I would call this place a "Paradise on Earth." A one-of-a-kind multi-resource community center in Roanoke, Virginia, designed to address the needs of the underserved Northwest Roanoke community by providing quality essential services in one location, and doing so with class. Clearly the architectural design of the building itself is a symbol of hope, of the famous phrase "Where there is a will, there is a way," put into action. Walking inside the Melrose Plaza building made me recall the Bible verse of Jeremiah 29:11 '"For I know the plans I have for you', declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."' Melrose Plaza opened its doors on July 2025, as a collaborative project led by Goodwill Industries of the Valleys, the City of Roanoke, and Carilion Clinic, with the goal of creating a new model for community revitalization by dealing with issues like food deserts, and lack of access to education, healthcare, and career and financial planning. For this purpose, I learned from the friendly and knowledgeable information center lady behind a circular counter inside the Plaza, that several unique and one-of-a-kind establishments located inside the Plaza were created. The Market on Melrose, the Plaza's flagship store, is a full-service grocery store, that gives access to affordable healthy food within reach of members of this community, and the first Goodwill-operated grocery store in the country. As I went inside to explore it, what impressed me the most was how clean and well organized everything was. The ambiance was that of a high-end, gourmet, health minded grocery store. It was full of nutritional, high quality, and affordable, fresh, healthy food, placed in a beautiful contemporary designed store with amazing use of colors and light treatments. Next to the Melrose Market is the Henrietta's Cafe where customers can enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner in their dining open space, or grab something to go on the way to work or to take home on the way back. The Excel Center, (Virginia's first adult high school), also located in the Plaza, is a place where adults can go back to school and complete their high school diploma in a flexible, supportive environment. A high school diploma can help graduates obtain better job opportunities and with these, better income potential. The Melrose Branch of the Roanoke Public Library not only provides great reading resources, but also offer excellent programs, such as their Carrer Day, to assist individuals in finding the ideal career of their choice. Wellness on Melrose provides health and nutrition services to help you live healthier and happier lives. Together with their community partners, they provide workshops and counseling to help with stress management, nutrition planning, physical fitness, and overall wellness. The Bank of Botetourt branch in the Plaza offers banking and financial coaching for Financial Empowerment of the individual. After earning your money, you need to know ways to save it and invest it to make it grow to use for future goals. And last but not least, exhibits that help value and celebrate the History and Culture of the residents of the area. Starting with the Harrison Museum of African American Culture, with the purpose of cultivating awareness and appreciation of the significant contributions of people of African descent. And also including a History Wall honoring local Black leaders, and a public mural located inside in the Plaza, celebrating the area's heritage. I was totally impressed by this first-of-its-kind, transformational community center collaborative project, made possible by the united participation of Goodwill Industries of the Valleys, the City of Roanoke, Carilion Clinic, and other community partners. It not only is an uplifting project for the Northwest Roanoke community but could also creates a new model for revitalizing communities across the country. read more

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