I want to thank everyone who contributed comments yesterday on the Town’s plan to expand Downtown Parking.
Some comments were based on South Main Street. I agree with one comment on the quality of businesses in that area. They are gems in the Town of Blacksburg.
For a while now, I have been thinking about ways to best support and expand those opportunities on South Main. Ideas are still formulating, but you have given me some interesting options to think about.
Look for more information as I work out the details and talk with others.
Thank you.
Blacksburgmayor's Blog 
I was really disappointed to see the movie theater pull out. I think that was the one thing that would have really tied it all together. The C’burg theater’s biggest downside is not having good restaurants within walking distance so theater-goers can go to dinner, have a few drinks, walk over to a movie, and then head home.
First and Main is perfect for that, Sake House, Bull & Bones, and Sal’s would all see increased dinner business from a theater. Then you have the people who want to go out for dessert after a movie. The aforementioned restaurants would all benefit again, plus the smoothie place & Maggie Moo’s.
All of this would increase the foot traffic around the area dramatically which would expose residents to the other stores.
OK, so Texas Roadhouse, Red Lobster, Ihop, Ryans, Olive Garden, Subway, Cinco de Mayo, Red Robin, and the restaurants in the food court at the NRV mall are not good restaurants? None of them??? The problem with F&M is the lack of an anchor tenant, thanks to BURG.
The only one I’d consider is Cinco de Mayo. And the First and Main restaurants I listed are all much nicer than that.
While you are thinking about ways to support South Main businesses, how about looking at the unfair advantage given to Jimmy Johns? Its delivery drivers get a free pass on parking on College Ave, whether its at a metered space, in the loading zone at all hours or in the “ATM Parking Only” spot in front of Squires (yeah, that’s a VT problem, but still). They also seem to be able to make free U-turns despite the poorly placed sign that prohibits that practice. Domino’s has a parking lot, so it doesn’t have to worry about where its drivers park, but I’ll bet if the town cut them a break on some part of their expenses, they would be more than happy. Same goes for the China Inn, or Pita Vera, or Sub Station II, Sal’s or any other restaurant. I’ll also bet its annoying to people who want to shop or eat downtown (where parking is already a problem and Kent Square isn’t a solution) and several spaces are taken up by vehicles with Jimmy Johns signs on them. I’m surprised the Downtown Merchants group hasn’t had words with the owner over this.