Welcome to this issue of Roanoke Development Weekly: a quick look at what’s being built, opening, and changing across the Roanoke Valley.
Each week will be a short breakdown of the biggest updates + a few things I’m keeping an eye on.
📈 Top Story: What’s Next for Roanoke?
Last week’s “What’s Next” post sparked a ton of discussion; everything from Costco to Raising Cane’s.
But what’s actually realistic in the near term?
Here’s how things are shaping up right now:
Most likely (short-term movement):
Franchise-driven brands like Culver’s, Slim Chickens, and Another Broken Egg tend to be the easiest to bring into markets like Roanoke. These are often operator-led and don’t require full corporate market entry. Sometimes, it’s as simple as finding the perfect location.
Retail momentum building:
With projects like East Pointe (more on that below) and continued growth around Tanglewood, the valley is slowly becoming more attractive for mid-size national retail (think Floor & Decor-type expansions).
Already happening:
Crumbl Cookies, Nothing Bundt Cakes, and Wingstop all point to continued demand for national chains, especially in high-traffic retail corridors.
Longer-term “stretch” brands:
Concepts like Cheesecake Factory or Portillo’s typically require larger population density, higher income thresholds, and strong regional infrastructure. Not impossible…but not immediate.
Wildcard factor: Continued population growth and new housing supply could shift the equation faster than expected. Trader Joe’s? It’s possible.
What’s changed recently is that retail growth in the Roanoke region is no longer just passive. In 2024, Roanoke City, Roanoke County, and Salem partnered with Retail Strategies, a national retail recruitment firm, to actively recruit new retailers and restaurants, working to match brands with available sites across the region. That means many of the names people are asking for aren’t just wishful thinking anymore…they’re part of a more structured, behind-the-scenes effort to bring new businesses into the market.
Bottom line: Roanoke isn’t being overlooked. It’s just playing a different game than bigger metros.
📢 Opening Spotlight: Suit City Expands
A longtime Roanoke staple is entering a new chapter.
Suit City has officially opened a new standalone location on Electric Rd, expanding beyond its longtime presence inside Tanglewood and Valley View Mall.
The family-owned business, known locally for suits, tuxedos, and formalwear, has been serving the Roanoke Valley for 25+ years. The newly renovated space is designed to offer a more modern streamlined shopping experience and reflects continued investment in its local footprint.
With the new location now open, this is a good example of the kind of steady, under-the-radar investment shaping Roanoke’s retail landscape.
👉 To learn more or browse their offerings, visit their website: Suit City
🏡 Housing Watch: East Pointe (Roanoke City)
One of the largest apartment developments underway in the Roanoke Valley is starting to come into focus.
East Pointe, located along Orange Avenue (Route 460) is set to become the largest apartment complex in the region once complete. Construction is ongoing, with early phases moving toward delivery and pre-leasing already underway.
The project has been in development for several years and sits in a growing corridor alongside newer communities like District Vue. With quick access to downtown and major roadways, it’s positioned to attract both local renters and newcomers to the area.
Importantly, this isn’t just a residential project. Commercial development is planned as part of the broader buildout, including a Wawa currently under construction nearby.
I’ll be visiting the site soon for a walkthrough and an inside look at what’s being built, including layout, amenities, and overall scale.
👉 To learn more or check current availability, visit their website for leasing information: East Pointe
From a broader perspective, East Pointe reflects a larger trend in the Roanoke market: continued demand for new, higher-end rental housing and ongoing investment in key corridors outside the immediate downtown core.
🏗️ Development Watch + Whispers
📍Confirmed / In Progress
Publix (Roanoke County): Site work is actively underway, with heavy equipment on-site and foundation work beginning to take shape. Recent progress shows grading largely complete and early structural elements going in. Still no confirmed opening date at this time.
Taco Bell (Peters Creek Rd / Roanoke City): Plans have been submitted for a new drive-thru location at the former Carter Bank & Trust site. I’ve also been told by a local source that construction could begin as soon as next month, though no official timeline has been announced yet.
👀 Whispers / What I’m Watching
Chick-fil-A (Southern Hills / Roanoke City): There are early signs that the Southern Hills location could be in line for an upcoming remodel or renovation.
C-Store + Gas Station (Botetourt): A new 16-pump convenience store proposal just hit next month’s agenda near Exit 150. Design looks similar to Wawa-style builds, but nothing confirmed yet.
🔦 Local Spotlight: The Homeplace Restaurant (Catawba)
A Roanoke-area favorite is back.
The Homeplace Restaurant in Catawba has officially reopened, bringing back one of the region’s most well-known dining experiences. Known for its family-style meals and scenic setting overlooking the mountains, the restaurant has long been a destination spot for both locals and visitors, especially those that have just finished hiking nearby McAfee Knob.
Its return marks more than just a reopening…it’s the continuation of a place that’s been part of the area’s identity for years.
With growth continuing across the region, it’s a reminder that not all development is new. Sometimes, it’s about bringing back what people already love.
If you haven’t made the drive out recently, it might be time.
👉 Check their hours, menu, and updates on their Facebook page: The Homeplace Restaurant
Know a local business expanding, opening, or doing something interesting? Send it my way.
🎁 Gift Card Giveaway
Starting this week, I’m launching a monthly giveaway as a way to say thanks for all the support, and to highlight some of the local spots tied to the development stories we’re covering.
This month’s giveaway: a gift card to Elderberry’s, a well-known local favorite here in the Roanoke Valley.
Each month, one subscriber will win a gift card to a business tied to what’s happening across the area, rotating between locally owned spots and national brands to reflect the mix of growth happening across the Valley.
👉 How to enter:
1 entry = being subscribed
+1 entry = reply to this week’s email
+ 2 entries = refer a friend (have them mention your name when they subscribe)
All entries (including referrals) must be submitted by Sunday, May 10th before the next issue goes out.
The winner will be announced in next week’s newsletter.
👉 Want an extra entry? Just reply to this email and tell me: What business would you love to see come to Roanoke?
Got a tip, rumor, or something I should look into? Just reply to this email; I read every message.
-Scott
Facebook: Roanoke Growth and Development / Instagram: @roanokegrowth
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