Hotels across the metro region have dropped rates to lure NASCAR fans to Saturday night’s race at Richmond International Raceway. But even at lower prices, hotel managers expect to have plenty of empty rooms. “Quite honestly, I think the economy has really impacted people’s decision to come to the race this year,” said Fritz Schwartz,… Read more »
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Restaurants forced to chomp away at prices
Five is the magic number. First it was the $5 footlong at Subway. Now T.G.I. Friday’s is going on the offensive with its own $5 meal. Starting Monday, Friday’s will offer all salads and sandwiches for $5 during the month of May. These days, restaurants are using cheaper prices as a tool to take a… Read more »
Newsfeeds 4.29.09
Economy affects StellarOne’s earnings (Roanoke Times) Nonpayment of loans on homes at Smith Mountain Lake continues to diminish the bank’s results. The Charlottesville-based bank earned $146,000 in the first quarter, down $2.1 million from the same period a year ago. The company posted a net quarterly loss after paying the federal government dividends on its… Read more »
VDOT cutting 230 jobs, 90 in Richmond
The Virginia Department of Transportation announced that it will lay off 230 employees throughout the commonwealth. The cuts go into effect June 6. Spokesman Jeffrey Caldwell said that 63 of the cuts are at the central office and that 27 cuts are in the Richmond district for a total of 90 positions in the area…. Read more »
Two Short Pump restaurants close their doors
Two restaurants in Short Pump have closed their doors over the past week. The first, That’s BS: Burgers & Sports, which opened just a few months ago in the old Ham’s location at Broad and Springfield, couldn’t survive the recession. A sign posted on the front door this past weekend says it all: “That’s BS:… Read more »
Martin Agency layoffs 60 days later
None of the 24 employees laid off from Martin have taken advantage of the program, according to the Agency Spy which concludes that they must still be on the job hunt.
Pontiac’s demise hits area dealerships
Richmond area Pontiac dealers are trying to figure out what the discontinuation of the once popular auto will do to their businesses. General Motors said Monday that it will stop making Pontiacs by 2010. This was part of the company’s reorganization plan to receive government assistance, which also includes the elimination of 21,000 jobs by the auto maker.
Chesterfield looks to cut development fees
Development in Chesterfield County is set to become less expensive, if the Board of Supervisors follows a recent recommendation by the planning department to cut fees. The Chesterfield Planning Commission voted unanimously last week to lower fees on residential, office, commercial and industrial conditional-use applications by more than 20 percent. The fees were raised in… Read more »
LandAmerica jet goes to auction
After flying high on the mortgage boom, LandAmerica took a nosedive when the title company filed for bankruptcy last year. With the company grounded, it apparently no longer has a need for the corporate jet, a 1999 Hawker Beechcraft 400A. The jet, owned by LandAmerica subsidiary Beech Fly LLC, will be auctioned by Martin Air… Read more »
Newsfeeds 4.29.09
Newspaper circulation declines (Times Dispatch) The Richmond Times-Dispatch followed a national trend as circulation dropped among the nation’s newspapers between October and March. U.S. newspaper circulation declined 7.1 percent, while weekday circulation at the Times-Dispatch dropped 9.9 percent. Sunday subscriptions for the T-D increased slightly. No swine flu found in Mexican operations, Smithfield says (Virginia… Read more »