🌱 Abuelo's Replacement Revealed + Scammer Targeting Area Businesses

Good morning, neighbors! It's time for the storied Hump Day edition of the Roanoke Patch Newsletter! Let's get this Wednesday started off right with a quick dive into what's happening around town, including updates on:

• Senior exercise center opens at Troutville Town Park.
• Local firefighter warns about kids left in hot cars.
• U.S. Foods announces new grocery store opening.

Let's motor!

But first, today's weather: Some sun, then turning cloudy. High: 78 Low: 58.

Here are the top stories today in Roanoke:

1. Abuelo's restaurant at Valley View Mall closed in October 2021, leaving people curious about its replacement. The owners of Texas Roadhouse have announced that Bubba's 33 will open in 2024. The plan is to demolish the former Abuelo's building and construct a garage bar with functioning garage doors. Bubba's 33 will serve lunch and dinner daily, seven days a week and the menu will feature scratch-made food, along with ice cold beer and hand-crafted cocktails. The chain is already well-established with locations in over 40 cities across the U.S. (WDBJ)
2. The Better Business Bureau serving Western Virginia has issued a warning about a scam targeting local businesses in the area. Scammers are contacting businesses and claiming to sell advertising space on patient discharge bags for Carilion Clinic Hospitals. The scammer, using the name Rebecca McCloud, offers a discount if payment is made over the phone. However, the BBB has confirmed that this is a complete scam as there is no legitimate company associated with the email address provided. The scammer's objective is to obtain credit card information from the targeted businesses. Carilion Clinic has stated that they have not contracted with any external parties for selling such advertisements. (WSLS)
3. Two passionate residents of Troutville recognized a need in their community and took swift action. Dean Paderick and Harry Ulrich observed that the town lacked fitness equipment tailored to senior citizens, with the nearest park offering such amenities being nearly an hour away. Motivated by this, Paderick and Ulrich embarked on a journey to address this gap. The senior fitness equipment center is now officially open, and a ribbon-cutting celebration is scheduled for June 19 at 11 a.m. The Botetourt Chamber of Commerce encourages the community to attend and pay tribute to Paderick who died in June 2022 before the project could be completed. (WFXR)
4. According to Kids and Car Safety, over 1,050 children have lost their lives in hot cars across the United States since 1990. Leaving a sleeping baby unattended in a vehicle can result in serious injury or even death. In a recent interview, Roanoke firefighter and paramedic Alex McKinney sheds light on the rapid increase in temperature inside a car and the risks it poses to children. He offers valuable suggestions to parents and caregivers to help them remember the presence of a baby in the car. This discussion provides crucial advice that could potentially save lives and ensure the safety of children during the summer season. (WDBJ)
5. U.S. Foods has announced plans to open a grocery store called Chef'Store located on Towne Square Boulevard, occupying the former OfficeMax location. The store aims to offer wholesale food and restaurant supplies at competitive prices and products will range from meat, produce, dairy, frozen food, and beverages, as well as restaurant equipment, catering supplies, and cleaning and paper products. The store is designed to cater to the needs of both restaurants and food service operators, as well as the general public. U.S. Foods is primarily engaged in food distribution and operates a warehouse in Salem. The Chef'Store concept operates as a retail warehouse without membership requirements and has expanded to 90 locations across 13 states. The Roanoke location is expected to open this fall. (Roanoke Times)

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Today in Roanoke:

Wednesday, June 14

• Too Much Sylvia with food vendor Mountain Grille at Elmwood Park (5:30 p.m.)
• Dinner in the Dark at 5 Points Music Sanctuary (6:30 p.m.)
• Salem Red Sox vs. Delmarva Shorebirds at Salem Memorial Ballpark (7 p.m.)
• Adwela & the Uprising at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (9:30 p.m.)

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Do you know a Roanoke dad whose texts make you smile? This Father’s Day, celebrate him with a shoutout on Patch. Just fill out this simple form and we’ll do the rest!

From my notebook:

• Downtown Roanoke, Inc.: "We love that a Farmers Market vendor is opening a brick-and-mortar location downtown! Stop by to say hello and try one of their delicious menu items. 🍍🍌🥑🍓🍎🥭" (Downtown Roanoke, Inc. via Facebook)
• Dr Pepper Park at the Bridges: "Megan Moroney Music’s show is SOLD OUT! 😍 We are seeing RECORD HIGH ticket sales this year! If there is a concert you want to see, get your tickets sooner than later! Please only get tickets from drpepperpark.com or a trusted friend." (Dr Pepper Park at the Bridges via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Dolly is happy to share the word about the P.E.T. (Pets Eat Too) Community Outreach Program of the Roanoke Valley SPCA. This program provides services to keep people and pets united in the Roanoke Valley." (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Roanoke Public Libraries: "Kids ages 6-9, bring your fathers (or father figures!) to this fun drawing class at your Raleigh Court Branch Library, then snack on delicious donuts! Drawing will be led by local artist Katherine Devine! 📍" (Roanoke Public Libraries via Facebook)
• Roanoke Outside: "We like to think of ourselves as America's Friendliest Outdoor Town😃 And this week is the perfect time to prove it! The USAC Amateur Champions are June 14-17, and we need your help to roll out the red carpet to make this event amazing!" (Roanoke Outside via Instagram)

Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with your next update!

— Ian

About me: Ian Graham is a novelist, screenwriter, and freelance contributing writer. He is a firm believer in being yourself… unless you can be Batman. Always be Batman. To connect with Ian, you can visit him on Facebook and Instagram. He doesn't bite. Except on full moons.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Roanoke Patch newsletter? Contact me at roanoke@patch.com