Published by The Roanoke Star-Sentinel
May 8-14, 2009 Edition
Where’s the Growth in the Valley?
Look at Bonsack, Botetourt
Despite the current complex economic challenges, both the Bonsack area of north Roanoke County and the suburbs of southern Botetourt County continue to experience growth – retail, residential and industrial. The largest Kroger in Virginia west of Richmond opened its doors as the first retailer to occupy Kroger Square at Bonsack (US 460) in July of last year. The store features 84,000 sq.ft., with a sushi station, drive-through pharmacy and a fuel center in front of the store.
The $20 million plus development at Kroger Square at Bonsack also includes 21,000 square feet of retail space for shops, restaurants, and out-parcels. Several of those spaces have been rented by tenants including: Q Nails, Ntelos, a state ABC store, Subway, Great Clips, Café Asia, and Anytime Fitness.
Café Asia is an eatery with a menu including Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Japanese dishes including sushi. Anytime Fitness is a co-ed adult only (age 18 and over) fitness facility with 24-hour access. Opening last January, membership is currently at 305 members. Owners Dwight and Shirley Ward said that their business is family run; Dwight Ward is a certified personal trainer and their sons help out. Members can use their key fob to access approximately 1,000 other clubs throughout the United States.
According to leasing agent Millie Moore, Dollar City Plus will be opening July 1. Plans are also in the works for Valley Bank to build its ninth branch at Kroger Square.
There has been industrial growth as well. Arkay Packaging Corporation, located in East Park Commerce Center Facility near Bonsack, has completed its $11 million expansion. The third-generation, family-owned business provides folding cartons to some of the most recognized companies in the world, including cosmetic, beauty aids, fragrance and pharmaceutical industries. The company’s major customers have included Chanel, Estée Lauder, Mary Kay, and Procter & Gamble.
Eye Care & Surgery and Blue Ridge Optical are relocating from their Troutville office to 33 British Woods Drive, which is located across from Carilion Botetourt Athletic Club on Alternate Rte 220, just across the line from Botetourt and Roanoke County. The relocation includes an expansion to a new six-exam room facility and an additional doctor will be joining the practice. Eye Care & Surgery will begin seeing patients at the new location on June 1, and a grand opening is planned for June 13.
They’re even coming to Botetourt from some notable vacation spots: Owner/Operator, Sean Geoghegan has opened Head to Toe Massage inside the Botetourt Athletic Club off of US 220 Alt. South, at 105 Summerfield Court. He started his career at The Sanderling Resort & Spa on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, which was voted the 38th Top Resort in the Mainland of the United States by readers of Conde Nast Travel. A nationally Certified Massage Therapist with a license from the Board of Nursing in Virginia and an active member of the American Massage Therapist Association (AMTA), Geoghegan began his practice in 2002. He relocated to Roanoke in 2006. Head to Toe Massage specializes in Swedish, Deep Tissue, Stone and Prenatal massage. Free child care, a therapy pool, a steam room and access to the Botetourt Athletic Club are included with services.
Izumi Japanese Steak House & Sushi Bar opened in March; owner Michael Guo set up shop in a building that previously was occupied by The Fried Pickle on Alternate Rt 220 adjacent to Down Home Pharmacy.
Still under construction, Daleville Towne Center will be Botetourt’s largest commercial development, according to David Moorman, Deputy County Administrator for Botetourt County. It is a commercial/residential mixed-use community applying “smart-growth” strategies to decrease reliance on vehicular transportation and to create a strong sense of place and community.
Karen Waldron, CEO at Fralin & Waldron, said it is anticipated that the first office/retail building at Daleville Towne Center (DTC) will be completed in time for Fralin & Waldron to relocate its headquarters from Roanoke into the second floor of the 30,000 square feet building, located at the corner of US 220 and Glebe Road, in July.
Fralin & Waldron already has two prospective tenants for the first floor of the building. While the project has been delayed somewhat by the economy, Waldron said, “it really has been a mixed blessing,” because the additional time has allowed them to better evaluate designs.
Daleville Town Center is a traditional neighborhood district (TND), and is the first TND in Southwestern Virginia. A TND is a mixed-use development that combines residential, business, retail, civic and other uses in order to create a pedestrian-friendly, town-like atmosphere. With a village of shops and restaurants and an expansive park space at its center, the property will feature 300 residences, including multi-family complexes and up to 400,000 square feet of commercial space.
