Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, October 1, 1994 TAG: 9410220030
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV5 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: ALLISON BLAKE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
The move, slated for January, sparks concern from some downtown competitors and open arms from other merchants in the emptying mall.
"I think really our purpose on campus is to serve students, and two-thirds of the student body live off campus," said Tech finance Professor Art Keown, also chairman of the Virginia Tech Services board.
"I'm concerned about their expanding off campus," said Steve Miller, owner of Mish Mish, a downtown Blacksburg art supply shop.
The University Bookstore is operated by Virginia Tech Services Inc., the nonprofit corporation spun off from the university to operate vending services. According to a news release from Tech, the 24,000-square-foot store will carry all types of books, from textbooks to best-sellers. Thirty jobs will be added to the local economy, although whether they will be full- or part-time could not be confirmed late Friday.
In addition to an emphasis on scholarly books and an atmosphere suited to browsing, the store will carry computer equipment, Keown said.
Keown pointed out that most students commute to the parking-strapped campus, and that the branch store should help them.
"Like other town shopping districts, University Mall has suffered from retail store `drain,''' Keown said. "This branch bookstore will serve as an anchor, attracting foot traffic for other stores."
Rumors of the move have floated for weeks, but had not made it to all corners.
"I'm really surprised," said Richard Walters, owner of Books, Strings & Things downtown, which has struggled in recent months to come back from the brink of bankruptcy. "They sure gave that mall an appropriate title."
But Walters, who said his company is optimistic about his future, said the move seemed silly.
"I can't see what that would do for them. I suppose it would save the students that are living off campus some trouble, but they've all got to go to school on campus. It seems to be a redundancy," he said.
Bill Valentine, owner of Printer's Ink, the bookstore already in the mall, declined comment.
But Brenda Hucik, who owns Blacksburg Florist Inc. in the mall, said she looks forward to the increased flow of walk-by shoppers.
"I'm sure it'll help," she said. "Now we need something on the other end."
Rose's, the department store at the other end of the mall from Heironimus, also closed recently.
by CNB