Collegiate Times

“Millions of dollars” are being poured into downtown Blacksburg renovations in hopes of increasing business for the area. With the $2.5 million spent on improvements, merchants hope to attract many more customers.

?The Lofts at the Lyric,? the apartments above The Lyric theater, have been remodeled in a design aimed to attract a more sophisticated tenant. Formerly geared towards students, they now aim for professionals, professors or couples without children.

?Once the Lofts at the Lyric are all leased, it will drive traffic into the overall downtown area, with tenants bringing in friends, family and many different folks,? owner of Hanger 54 Linda Matney said.

Some businesses are unsure how the changes to the apartments will affect commerce in the area.

?I don?t know how it?s going to be. It probably won?t affect The Lyric?s business directly, but it does bring a new sort of tenant,? general manager for The Lyric Rob Baker said. ?We are always excited to see a few new faces downtown.?

Chauntey Moore, the manager of the Dairy Queen, which has been open for around nine years on College Avenue, is also uncertain of how the changes to the apartments will affect downtown business.

?I?m not sure of the effects [of the changes] because it?s now designed more for professors and university employees,? Moore said.

Downtown merchants agree, though, that once the construction is complete, the renovations will have a positive impact on business.

?It?s going to help a lot more,? Baker said. ?Once finished, it will be great. Downtown has really needed the facelift.?

The Lyric, located downtown since 1935, underwent a remodel in 1998, and its success indicates the benefits of updating downtown businesses.

?There was a slacking period [of business] in the 80s, but after the renovation there was a lot of community support for the business,? Baker said.

Before downtown business benefits from the renovations, however, it must endure ongoing construction.

The Lyric operates primarily at night, so the ongoing construction did not greatly affect the business negatively, as it does not regularly receive much foot traffic during the day. However, other businesses felt a stronger impact.
?[Construction] has had a huge affect on business, both good and bad,? Moore said. ?At first it was bad because at specific times, they closed off the entire section of the sidewalk. But now with the redesigned storefront, it?s brighter, and we get more recognition.

?Business has picked up a lot this year compared to this time last year,? Moore said.

Hanger 54 has also experienced decreased sales because of the construction work occurring, but Matney said she was confident that it?s worth it.

?[The construction] has had a negative impact on sales, but that?s something you work through. Hopefully when they get done, it will be better than ever,? Matney said. ?The renovations are for long-term enrichment. It encourages people to buy locally from all the businesses.?