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| Blacksburg Shoppers Welcome First & Main Retail Shops |
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| David Grimes | |
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They came by car, and even a few came by bicycle, but no matter how they got there, a large crowd turned out on Black Friday for the grand opening of the controversial First & Main retail center in Blacksburg.
Even though the stores didn’t officially open until 10 a.m., shoppers started lining up as early as 7:30 a.m. to get one of the money envelopes containing a $5 bill, which were being given to first 2,000 shoppers. Shoppers then matched the serial numbers on some of those bills, which was assigned for various prizes, including gift certificates and shopping sprees donated by the First & Main businesses. Those who were lucky enough to collect the money then visited the First & Main retailers to see if they won one of the many prizes. “This is a fantastic shopping place and so-welled laid out,” said Amanda Griffin, as she stood in line to get her $5. “Blacksburg definitely needed something like this and I feel once they complete the entire shopping center, they will see how beneficial this place will be for the town.” Various radio stations from the New River Valley and Roanoke were on hand to help promote the grand opening. Some even provided free coffee, donuts and drinks for those waiting in line. Once 10 a.m. arrived, officials with Ohio-Based MACS advertising firm started passing out the $5 bills and the shoppers were off to check out the new stores that have already opened. Some of those new merchants included Coldwater Creek, Talbots, Steger Creek, Loft, Chocolate Spike and many more. “We needed something like this in Blacksburg,’ said Cathy Webb. “This will soon be a booming place and we won’t always have to go to Christiansburg to spend money.” Once the First & Main project is completed it will contain about 40 restaurants and retailers, including a 186,000-square-foot big-box store, which has not been named, but has been rumored to be a Wal-Mart.Photos: (Top left) The crowd started lining up to be one of the first 2,000 shoppers to get a free $5 bill good for various prizes. (Right) This lady and her daughter brave the crisp temperatures Friday morning. (Bottom left) These are just a few of the many shops in the First & Main retail center. (Photos by David Grimes) Comments (3)
  written by Shop Blacksburg Fan, November 28, 2008
Great to see Blacksburg folks supporting their community....not everyone was against the retail outlets that they, obviously, need. I think we need a nick-name for those that fight the saving of resources..fuel, vehicles,time. Jobs: employees may walk and/or use public transportation. I think someone was/is wanting more than their $5 'shop local' stipend. Perhaps '$$Wheelzz' would be a good label for the small group of ill-informed WHEELZZ ($$power wanna' be's). GO GREEN! Shop locally! Work locally! It's helpful to so many!
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 written by town resident, November 28, 2008
It was nice to see a lot of the BLACKSBURG resident at the new First & Main today. I even saw a former town council member in line to get their $5 to spend. Maybe they could donate the money to help stop the rest of the project. Well, I better go shop before town council votes them out of town because too many town residents had congragted in a place they did not want them to. Happy Shopping
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Some may deem it as a melancholy time in America. Hopefully, the long wait for $5 is not a 'sign of the times.' Even in the rather affluent community of Blacksburg, there was apparent need for 'cash infusion.'Perhaps the VEC (Virginia Employment Commission) should have been on-site, offering local venues for employment opportunities. Truly, it is rather dismaying that folks would spend about 4 hours in the 'soup line'(including travel-time, getting in line, etc.)..for $5. Sure, some were 'just having fun'..but, I fear that many were there because of the 'fear factor'...fear is within many households, at this time. I hope that the public-works plans and other endeavors by the yet to be sworn-in President-elect, will help everyone. Meanwhile, the 'lame duck' is not a 'possum...playing 'being asleep,' as many suffer. Presidential/Executive orders could help USA residents NOW. Let's start with an IMMEDIATE rebate check for those that filed their tax-returns, last year. Even with time-factors of 'cutting' checks, money could be 'in-hand' before Christmas. BAA, Humbug, to the February 'gift' plan (simply: taxpayers getting SOME of their over-taxed earnings returned to them). If the Executive Branch can authorize $Billions in HOURS, for an illegal war (all the while, as I, and all, respect our service-people), the immediacy of Executive Branch order time-lines have been proven. Cut the '$5 red-tape'...JUST DO IT! We're in a depression, even in the progressive areas in the NRV. Do we really need more soup-lines?; I feel that, if offered, they would be overwhelmed. Food-banks are already 'maxed-out.' I that a soup-line will become available in the NRV, with cooperation with various volunteer groups; I hope to help. If no group initiates a soup-line, it may take individuals, such as myself, to initiate one. It's cold; folks are hungry, and often have little money.