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- Business News - September 17
Business News - September 17
FREE Coffee Tomorrow ☕️
Joya Garris
September 17, 2024
Have you started planning for the holidays? We’re less than 100 days away from Christmas. Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Small Business Saturday are even closer. Today’s newsletter has a couple of items to help you prepare.
Today’s Top Three:
Get your morning started the right way— with a free cup of coffee! Don’t miss tomorrow’s event.
The annual Henry Street Heritage Festival takes over downtown this Saturday.
Help us welcome a new business: First Bank!
Keep reading to stay informed!
- Joya Garris, Community Engagement and Communications Manager
Get Involved
Attend the Henry Street Heritage Festival
The Henry Street Heritage Festival is a community event featuring an array of diverse regional and national live entertainment, educational forums, and exposure to African-American heritage. Enjoy a day full of performing arts, crafts, cuisines, customs, merchandise, art, and children’s activities. The fun kicks off at noon at Elmwood Park on Saturday, September 21st!
Proceeds support the ongoing programs and operations of the Harrison Museum of African American Culture.
Night Market Rescheduled
Due to a scheduling conflict, last week’s evening craft and vendor market was not feasible. It has been rescheduled for Saturday, September 28th, 4-8pm on The Historic City Farmer’s Market.🎨 We will have 30+ craft & retail vendors, along with some regular Farmer's Market vendors setting up for an extended day to fulfill your shopping needs.
Vend at Dickens of a Christmas 🎄
It’s hard to believe we’re already accepting vendor and parade applications for Dickens of a Christmas 2024! Dickens takes place on the first three Friday nights in December. We need vendors for all three nights, so please complete the application below if you want to participate!
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Schedule:
December 6, 6pm - 10pm: Featuring The City of Roanoke Christmas Tree Lighting
December 13, 6pm - 10pm: Featuring The City of Roanoke Christmas Parade presented by Ridge View Bank
December 20, 6pm - 10pm: Featuring the Roanoke Valley SPCA Pet Costume Contest
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Stay Informed
Get a FREE Coffee Tomorrow!
We want employees working in the Downtown Roanoke Service District to know how much we appreciate them. On September 18th, from 7am to 10am, downtown employees can get a free small cup of coffee when they show their badge or business card at a participating location.
Participating locations (so far):
Cello Coffee House & Cafe
Crumbles
Little Green Hive
Mill Mountain Coffee
Starbucks on Franklin Rd
Starbucks at the Bridges
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First Bank Operating Downtown!
Naturally, First Bank believes that there’s power in one. You make a better world one person at a time. And you build a better bank one satisfied customer at a time. Your unique wants and needs drive First Bank to be different, better, and a cut above the rest. They’re one bank that’s both individualized and highly innovative. Large enough to offer everything you desire, but small enough to know you by name. |  |
Ribbon Cutting
Join the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce and community leaders on September 24th at 9am for FirstBank’s ribbon cutting. Meet leadership and tour the facility at the new branch downtown (310 First St SE, Roanoke VA 24011).
The Gift Guide Returns 🎁
Many of you probably remember the holiday gift guide that Jaime created a few years ago. We’re happy to announce that we’re bringing it back this season! The guide is published around the end of November to coincide with Black Friday and Small Business Saturday.
The categories are listed below so you can get a head start on planning. We haven’t confirmed our photoshoot days yet, but we will let you know the deadlines as we approach November.
Categories:
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Please reach out to Joya with questions.
Gain Knowledge
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.
Holiday Sales Prediction
We’ve all kept tabs on the economy. How much disposable income do consumers have to spend? Will they use it for holiday shopping? In this Retail Brew article, the author expects spending to increase around the holidays, as usual. It just might not increase as much compared to last year. Additionally, businesses should focus more on online sales to complement in-person purchasing.
Retailers who focus on building loyalty and trust with consumers could be well-positioned for success.
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 16 - 22.
Straight Street Youth Night on Friday, 9/20 & Saturday, 9/21 from 4pm - 11pm
Closure: Luck Ave between 3rd St and 4th St
Henry Street Heritage Festival on Saturday, 9/21 at Elmwood Park and nearby streets
Closures: Franklin Rd between Jefferson St and Williamson Rd, and Jefferson between Day Ave and Franklin Rd
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!