Costco approached about coming, but no word yet

Change is on the way. Vacant business locations in Salem are getting new owners or tenants, and another half dozen will soon get new looks.

Salem City Council heard an encouraging report from Economic Development Director Melinda Payne during the work session before the Oct. 23 Council meeting.

The most noticeable could be the tattered and empty former Shoney’s restaurant building where grass is growing through the asphalt parking lot on Wildwood. It is set to become Angelle’s Diner.

Omelet Shoppe owner Glenn Angelle of Tennessee had previously announced he would redo the omelet restaurant near the Wildwood I-81 interchange, but now he is acquiring the former Shoney’s location closer to Main Street.

“He was real happy to have it,” Payne said, who met earlier this month with Angelle. “It has better visibility and more parking.”

Shoney’s pulled out of Salem since closing “temporarily” in 2013, and the building has stood empty and getting more run down outside every day.

Angelle is ready to start renovations as soon as he can get necessary permits and other aspects, Payne said.

Council members were interested in knowing if the former Shoney’s signpost – said to be the tallest in the city – could be lowered in height.

Mayor Randy Foley asked Salem City Manager Kevin Boggess, “Is there any way to do something with the sign? It’s huge.” Boggess said the city would talk with Angelle, who has another Angelle’s Diner in Daleville. He is looking for a possible buyer for the Omelet Shoppe, Payne said.

In Payne’s PowerPoint presentation to Council in the work session, she also showed how she, Boggess and other city leaders have reached out to owners of Costco about the possibility of the big wholesale discount chain locating in Salem.

Despite numerous emails, phone calls and other communications she showed Council examples, Costco has not agreed to consider Salem as a location. Council members agreed they would be willing to travel to Northern Virginia to talk with Costco representatives if it can be arranged.

Councilmember James Martin said of Payne’s persistence with Costco, “That tenacity is impressive.”

Payne also reported the city representatives had tried to attract Home Goods and Cookout, without results.

Payne showed artist conceptions by Robin Poteet of possible facades for storefronts on Main Street downtown, including the former Newberry building – where the Health Department is located and will stay on the back side – Cornerstone building, Brooks-Byrd pharmacy building, Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea and Hidden Treasures.

Roanoke Valley investor Richard Bishop purchased the Newberry Building for $1million, Payne said, reinvesting some of the money he received from selling the old Valleydale meat processing plant.

“We have a tenant who has been looking in the area,” Boggess added, without giving details.

The artist’s conception shows a front that could take the former dimestore building back to a look from the 1950s. Bishop wants to remove the brick façade, Payne said.

Bishop has offered to meet with the Salem Industrial Development Authority about properties he owns, Payne added.

The building where Brooks-Byrd and other businesses are located at 412 E. Main are owned by the Snyder Family Trust and administered by Keith Denson. The artist’s conception shows new windows and awnings upstairs on the second floor, as well as hanging exterior period lights.

Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea has not approved the proposal yet for it’s building, which shows eggplant-colored paint and more windows above the coffee shop’s main seating area on Main Street.

Salem is offering grants up to $5,000 to make changes to Main Street facades.

In other empty building updates, Council heard that the former BTO yogurt shop location across Main from Brooks Byrd is now up for lease, as is Salem Pizza’s location, owned by the Lily family. Judge Lily wants to transform the building, and believes some business would move in if that were done, Payne said.

A couple of businesses in West Salem want attention from the city similar to what is being offered in downtown, Payne added. Councilmembers discussed the possibilities of lightpost flags similar to what are put up in downtown. “We’re seeing how we can make it happen, pretty it up a little,” Payne said. “They do want to feel some love.”

At the regular council meeting, Councilmembers voted unanimously to reappoint David Preston to another term on the Salem School Board. Preston is the current chairman. He was the only person to apply for the next three-year-term which begins in January. He has served on the School Board since 2008. Preston is president of Country Cookin restaurants.