – $5,000

  • Funding can be used for equipment that is taxed as Business Personal Property or subject to the Machinery and Tools Tax.

For eligibility requirements, application information, and frequently asked questions, please click the button below.

Events Calendar Adds Images 📆 

DRI’s event calendar received a much-needed makeover! The page is now image-forward, making it easier than ever for visitors to find events.

To optimize your listings, please:

  • Create graphics or upload images with a 3:2 aspect ratio.

    • Listings may include multiple images. We recommend making the first image a photograph and the second one your graphic/flyer. Listings automatically scroll through the uploaded photos.

    • Listings without images default to the business listing’s photo.

  • Use high-resolution images.

  • Select all applicable categories (free, music, etc.)

Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need help editing an existing listing or adding multiple photos.

A Fresh Look for the Farmer’s Market ✨ 

Replacement of the awnings began this morning! The Center in the Square side is complete and the old awnings were removed from the 202 Social House side. The structure along Market Street will be done in stages beginning next week. The estimated time for completion of the entire project is September 24th.

Ambassador Update 💙 

Downtown Roanoke Ambassadors completed various tasks in August, such as weeding, small sweeps, and cleaning Big Belly Trash Cans.

Happy Anniversary! 🎉 

September is a celebratory time for numerous downtown businesses. Stop by and congratulate them.

  • Big Lick Brewing Co. - 11 years

  • Jack Brown’s - 12 years

  • Market Gallery - 22 years

  • The Candy Store - 12 years

  • The Little Gallery - 37 years

  • Vintage Vault Records - 10 years

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 8-14.

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!