Splendid local shops and well-anchored malls form the outer edges of a market that continues to build and to surprise with its bounty and variety of shopping.
Note: The story below is an excerpt from our Jan./Feb. 2015 issue. For the full story download our FREE iOS app or view our digital edition for FREE today!
Shopping in the Roanoke Region can be both fun and challenging. Fun, because the area has a strong collection of unique spots selling everything from hot fashions to fly fishing tackle and trendy cookware. The challenge comes with finding those places because many are tucked away like hidden treasures.
Shopping destinations reside in two large malls, strip malls (often home to unusual shops) and specialty shops in downtown Roanoke or near neighborhood villages, plus a couple of spots well off the beaten path.
The Malls
Valley View, near the Blacksburg-Roanoke Regional Airport off I-581, and Tanglewood, on Electric Road where Roanoke and Roanoke County lines meet, are the local/regional malls. Macy’s and Belk anchor Valley View. Here, too, are such national names as Eddie Bauer, Loft, Old Navy and two welcome newcomers, H&M (Hennes & Mauritz) with its European-influenced fashion, and Francesca’s, an accessory and gift boutique.
H&M shoppers are finding different looks at really nice prices. Also important is the shop’s respectable section for larger-size women. Francesca’s purses (and their prices) are especially appealing, and it is a good spot for fun seasonal items.
Belk, a regional chain, is the major presence at Tanglewood Mall, near the Roanoke City-southwest Roanoke County line. Here, too, are TJ Maxx and JCPenney, along with Bath and Body Works. Both malls have Barnes & Noble bookstores.
The Strip Centers
The strip malls houses many of the region’s specialty shops. The largest collection can be found at Towers Shopping Center on Colonial Avenue in Roanoke, one of the oldest centers in the area and now one of its most vibrant.
Christy’s women’s shop with current fashion at modest prices, the Gone Coco haven for flax lovers, A Little Bit Hippy’s throwback charm and the newly renovated Bush Flora Shoes are clustered near Piety, with over-the-top pies. All are locally owned, as is Present Thyme on the center’s outer edge, which combines designer home furnishings, gifts and clothing.
Grand Pavilion, across from Tanglewood Mall, gets its name from its main occupant, Grand Home Furnishings. Here, too, are a second location for Davidson’s menswear, the upscale Frances Kahn women’s boutique, and Provisions and RSVP’s kitchenware and gifts.
Promenade Park, 3550 Electric Road, hosts a variety of stores including Wine Gourmet and Joran’s Interiors.
The Shoppes at West Village and West Village Shopping Center, 3549 and 3565 Electric Road, Roanoke, have retail and restaurants, and are across from Promenade Park.
Towne Square, near Valley View Mall and the airport, houses some of the popular national names – Sam’s Club, Marshalls and Bed, Bath and Beyond. Also on site is Ginger’s Jewelry, owned by local resident Ginger Mumpower.
The Forum, on Starkey Road, has an accumulation of stores ranging from the area’s only furrier, Henri Kessler Furs and Outerwear, to Jos. A Bank, Chico’s and Talbots national names, and the regional and local shops Yarid’s shoes and Blue Mountain Gems Designer Jewelry.
Downtown Roanoke
Downtown Roanoke entices shoppers with a variety of spots that include Davidsons for men and La De Da for women. Owner Larry Davidson’s addition of Jacks Men’s Fine Grooming and Valet Services only enhanced his downtown location’s broad offerings of hand-tailored clothes, including dress shirts, as well as off-the-rack top names for men.
With La De Da’s offbeat collection of clothing, shoes, accessories and home items, it’s practically impossible to leave the shop empty-handed. And don’t miss the quirky Appalachia Press on Salem Ave.
Valley-Wide Shopping Highlights
Clothing
Alligator Alley, The Corners Shopping Center, Bernard Drive, for a Lacoste and Sperry fix. 540-552-4287
Cindi’s Touch of Class, 116 E. Lee Ave, Vinton, is a spot for classy items at manageable prices. 540-857-0200
Davidson’s has two locations, downtown Roanoke and Grand Pavilion, 4235 Electric Road. Brands include Oxxford, Southwick, Hart Schaffner & Marx, and Michael Kors. Downtown: 412 South Jefferson St., 540-343-3734; Grand Pavilion: 540-774-1644
Frances Kahn, 4235 Electric Road (Grand Pavilion), a boutique where shoppers find upscale brands and designs sizes 2-14; Lafayette 148 and Vince sportswear and Magaschoni cashmere can be found here. 540-989-8151.
