ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, October 25, 1996 TAG: 9610250054
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: RADFORD
SOURCE: LESLIE HAGER-SMITH STAFF WRITER
Early this month, signs of life began to appear from behind the huge sign on First Street in central Radford that proclaims Wade's intentions of "opening soon."
On Thursday, Greg Wade, director of buying and advertising for the grocery chain of six supermarkets and 13 convenience stores, confirmed that the long-awaited Radford store is officially under construction.
More than two years after the prominent sign was erected, drivers zip heedlessly past its site next to Kollmorgen and across from Crestar Bank. They've grown accustomed to the vacant lot with the promise emblazoned in red.
Now, behind the hill where the land drops steeply away toward railroad tracks, a trio of earth movers lumbers over the site like yellow giants. Weeks of work will be necessary to prepare the front of the lot for parking and to grade the back for a basement storage facility.
The store, which will employ approximately 125 people, will open in mid-1997 according to Wade. Promotions from within the locally owned, privately held grocery chain will fill some of those jobs.
The 41,000-square-foot store - almost an acre in size - will feature a bakery and a full-service delicatessen with a seating area.
Though several convenience stores serve the area, residents in central and west Radford must trek to Food Lion on Tyler Avenue near Radford University or across Memorial Bridge to the Kroger and Food Lion stores in Fairlawn to shop at a sizable supermarket.
"With the new Radford store, people will be able to shop Wades in their own home town," Wade said.
The Radford location enhances the chain's coverage of the New River Valley market area, by closing the gap between the chain's existing stores in Christiansburg and Dublin, according to Wade.
Last year, plans fell through for a store in Christiansburg between Kmart and Grand Piano & Furniture Co. when the Wal-Mart Supercenter opened. Wade's still owns the site, but it is listed for sale.
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