The Four-Square Model Home located on Old Catawba Road in Daleville is under construction and will be completed within two months. Four additional designs to be offered for residential properties within the complex. (see dalevilletownecenter.com).
Across US 220 from Daleville Town Center is the new Orchard Marketplace development, where a Food Lion and Carilion’s new medical clinic and imaging center will be locating. A dentist office also plans to locate there and other out-parcels remain.
Bank of Fincastle Vice President, Claire Ferguson said the bank has constructed a building beside its Daleville Branch Bank, and the 6,000-square-foot two-story structure was fully rented before construction began. Tenants include John Alderson Insurance Agency, ReMax Allstars, and Colonial Title.
There are new places to eat in the area, which often attracts Roanokers looking perhaps for a new home or a less harried way of life. After renovations, Blue Collar Joe’s opened in October, located in what was formerly a Citgo Station on US 220 in Daleville. This eatery is primarily carry out and the menu items available include donuts, coffee, sandwiches, ice cream, and smoothies.
Plans are still in the works to open Teaberry’s Restaurant in an older home dating back to 1842 in Daleville. It is located north of Kroger and across the street from the proposed development called “The Shops at Cedar Ridge.” The Teaberry’s Restaurant in Cloverdale was closed last spring and owner Lisa Janney Is currently operating Teaberry’s Café at 129 E. Cleveland Avenue in Vinton. Zoning issues and conditions related to an older structure must be worked out first.
Janney’s well known catering operation is also located at the Vinton location. Her catering operation is also located at the Vinton location. She plans to keep that shop open even after the Teaberry’s Restaurant in Daleville opens. Janney anticipates the Daleville location to have a maximum seating capacity of 118, with seven distinct dining areas and a full bar.
Development plans were submitted in September 2008 for The Shops at Cedar Ridge to be located at 1176 Roanoke Road in Daleville. The plans include 10,000 square feet composed of ten (10) retail shops to be located near Bellacino’s and construction is dependent upon Botetourt Properties, LLC’s success at pre-leasing.
The Pomegranate opened in November at the old wine warehouse on Stoney Battery Road off US 11 and southeast of the Bank of Botetourt. Patrons have the opportunity to order from a tapas menu, along with a dinner menu, and the restaurant has a wine bar and wine lounge. For more specifics, visit pomegranateva.com or call 966-6052.
Located at 3200 Lee Highway South across from Cracker Barrel, the new Holiday Inn Express opened in April.
Dan Mays and his twin brother John expanded their business, Twin City Outfitters, in 2004 by purchasing James River Basin Canoe Livery and relocating the business from Rockbridge County to 653 Lowe Street in Buchanan. They are in the process of renovations and will be opening a 5-room inn in downtown Buchanan in June.
Located one block from the canoe livery, each room will have a different theme and the rack room per night will range from $79-$99 per night depending on the room and season. Dan Mays commented that the inn will be a “nice perk” for tourists who want to do a canoe trip on the Maury or the Upper James Rivers. For more specifics, call (540) 261-7334.
Located at 8505 Roanoke Road, Fincastle, a new Dollar General Store opened in Fincastle in September and is located near the Fincastle Fire Department and Botetourt Mulch & Landscaping.
Industrial business growth: According to David Moorman, Lite-Steel Technologies America (profiled previously in the Star-Sentinel) purchased an existing steel manufacturing facility, modernized it, installed a rail spur, and launched its product at a trade show in Las Vegas in January. It began producing product in March. The Australian manufacturer produces lightweight steel beams for the residential and light commercial construction markets. Their location in Troutville is the company’s first North American manufacturing location. To date, the company has created 21 jobs toward its target of 55 and has exceeded its investment target.
On May 26, the Board of Supervisors will consider a rezoning on US 220 Alternate for a new Southern States store to be located in Troutville. If approved, this would be an expansion for the current Southern States store located in downtown Troutville, which sells primarily to large farm operations. The new Southern States store would be geared more toward the suburban farmer.
Previously located in Roanoke, Southeastern Freight built a new terminal in Simmons Industrial Park on Simmons Drive last year in Cloverdale. Southeastern Freight has been in business for 65 years. The terminal serves the Roanoke, Lynchburg, and Wytheville areas. Where’s the growth in the valley? Just look towards Bonsack and Botetourt.
By: Susan Ayers
