Sometimes bad things happen for the better. It's amazing how…read morea sporting goods empire came to be from the actions of the boss of an 18-year-old kid employee named Dick, who asked the kid to come up with a list of ideas for products needed to get into the fishing tackle business, and after having been presented with the kid's suggestions, calling him a dumb kid who had no idea what he was doing. After having been selected as number 4 of Yelp's Top 50 most prolific Elites of 2025, a year when I also was awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Photographer of the Year Award at their Yelpies 2025 Award Ceremony, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, and where last year I was awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Yelper of the Year Award, I decided that this year, as an All-Star Yelp Elite, I not only wanted to be the first to discover new restaurants and businesses, and bring them to the attention of the public, but also to uncover those found in hidden paths that for one reason or another have not reached the public in its totality. And Dick's Sporting Goods in Roanoke, Virginia, is a perfect example. Just the other day a good friend of mine recommended me some comfortable HOKA Clifton 10 sneakers he had bought at this Dick's Sporting Goods store. So after finding those sneakers in their app that I had in my cellphone, I drove to their store today in my pearl white Lexus to try them on. This Dick's Sporting Goods store located next to the Valley View Mall in Roanoke, Virginia, is majestic in size to the point of being intimidating. After entering their gigantic entrance, it was like arriving to a whole new world where everything sports reigned. Absolutely everything you could think of that had to do with sports, they had in their infinite inventory very well arranged in categories throughout the store. At the end of the store, they had this relatively new and well designed open area where the sneakers department was. When I arrived, I saw a couple of tables with HOKA sneakers on display. They also had a small, easy to use computer to help customers find the perfect shoe they were looking for. But what I couldn't find was a sales associates to assist me to find the sneakers I needed. An order gentleman finally came out and didn't even greet me. I had to ask him if he could help me find the shoes I needed. He didn't seem too friendly, but he went back to get the men's HOKA Clifton 10 in black size 9 for me, in regular width and wide. He brought the two boxes and laid them on the wide bench where I was seated, not being helpful at all to put them on. I asked if he had a shoehorn and he said not at Dick's, like if I was crazy to ask that question. All the time he was ignoring me and not giving me his attention. It was the worst customer service that I had ever received anywhere, especially here that I thought was a high-end Sports category store. He looks at his watch and tells me it's his check-out time, that the other sales lady could help me. She was a bit kinder and knowledgeable but also delivered lukewarm service. After trying on the sneakers I had gone there for and feeling comfortable with them on, I walked over to the front cash register to pay for them. On my way there I saw one of the managers and asked if I could take some photos of their store for this review and he told me it was not allowed, that I had to get permission from corporate. I don't understand how a store of this nature could have employees and managers with such poor customer service skills. I guess they remain in business just because they have a well stocked store with a great variety of good quality products nicely displayed. The young gentleman in the cash register was also the same. Very serious and didn't even say thank you for shopping here. What a pitty, all the employees in this store seem to be treating their customers just as the boss of the founder treated him when he was a kid, disrespectful. I hope that corporate reads this review and takes actions in the recruitment and development of their employees, starting from their store managers and down the line. And that they listen to their customers and treat them with the respect they deserve.

