Local Businesses

Businesses in Roanoke celebrate their anniversaries.

No advertising pro in Roanoke knows the stark contrasts between that industry’s Golden Age and its current Gut Check Time better than Sharon Rapoport.

Founder/CEO Bonz Hart has overcome our “not a metropolis” identity by using things like $60,000 starting salaries, the lure of the mountains and opening regional offices in Houston, Dubai, Asia and Europe.

Despite a (slowish) recovery, this isn’t the economy where you charge into the boss’ office to demand a better health care policy, the freedom to work from home or Cheetos in the vending machine...

Area business owners and the economic development organizations that support and nurture them agree that the keys to success are careful planning, taking advantage of advice and moving slowly.

As a teen, our shopping writer sent passionate letters to Gap, Inc. demanding a store in Roanoke. These days she wonders about her former obsession, and spends most of her shopping dollars in the valley’s many local shops. Here are 25.

It’s an economic development tool and an emotionally explosive topic; it’s “easy and fast” and it keeps you “driving around the block till hell freezes over.”

Before you go to Zappos.com for new sneakers, consider how local businesses like Fleet Feet Sports are impacting our community for the better.

The dream of a place where adults with significant disabilities can come to build friendships and participate in an active community is steadily becoming a reality.