ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, March 29, 1996 TAG: 9603290066
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: A-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ELLIOTT SMITH STAFF WRITER
ONE NEW FEATURE at this year's show will be the The Center for Universal Design, which emphasizes the ``home for a lifetime.''o
Anyone looking for the perfect kitchen or thinking about remodeling the bath might find the making of those dreams at the Salem Civic Center this weekend.
Better Living Expo '96 - The Home Show, which includes 160 exhibitors with products ranging from lighting to hot tubs, opens today.
``It's a showcase of just about everything you would need regarding building or remodeling,'' said Melody Williams, executive vice president the Roanoke Regional Home Builders Association, the 26-year-old show's sponsor. ``We like to promote the show as `one-stop shopping.'''
The builders' association expects 10,000 people to attend the three-day event, which Williams said is a testament to the show's usefulness.
"The fact that the show sells out as far as exhibitors go and has a consistent number of attendees speaks for something," Williams said. "People must seek it as a source of deciding what they're going to buy and the exhibitors see it as fulfilling their needs as well."
Exhibitors agree that the home show is a chance for them to display new products and hope that people remember what they saw later on.
"It's real important to make yourself known and make a presence in the community," said Mark Wheeler of Merillat Cabinets in Roanoke. "They can walk by and see us here, and when they see the sign out driving around they know where to get their cabinets."
One new feature at this year's show will be the The Center for Universal Design, which emphasizes the "home for a lifetime." It uses design features - such as motorized sinks that raise and lower - that accommodate family members of different heights, or those in wheelchairs.
Builders association president Joe Miller, also owner of E.J. Miller Construction Co., said the chance to see what's new in the home industry should be only one reason to attend the show.
"You have a chance to talk to the experts here," Miller said. "These people know more about their fields than anyone, and people should take the opportunity to talk and pick the brains of these people."
The home show is open 3 to 9 p.m. today; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $3 for people over 12 and $2 for those older than 65.
LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: ROGER HART/Staff. 1. Scott Walker of F&S Building andby CNBRemodeling in Moneta puts the final touches on the roof of a sun
room. Walker is one of many vendors preparing displays for the home
show, which will open tonight at the Salem Civic Center. The
Roanoke Regional Home Builders Association expects 10,000 people to
attend the three-day event. 2. Jeff Richardson, a sales
representative for Wholesale Enterprises, fills a whirlpool
Thursday. Exhibitors say the show gives them a chance to display new
products.