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

DATE: THURSDAY, September 15, 1994                   TAG: 9409150052
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: By PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PULASKI                                LENGTH: Short

DISCOUNTS TO HONOR EMPLOYEES

The employee appreciation program got under way with a two-week tryout at Volvo-GM Heavy Truck Corp. in August.

This month, the coupons are being distributed to about 140 employees in the town of Pulaski, an estimated 250 Pulaski County employees, a number of state employees and between 200 and 300 people who work downtown.

J.B. Cruise of Old World Carpets, who helped start the program, has hand-delivered the coupons to people working downtown. ``The personal touch,'' he said. ``That's the only way I know to get to them.''

Plans are under way to distribute coupons to more than 1,000 employees of the school system.

``It's been well received,'' Cruise said of the program.

Each store offers its own individual discount. Participants include Old World Carpets, the Pulaski Antiques Center, Colony of Virginia Ltd., Upstairs Downstairs Boutique, RP Collectibles, Renaissance Restaurant, Martin's Pharmacy, Main Street Cafe and Casimir Co.