La De Da, 102 Church Ave SE in downtown Roanoke, offers such brands as True Grit, Cutloose, Cmc/Click, Frye, Old Gringo, Dansko and OTBT, among many other attractions, including home items; a must-buy place. 540-345-6131
Leatherhaus, Valley View Mall, all things leather and western wear; opened in the area in 1975. 540-767-1203
Plantagenet Rose Interiors and Gift Boutique, 16 S College Ave, Salem, houses The Bird Cage clothing and accessory boutique’s lines include Roxanne Kelley Designs, Sucre Soir, Synergy Organics, Latico Leathers. 540-556-2421
Punch, 3117 Franklin Road (Picadilly Square), considers itself a spot for granddaughter, daughter and grandmother with a broad selection of upscale wear from ruana wraps to shoes and handbags and bathing suits; find Lily Pulitzer dresses and Joules outerwear here.
Toad’ly Kids Boutique, quartered in a former house at 2130 Colonial Ave SW, appears as unique as its offerings, which include clothes for infants to older children, custom crib bedding and a photography studio. 540-774-7282
vivendi boutique, 3555 Electric Road, Suite C, at West Village Shopping Center, bills itself as “trendy, fun and expressive,” and it is. 540-772-4308
310 Rosemont, at 312 Market Street in downtown Roanoke, is a contemporary boutique with emphasis on denim. 540-345-5326
Jewelry
Blue Mountain Gems Designer Jewelry, The Forum on Starkey Road, offers handcrafted jewelry designed by Alan and Christina O’Hara, who find their inspirations from nature. Work is done on-site. 540-776-0039
F. Geoffrey Ltd. Jewelers, 1919 Westover Ave SW, Roanoke. Geoff Jennings, the third generation in the business, has a variety of inventory but specializes in custom orders; unique in the shop are star motif pieces from a Boston design group. Shop is open two days a week and by appointment. 540-345-8881
Fink’s, locally owned chain, has a shop at Valley View Mall and its flagship store at 3545 Electric Road. Brands include the Fink’s diamond along with Yurman, Ippolito, Mikimoto, Rolex, Movado and Tag Heuer. 540-345-8881
Ginger’s Jewelry, Towne Square, just celebrated 30 years of providing a broad range of offerings and prices, making this a good place to find something different without breaking the bank. 540-563-5559
R.M. Johnson & Sons Jewelers last year renovated its quarters at 10 S. College Avenue, Salem, where the founder’s son does custom design and redesign. Broad range of diamond settings.
Shoes
Bush-Flora, Towers Shopping Center, Colonial Avenue, newly remodeled and expanded; men’s and women’s shoes in a broad selection of brands (SAS/ECCO) and for variety of lifestyles; 540-344-7398
Fleet Feet Sports, conspicuous in its array of running and/or walking shoes and its training programs for runners. Catch them, too, handing out refreshments on run days. 4347 Franklin Road, 540-777-1166
Foot Companion, two locations, at 2311-A Colonial Ave. SW (540-904-6566) and Tanglewood Mall (540-904-7823); locally owned business specializing in therapeutic and orthopedic footwear and accessories.
More Than Clothes, a 3-year-old hidden treasure at 291 Arrington Lane off U.S. Alt. 220 in Botetourt County; shoes and accessories at surprising prices and in a broad range of sizes; brands include White Mountain, Clarks, Birkenstock and Sketchers. 540-992-6080
The Cobbler’s Wife, 5207 Bernard Drive, Suite D, near Tanglewood; originally opened to provide variety of shoes for children and now also does the same for women with brands like Nyat, Merrell and Fly London; children’s shoes include Stride Rite, Hanna Andersson and, a new one, Tsukihoshi. 540-400-6589.
Yarid’s, 4714A Starkey Road, in The Forum, has added the ASH brand to its already broad selection that includes Johnston & Murphy, Ramon Tenza, Kate Spade, Rachel Zoe and Toms. 540-266-7750.
