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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, December 7, 1994                   TAG: 9412080023
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: B8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

IN BUSINESS

Roanoke Gas Co. said Tuesday that the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers Union has filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board seeking to represent the company's clerical employees.

Fewer than 40 employees would be eligible to vote. No date has been set for the election. The same employees voted against representation by the union three years ago, the company said.

The union represents about 65 service and construction workers at Roanoke Gas, the company said.

- Staff report

Wertz's store adds wine cellar

Wertz's Country Store on the Roanoke City Market has opened a wine cellar on its lower level. Rob Callahan, who manages the wine cellar for owner Gary Crowder, said Virginia wines will continue to be sold on the upper level of the store along with other products from the state.

Callahan, who owns the 309 First Street restaurant in the same block, said Tuesday he is stocking familiar wines and wines that have not been available previously in Roanoke. They come from California, Oregon and Washington state, along with varieties from France, Chile and Argentina.

- Staff report

Complex renamed and renovated

An apartment complex at 521 Bluff Ave. S.W. in the Old Southwest neighborhood has been renovated and named the Cloisters. O&M Properties of Lynchburg, which is leasing the buildings, said more money was spent on the renovation than the original construction cost in 1965. The price was not disclosed.

Nineteen of the 20 units have one bedroom, and one unit has two bedrooms.

All of the windows and sashes have been replaced and are insulated. A new building houses laundry facilities for tenants.

- Staff report

Columbia/HCA to buy hospital

Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corp., Louisville, Ky., parent of Lewis-Gale Hospital in Salem, said Tuesday it has agreed to acquire the 104-bed Dallas Family Hospital in Texas from Universal Health Services of Pennsylvania. Terms of the transaction, which is expected to close in the first quarter of 1995, were not disclosed.

- Staff report