* Please note i have previously posted about this issue at the Christiansburg store. As it also…read moreinvolved the Roanoke store I am posting about it here as well. Went to the Christiansburg location to buy an in-stock bike. I was told they could not sell it to me in the box. I explained I was from out of town. Didn't matter. I explained that my wife bought a bike in the box in the Roanoke store the previous week. Didn't matter. It's listed in stock and available for pick up. Didn't matter. It's right there. Didn't matter. Is this the policy because Roanoke did it. Not a policy... it's our "preference". Great, please sell me the bike. Didn't matter. Manager intimated that I wasn't being "professional" (not cursing or yelling on my part... just flabbergasted that it's this hard to hand Dicks money), and threw his staff under the bus -"I thought my employee could handle this" (I wasn't looking to be "handled" just wanted to buy a bike). He also said " I was going to offer you a discount". I explained I do not want a discount... I just want the bike so I can go riding with my wife this weekend. Didn't matter. I asked if it could be transferred to Roanoke in the box. He said that if Roanoke "wanted to get in trouble they could" and announced he had to go pick up his brother. Told him to drive safely. OK, is there another manager? 2nd manager refused to sell me the bike. Can you transfer to Roanoke? 2nd Manager (Ryan... although I don't believe this is how he spells it) said he would if it was OK with the Roanoke manager and even offered to drive it down in his personal vehicle after his shift (well done Ryan). Didn't matter because the manager in Roanoke would only do this if I picked it up at closing time. Can't I pick it up tomorrow? Only if it's "9AM sharp". But I'm out of town. Didn't matter. Roanoke manager "didn't want it on their floor". So I have to pick it up by appointment at your convenience rather than tomorrow afternoon? Didn't matter. What gives? Obviously not a liability thing- they were happy to sell me the bike in the box as long as I was willing to wait a day, go to a different city, and show up precisely when they preferred (when I was out of town). As they had told me the regional manager was coming into town and the communication seemed to oddly revolve around winning rather than selling me the bike I told the 2nd manager to give my number to the regional manager and that we could either work the issue out (wherein I simply hand someone a credit card and receive a bike) or I would just return the items purchased last week (incl. helmet, gloves, chain, vehicle rack, etc ). If I could have returned the first bike I would have (although it wasn't ridden it had been purchased over 24 hours ago). Interestingly, I was told that 24 hours was the policy but the store manager could override the policy. So the manager can override policy? Uh... OK. Having spent an hour and a half of my life attempting to buy an in-stock item, my desire to attempt to assist a third manager in a second store to understand this incredibly flawed internal logic had vanished. No call from the district manager yet so in the end I returned the above items to the Roanoke store as bike accessories do me no good without a bike. Despite my best efforts, and an hour and a half of my life, I could not hand anyone at Dicks my money today. Weird.

Love this place. Personally, as a nascar fan there's not many places where you can get collectibles…read morelike diecast without buying online. But this place has it all. If you do like sports of any sort, not only nascar, this place will have something you like, guaranteed. If you're in the area, check them out. You won't be disappointed.

Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Lots of fun stuff for sports fans on every budget. They go out…read moreof the way to find particular items of interest if you name your favorite team or player. Super family friendly and lots to shop through.

Quality merchandise for all your outdoor and active needs. They have the brands like Patagonia,…read moreKuhl and Duck Head among others that I really appreciate for their durability. Good service by staff who assisted me. I was in the market for a vest and found a few options. The prices are steep for quality, but I tend to be ok with that. They are a large store that also has all your outdoor footwear and sock needs too! Nothing but praise for this chain store. Next time in town will return.

Walkabout Outfitter is a family-owned small business that specializes in high-quality, trusted…read morebrands of outdoor clothes, footwear, backpacking and hiking gear, as well as camping equipment and outdoors afficionado supplies. Conveniently located on Market Street in Downtown Roanoke, it is the go-to place for all Outdoor Adventurors no matter their age or level of expertise. They have a friendly and knowledgeable staff who are always available and willing to help you find the correct item depending on your needs at the moment. Besides their quality outdoorsmenship products, they offer competitive prices, as well as seasonal sales. Weather you're a local looking for an outdoors adventure in the Apalatian Trail or a tourist that are visiting to take advantage of our outdoor recreational resources, I highly recommend you give them a visit. You'll be happy that you did, and you'll be prepared with the equipment that you need for a successful journey in the outdoors.

Associates are very helpful; store is clean and orderly. Great shoes yet I can't ever seem to find…read morewhat I want in my size much less a second pair to get the 50% off. It would appear that men sizes 11-12, normal width are just not replenished at the same rate as customer demands. This is a great store if you have small feet.

The stitching on one shoe is coming apart. Yes they are one year old but the quality is terrible…read more The outlet agreed there was a problem but they won't do anything if they are over 90 days old. This is poor customer service and I have purchased my last pair.

First time at Fleet Feet store and was thoroughly impressed with every single detail of their…read moreoperation in Roanoke. I popped in to purchase a pair of Hoka's that were on hold for me while the n town this weekend. I came into the store not expecting much and was wowed! A huge floor space that does not served overcrowded. However a tremendous inventory of shoes, socks and other merchandise. I also picked up a few pair of Feetures socks, but they have several different brands too. I was disappointed they had few selections in Large. I found it cool that they have a 3D in sole maker. I've never seen one before. Several staff asked me for help as I browsed. I tried my shoes on with personal attention loosening the string and tying them up. I've yet to get this level of service from even my own local store at home. Checkout was smooth and I was enrolled in their rewards program. You can use the points for online purchases too! I thought the overall value of my purchase was very good. My items were quality, not cheap and I'm fine with this. Now as I travel I will look for Fleet Feet. But I feel certain Roanoke has something special going on.