Home Furnishings
Joran’s designer Randall Neeley’s showroom in Promenade Park, can be a good source for a special home touch or a decorating idea. 540-774-3711
Grand Home Furnishings, at Grand Pavilion and Valley View Mall; more than 100 years in business with the broadest selection of furniture in the area.
Halifax Fine Furnishings, 4525 Brambleton Ave, Roanoke, has home accessories and furnishings and oriental rugs. 540-774-3060
The Rug, Mattress & Furniture Store, 40 W. Calhoun St., Salem, is a good example of a tucked-away treasure. Its large stock of American-made furniture includes names such as Henkel-Harris and a broad grouping of Amish furniture. Rugs are prominent here, too, including Karastan and Capel. 540-387-0946
Reid’s Fine Furnishings, 1324 Grandin Rd SW, Roanoke, specializes in Stickley and Ekornes Stressless brands. 540-342-1844
Music
Fret Mill Music Co., 21 Salem Avenue, downtown Roanoke, stocks bluegrass instruments along with Martin and Taylor guitars and amplifiers and conducts on-site lessons. 540-982-6686
Kelley’s Music, 3335 Brambleton Ave, Roanoke, has expansive displays of guitars and amplifiers and those many little items musicians are always hunting. 540-989-9232
Antiques, Gifts
Birdy’s Loft, inside Center in the Square at 1 Market Square in downtown Roanoke, is not really a loft because it’s on the first floor. It can be a trip into the delightful past, however, through vintage jewelry, home items and consignment pieces. 540-354-9254
Calhoun & Kipp, 216 Market St SE, downtown Roanoke, has items that will make you smile or go “ahhh” as they represent work from around the world and that of U.S. and Virginia artists from painted roosters to vases and Christmas ornaments; a good spot for gift shopping or finding that different home accessory. 540-985-9191
WillowPod Provisions & Gifts, Daleville Town Center, Roanoke Road, Botetourt County, has pulled together a most unusual selection that includes jewelry, bath and body items, candies and accessories. 540-992-3200
Food, Sweets and More
Baylee’s Best Chocolates, 3549 Electric Rd Suite D, Roanoke, fun and tasty chocolates from a staff that’s always experimenting. 540-776-0032
chocolatepaper, 308-3 Market Street, downtown Roanoke, City Market (540-342-6061) and The Shoppes at West Village, 3565-C Electric Road SW. (540-989-7025); sweets, gifts, paper and gift baskets, including a Virginia basket.
Heritage Family Market, 26 Botetourt Road, Fincastle; Amish food items, including cheeses, baked goods, spices. 540-473-2917
Ikenberry Orchards & Country Store, 2557 Roanoke Rd., Daleville, stocks local apples, locally made apple butter, and foodstuffs, as well as many gift items. 540-992-2441
Mr. Bill’s Wine Cellar, 2825 Brambleton Ave, Roanoke, many opportunities to sample local wine. 540-400-7771
Piety, 2073 Colonial Ave., Towers, sells delicious and decadent pies; 540-904-7439; owners also have Bubblecake Bake Shop at 2123 Crystal Spring Ave SW, Roanoke. 540-343-2253
Roanoke Natural Foods Coop, 319 Grandin Rd SW (540-343-5652) and also in downtown Roanoke (540-904-2733) at Center in the Square, operates a café and specialty grocery along with health products and gift areas. 540-343-5652
Tinnell’s Finer Foods, 2205 Crystal Spring Ave., Roanoke; specialty grocery store with extensive wine selection and prepared-on-site foods. 540-345-7334
Wine Gourmet, 3524 Electric Rd, Roanoke, broad selection of wines and beers enhanced by expert advice and seminars. 540-400-8466
The Candy Store, 122 Campbell Ave. SE, Downtown Roanoke, displays more than 1,000 different candy choices so customers can mix and match and boasts area’s largest collection of chocolate bars—more than 350 varieties. 540-904-5580
Local Ice Cream
HITS, 1115 Piedmont St SE, near the Roanoke River Greenway, is open April-mid-November offering as many as 34 flavors of luscious homemade ice cream. 540-427-1077
Homestead Creamery’s headquarters store between Roanoke and Smith Mountain Lake (7254 Booker T Washington Hwy, Wirtz) is well worth the trip, but its ice cream and milk (in returnable bottles) are sold through Roanoke Valley merchants. 540-721-2045
Outdoors
Backcountry Ski & Sport, 1931 Apperson Dr, Salem, is the go-to ski store, but don’t overlook the kayaks available too. 540-389-8602
Orvis, 19 Campbell Avenue, Market Square, Roanoke, has been known to hold “Brew-Tie” events where you can have a beer and tie some flies for the next fishing trip; find the usual appealing Orvis items. 540-345-3635
Outdoor Trails, Botetourt Commons, Troutville, (U.S. Route 220-N, Roanoke Road) even fixes gear and provides advice for thru-hikers from the nearby Appalachian Trail; offerings include Patagonia, The North Face, Outdoor Research, Mountain Hardwear, Marmot. 540-992-5850.
