New retail reporter in Roanoke

Amanda Codispoti is the new retail reporter at the Roanoke Times, replacing Jenny Kincaid Boone, who left the paper in May.

Codispoti writes, “I’m happy to say that beginning today I’ll be bringing you retail news on this blog. I’ll also be writing the Retail Roundup column in Sunday’s business section.

“I’m an Ohio native who moved to Roanoke more than five years ago and marveled at the city’s bustling downtown and the abundance of locally-owned businesses. I also scratched my head, wondering why a place as great as Roanoke couldn’t attract a Chili’s Grill & Bar, and at the time, more than one Starbucks.

“I move into this position after years of crime reporting for The Roanoke Times. Yes, it’s a drastic change, but one that excites me. My curiosity about Roanoke’s shopping scene never waned, and I’m eager to bring context to the region’s consumer culture.

“I’ll use this blog primarily to share news about retail trends and stores opening, closing, and relocating. I’m also hoping the blog can also be a place for us to have some fun and discuss our favorite stores or talk about what restaurants and shops we’d like to see come to our area.”

Read more here.