Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, April 23, 1994 TAG: 9404250147
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By KEVIN DANIELS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: FAIRLAWN LENGTH: Medium
But across the river in Radford, business was brisk. The normally quiet Food Lion saw its sales double overnight.
Radford residents who are used to driving to Fairlawn to do their shopping or to grab a quick meal may have to do some schedule-juggling during the weeks the bridge is closed. Repairs could take up to two months, highway officials said Friday.
At Food Lion on Tyler Avenue, six of seven registers were open and customers were lined up into the store's aisles at noon.
"We've been swamped since last night," Assistant Manager David Beverly said, "and it's been rocking all morning.
"We're trying to double our staff. We're expecting an even bigger rush after people get out of work today because everyone gets paid."
But across the river, Fairlawn businesses faced empty parking lots and unusually quiet stores Friday.
Kathy Walker, spokeswoman for Kmart, said the slow days will allow employees to catch up on chores they have to neglect when waiting on customers.
"We're really upset, but what can you do?" Walker said with a shrug. She said the store's employees were trying to keep a positive attitude as they waited for business to pick up. "We just want to make it through the weekend."
Making it through the weekend may be a difficult task for Fairlawn fast-food restaurants that rely on Radford University students as employees as well as customers. Jerry Gibson, general manager for Taco Bell, said he has been forced to cut his employees' hours to keep operating costs down.
As he talked, customers straggled into the dining room and edged their way around a ladder that blocked the cash register.
"I've been telling the ones who are working to catch a ride and walk across the bridge," Gibson said. "That's what I did this morning."
Gibson said that despite the disadvantages of being cut off from regular traffic, including the rerouting of delivery trucks through Christiansburg, he has discovered a double-edged advantage:
"The closing's been convenient in a way because a lot of [students] are taking time off for finals," he said. "But when those come around, the Hardee's in downtown Radford is going to boom - if the bridge is still closed, that is."
Gary Brown, general manager for the Hardee's, on the Radford University side of the river, did not want to predict that far into the future. He said the restaurant had been busier since Thursday evening when the bridge closed. Both the drive-through window and the dining room lines were inundated with customers Friday afternoon.
Hardee's nearest fast-food competitor, Subway, has not seen the same increase in diners according to Manager Chris Stanley, who said he often eats in Fairlawn when he has a choice.
But for the next couple of weeks, the bridge will limit those choices for Stanley and other fast-food fans - unless they want to walk the bridge or drive a lengthy detour.
by CNB