Walkabout Outfitters, 301 Market Street, Downtown Roanoke, and Valley View Mall, carries the usual basics for outdoors – tents, shoes, clothing – as well as all of the little accessories that make planning an outing so much fun. 540-777-2727 (downtown); 540-777-0990 (mall)
Biking
Cardinal Bikes, 2901 Orange Ave NE., Roanoke, has gear for all levels of skills and all ages. 540-344-2453
Eastcoasters, 3224 Brambleton Ave, Roanoke, sells and repairs bikes (Trek, Salsa, Electra) and runs a mountain biking program for youngsters. 540-774-7933
Underdog Bikes, 1113 Piedmont St. SE, Roanoke, just off the Roanoke River Greenway, sells and rents Scott bikes, including tandems, and also kids trailers; offers repairs. 540-204-4276
Starlight Bicycles, 1502 Grandin Rd SW, Roanoke, is a place for very serious bikers. The shop has introduced its own frames named for area climbs and rides – the first, Starlight Peakwood for a solid climb in South Roanoke. 540-400-6684
Specialty
Dance: Dance Etc., 360 E. Virginia Ave., Vinton; just what its name implies; everything for the dance student. 540-345-6232
Kitchen Hardware
Provisions Gourmet and RSVP Shop at 4235 Electric Road, Roanoke, is a hangout for gourmands. Not only can you find the area’s broadest choice of cookware and gadgets, but its companion shop RSVP can provide you with the custom invitations for your party, the hostess apron to wear. If you sign up for its email, you get recipes and instructions for cooking. 540-857-5888
Fabric
Second Yard, 2211 Crystal Spring Ave. S.W., Roanoke, decorator fabrics, furniture and accessories; 540-344-1308
Pets
Nature’s Emporium, 3912 Brambleton Ave., Roanoke: Love your pet, love this store because you can find the “something different” in pet accessories along with quality pet food and health items. That’s just one side of the store; the other houses gift items and garden accessories not readily available elsewhere. 540-989-7735
Swimwear
The Swim Shop, 3214 Electric Rd #108, Roanoke, something for the water for all ages and sizes; 540-774-2066
Yarn
Mosaic Knit Shop (3117 Franklin Road, Suite 5, Piccadilly Square) has interesting displays of ideas for knitted items for children – done by owner Gina Bonomo of Blacksburg, who owns the shop and does original designs. Also here are Kismet Fiber Works yarn hand-dyed in Botetourt County and Cestari yarn, produced in Churchville; knitting nights and classes. 540-685-2285
Consignment/Second-Hands
Hidden Treasures Consignment Boutique, 109 E. Main Street, Salem; women’s, men’s and teens’ clothing, jewelry and accessories. 540-375-8333
Once Upon a Child, 4092 Electric Rd., Roanoke; kids’ stuff for all seasons. 540-774-3639
Plato’s Closet, 4078 Electric Rd., Roanoke, clothes, shoes, accessories for teens and young adults. 540-265-1144
Discovery Shop, 3723 Franklin Rd SW, Roanoke, sells clothing, accessories and gift items donated to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Really good bargains. 540-345-2572
2nd Helpings, 1502 Williamson Road, Roanoke near downtown, combines a resale shop for clothing, furniture and accessories with an art gallery and a café; sales benefit Roanoke Valley Rescue Mission programs for the homeless. 540-491-9405
National-Class Outlier
Black Dog Architectural Salvage, 902 13th St SW, Roanoke, exciting enough to have been on DIY TV’s “The Salvage Dawgs”; vintage and whimsical items from all over the world in a delightfully re-purposed warehouse, plus shops within the shop featuring hand-crafted or repurposed items.540-343-6200
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