Salem expanding businesses defy odds
SALEM – In spite of an economic recession, a number of Salem businesses are expanding, building offices and moving.
Here’s a closer look at four.
Harvey Dentistry
After years of serving the general, restorative and cosmetic dental care needs of patients in Salem and the Roanoke Valley, Harvey Dentistry is leaving its 101 S. Colorado St. location in Salem and relocating to West Main Street. The practice, which also operates in Dublin and Hardy, is building new offices and plans on moving to 1618 W. Main St. by the beginning of January.
The tan-and-brown-trim, two-story building is set back from the street, with a driveway between Goodyear and Valvoline. It is diagonally across from the Salem Times-Register building.
“We needed more space and wanted to be more visible so patients can find us easier,” said Dr. Greg Harvey, DMD, PC, who added that the practice is accepting new patients.
The new office will be larger; 4,500 square feet compared to the 1,800 square feet Harvey Dentistry currently leases. That will allow the practice to expand from two dentists and four treatment rooms to four dentists and 12 treatment rooms. Harvey selected G&H Contracting Inc., a Salem-based corporation specializing in commercial and residential projects, as the general contractor.
Invision Eye Fitness and Fashion
Invision Eye Fitness and Fashion has provided eye exams and designer eyewear for three generations of patients and has “deep roots in Salem,” according to Dr. Scott Mann, optometrist, who joined Dr. Gene Bane in 1986 and bought the practice in 2002 with business partner, fellow optometrist and Salem resident Dr. Jon Gudeman. Originally located on Colonial Avenue in Roanoke, Bane moved the practice to Salem around the 70s and retired approximately two years ago.
For Invision, it wasn’t a matter of leasing office space and investing in its own facility. Dr. Mann and Dr. Gudeman own the current building located at 115 Boulevard, which they hope to rent.
“The next logical step in our business was to grow,” Mann said. “Interest rates are low, we are helping the economy, and we have great community support. Our current facility layout is also not as efficient as it could be and we only use about 4,000 of the 6,000 square feet.”
The new offices will be 4,500 square feet, all of which is usable space, and will be located at 101 4th St., which early in the construction, was home to the sign painted with a question mark.
“We are going as green as we can,” said Mann. “We salvaged what we could from the house, sold some of the materials and gave some away. It will be very different with natural finishes.”
The new offices will provide more testing areas, more exam rooms, and a larger optical space to offer more choices in glasses and styles. Invision, which also has a Christiansburg office, is also using G&H Contracting, as well as Timber Truss.
“Everything is local,” concluded Mann, who anticipates moving in March.
Salem VA Credit Union, Member One Federal Credit Union
Salem VA Credit Union broke ground Dec. 10 for its second location in Salem and third in the Roanoke Valley.The two-story building will be constructed at the corner of West Main and Union streets, where there was formerly a colorfully painted car wash and an antique store.
“We’ll have about 9,000 square feet, and the second story will have some administrative offices, growth space and potential rental space,” President Steve Anderson said. About four more employees will be hired, bringing the total for the three branches to 27, who will be split among the locations, Anderson added.
He anticipates construction to be completed by the first of 2011. Avis Construction is the general contractor. The main location of Salem VA Credit Union is on the campus of the Salem Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and the other is located on Electric Road in Southwest Plaza.
Member One Federal Credit Union is refreshing its brand, according to Mark Hudzik, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development. As part of that effort, they are taking the opportunity to build a branch in Salem at 1436 W. Main St., which will be the 9th building that credit union will own. A new corporate headquarters off of I-581 in Roanoke is also under construction.
“We outgrew our existing spot which originally had two individual offices and we built a third office,” explained
Hudzik with regard to the 1,500 square foot space the credit union is currently leasing on West Main Street in front of the Lowe’s now under construction. “The new building will almost double our square footage, have four offices and have a nicer lobby with a community wall showcasing local photography. It will also have a member coffee station.”
Over time, Member One will have projects similar to the community wall of local photography in its other branches, said Hudzik.
“We want to be able to offer a great experience for members so we are placing an emphasis on local culture. We reached out to our members in Salem and asked for their input.”
Hudzik said they hope to be in the new building by mid-January and host a grand opening in February. Thor, Inc. of Roanoke is the general contractor.
