Grandin Village shop closing

Oct 05, 2008 (The Roanoke Times - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- LOW | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- A Grandin Village paint and hardware shop is shutting its doors, and its demise largely is a result of competition from big-box retailers, said owner Chris Buckland.

A yellow sign advertises a closing sale at Harwood Paint & Wallpaper on Grandin Road in Roanoke.

The sale began last week, and it's unclear how long it will last. Buckland said he's trying to sell most of the store's inventory. Harwood sells Benjamin Moore & Co. paint.

Buckland bought the business three years ago from former owner Allen Board. The store has been at the same location at 1418 Grandin Road S.W. since 1959, Buckland said.

Buckland said neighborhood residents haven't supported the store enough to keep it in business.

"If somebody needs 10 items, they go to Lowe's," he said.

Also, Benjamin Moore's paint prices have jumped three times in the past year, putting a price burden on consumers, Buckland said.

H&C Coffee

H&C Coffee beverages are brewing at a new downtown Roanoke convenience store.

Downtown Corner Store opened last week at 33 Salem Ave., on the bottom level of a parking garage.

With shelves of potato chips, candy, bread, milk and sodas, the corner retailer is situated in a spot where its owners expect to attract downtown employees who park in the garage as well as tenants of the new Hancock apartments across the street.

Kevin Epperly, a partner in the shop, used to own a local Star Valley Minute Mart store. The corner store space has been vacant for the past six years, though it once housed a dry cleaning business, Epperly said.

Elizabeth W. Gift Baskets

The owner of a gift basket business has relocated her enterprise from the city to the country.

In August, Elizabeth Woodson, who owns Elizabeth W. Gift Baskets, an Internet retailer, moved her business from a cramped studio space in New York City to her family's home in Rich Creek in Giles County. Woodson packages gift creations for unique occasions, from organic brunch baskets to a pink break-up bag filled with chocolates.

Formerly a creative director for national gourmet food magazines, Food & Wine and Eating Well, Woodson decided to shift her business to Virginia because she wanted more space. A larger studio space in New York City would be expensive, she said.

With her entrance into the New River Valley, Woodson has expanded her collegiate-themed repertoire, with gift baskets for Virginia Tech and University of Virginia fans. Visit her Web site at www.elizabethwgifttbaskets.com for more information.

Ntelos

Ntelos has opened a new store in Roanoke County, at the Kroger Square at Bonsack off U.S. 460. The wireless service provider also is planning a location at Keagy Village, a retail center under construction in Southwest Roanoke County.

News from the Storefront blog at blogs.roanoke.com/storefront/

n Direct Buy's new store is open in Southwest Roanoke County.

n Agnew Seed's downtown Roanoke store has reopened with limited hours.

n Java the Hutt now is brewing at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital and Virginia Western Community College.

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