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

DATE: FRIDAY, April 5, 1991                   TAG: 9104050414
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: By KATHY LOAN/ NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: PEARISBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

GILES SEEKS TO KEEP ITS LEGGETT/

The Pearisburg Leggett store opened in 1960.

A delegation of retail, business, government and chamber of commerce representatives met Wednesday with Leggett President Fred Leggett Jr. at the New River Valley Mall in Christiansburg.

Harold Chafin, president of the Giles County's Industrial Development Authority, said the meeting was very positive even though Leggett did not say the decision would definitely be reconsidered.

He said the delegation expressed its concern about losing a longtime business that has been "a good citizen."

Eddie Dowdy of Dowdy's Jewelry represented retail businesses and the Pearisburg Merchants Association at the meeting. He said Leggett agreed to take the information back to his board of directors.

Dowdy also was encouraged by the meeting, although he stressed that no false hopes were given.

"I was glad we went rather than just slough this off," he said.

"It's like, the door is closed but the key hasn't been locked yet."

Dowdy said losing Leggett would hurt the town just as it begins to prosper.

"Our town and our county are on a roll right now," he said.

For example, several new businesses have opened; the county is completing a state program to become a certified business location; the National Bank of Blacksburg recently opened a new building in Pearisburg; and Hoechst-Celanese has started a training partnership with the county high schools.

"This is a crucial time in our history because for once we have a chance to make it," he said.