Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, December 7, 1993                   TAG: 9312070094
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: B8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

IN BUSINESS

Manufacturing activity in Virginia continued to increase in October, but industries surveyed by the Federal Reserve Bank said they expected to receive both good and bad news over the next six months.

The Richmond Federal Reserve's monthly survey said manufacturers showed increases in shipments, orders and employment. Raw materials and finished goods prices rose, with the cost of raw materials slightly exceeding the cost of finished goods.

Though manufacturers expected increases in most categories over the next six months, they expect to employ fewer people, the Fed reported. Staff report

\ Restaurant to open at Grand Pavilion

Victor's, a new restaurant, is to open Monday at Grand Pavilion shopping mall on Virginia 419.

Viamac Inc. and its president, Vic Foti, who also is an owner in five Western Sizzlin Steak Houses, is leasing the space formerly occupied by Charley's Restaurant, which closed in July.

Victor's menu will include seafood, pasta, chicken and steaks and "our own featured items," Foti said. Lunch will feature lighter fare, including soups, salads and sandwiches.

The separate menu is "for the crowd in a hurry and those who want to have a nice meal," said Steve Antley, a manager.

Victor's has a capacity of 150 and will employee about 30 waiters, eight to 10 cooks and two or three bartenders. Staff report \

Va. Blues receive another AA-rating

For the second year in a row, Standard & Poor's Ratings Group has assigned an "excellent" rating of AA- to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia.

The rating was awarded based on the mutual insurance company's dominant market share in Virginia and its "excellent earnings and strong capitalization," S&P said.

The insurer's "large market share within the state enables the company to negotiate favorable pricing with all the acute-care hospitals as well as with other health-care providers," S&P said.

- Staff report