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

DATE: SUNDAY, May 8, 1994                   TAG: 9405170009
SECTION: DISCOVER NRV                    PAGE: 46   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: JOANNE ANDERSON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

OUR SPENDING STYLES ARE JUST AS VARIED AS OUR PERSONALITIES

For some people, it's a quick-stop thing. They go into a store, pick out what they want, pay for it and leave.

For others, it's an event that might include socializing, walking, eating, browsing, talking, comparing, touching. It may or may not involve buying.

Lauren Keister of Radford, a New River Current reader who responded to the recent survey of favorite things, wrote on the line: My favorite thing to do when I have no money - is "to walk around the New River Valley Mall and window shop."

Sheila Peterson of Blacksburg also listed window shopping as her favorite.

Another Radford resident, Marie Hypes, completed the phrase: My favorite shopping binge - with "most anytime." She said she shops at the New River Valley Mall and discount retailers such as Kmart, Rose's and Wal-Mart.

These women most likely fall into the event category of shoppers. Several respondents didn't complete the line at all - probably quick-stop shoppers.

The New River Valley Mall got several votes because of its nationally known stores, such as J.C. Penney, and the variety of stores and merchandise. Claire's Boutique in the mall was mentioned by Barbara Dillard of Elliston for its "earrings always on sale."

Sales are appealing. Kimberly Loan of Christiansburg shops at Goody's because "something's always on sale and [there's] lots to choose from."

A couple of popular shopping spots for the do-it-yourselfers who responded to the survey are Wal-Mart and Lowe's. Christiansburg resident Tommy Price shops at Wal-Mart for two reasons: The building is practically in his back yard and he always finds what he wants for around the house or the car.

Arnold Mink of Blacksburg wrote, "It's unbelievable what they have in those stores," with reference to Lowe's.

Mrs. C.H. Long of Blacksburg listed Kroger as a favorite shopping place. Although she laments the loss of some of the stores from Blacksburg, "there's still some good little shops."

One man shops at the Plant Plant and wrote that he "can't stop short of financial ruin." Delbert Jones, who works in the research lab at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech, is a master gardener and gardens for a hobby.

"I go to the Plant Plant at different times of the year because their gardens change. You can see the colors, how high the plants are, what they look like," he explained. This is an event shopper, for sure.

Schoolhouse Fabrics in Floyd got a vote from Lydia Warren of Radford. It's a "different place with a wide selection," she wrote.

Some of the friendliest places mentioned were Main Street Bazaar in downtown Blacksburg, Wimmer Tire and Lube Time. The first is an event type of store; the latter two are quick-stop shops.

One respondent wrote about the Blacksburg shop British Isles Originals on Harding Avenue. It's a "neat shop, and the lady who runs it is very nice. More people should shop there."

The Record Exchange garnered a vote because "they still sell vinyl," and Heironimus; Books, Strings and Things; Annie Kay's; Bonomo's; Fringe Benefit; Printed Page; Hills; and Big Lots also were mentioned.