Friendly staff great service , first time here have recommended to friends. Bought shoes, inserts…read moreand socks, very comfortable.

I have long been a customer at Eddie Bauer, buying clothes for my wife and myself over many years…read more When we went to the store today to exchange a shirt for a different size from a Christmas gift- we got a second shirt which resulted in having to pay a difference in the original cost of the shirt. Apparently US currency is no longer accepted at the store. I am sure covid is the excuse, but people are in the store touching things, bringing in drinks, returning clothes, etc... It is just an excuse not to use cash. If I hadnt had to pay the difference, I would have left with no purchase.

From the owner: Eddie Bauer is an outdoor brand offering performance outerwear, apparel, footwear, accessories, and…read moregear that is built to last. For more than 100 years, Eddie Bauer has been inspiring, enabling and empowering people to live their adventure.

There are many classes of men's fine clothing stores, but Davidsons is in a class by itself. And…read morethis is precisely what attracted me to it in the first place. After being awarded the Triad Yelper of the Year 2024 Award at the Yelpies Award Ceremony last year, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, I decided that it would be appropriate this year to go back to this restaurant and write a follow-up review, since my initial review was one of my reviews that contributed to me obtaining this highly esteemed Award. A few months ago, the third generation owner of Davidsons announced that Davidsons Men's Clothing, a long-standing family-owned menswear retailer established in Roanoke in 1910 will be sold to R. Coffee Ltd., a menswear store based in Lynchburg, Virginia. The new owner has expressed his commitment to preserving the legacy and traditions of Davidsons, ensuring a seamless transition for its customers. The Roanoke store will continue to operate under the Davidsons name and will retain its current staff, brands, and personalized services. The new owner plans to introduce new opportunities for growth, such as bringing in some new brands while keeping Davidsons' established lines, and merging the websites of both stores to allow for online shopping. Currently the Men's Clothing store is having a 30% Off Sale on everything in the store, including Suites, Sport Coats, Dress and Casual Pants, Shoes, Accessories, and Sportswear. After hearing about the sale I decided to go check it out, especially to check on some Magnanni fine leather shoes that were hardly never on sale that I loved and was looking forward to purchasing. Once there, Sales Associate Lydia took good care of me, finding my size of the Magnanni model shoe I liked and helping me try them on. Since they tend to run big. Size eight and a half was the perfect size for me. I took advantage of the sale which made the shoes more affordable to purchase. Lydia even gave me a Davidsons complimentary shoe horn with the shoes I ended up buying. If you're like me who like the very best in men's clothing and accessories, as well as exceptional customer service, I highly recommend this store to you.

What a fantastic store! It's like stepping back in time where men dress distinguished and customer…read moreservice is important. Yet, all the clothes in this store are modern cuts and divinely soft fabrics. My husband and I popped in because we saw a shirt we liked in the window and we had a wonderful experience with the owner who provided excellent recommendations and perfect customer service. We chose a couple shirts and pants and my husband really loves the items he purchased. This store is on the pricey side, but they really provide top notch service and the clothing is high quality.

I like American Eagle clothes but the employees in this store are enough to keep me out forever!…read more They are all what look to be 18 year old high school, perhaps getting ready for college, girls who are RUDE. They act as if asking any questions or even asking for a fitting room is a waste of their time. They will absolutely not be getting any of my money at this particular store! I do not recommend.

Definitely a great place to shop around if you're in the downtown Roanoke area. Such a nicely…read moreappointed interior with antiques strewn throughout. Lives up to the general store tradition selling clothing, cookware, souvenirs and snacks!

One of the most beautiful store in Downtown Roanoke and with the greatest variety of merchandise is…read moreThe Mast General Store. Located in the corner of S. Jefferson Street and Church Avenue this store provides friendly service, and a great selection of quality products at fair prices, and often offer sales to make it easier for customers to obtain their desired item at an affordable price. There is something for everyone at the Mast General Store: a great selection of preserves, butters, jams, jellies, clothing, footwear, outdoor gear, candies, old-time favorites, and the latest styles and products of over 600 brands. Here one can find some unique and hard-to-find gifts. Just view my photographs accompanying this review and you can get a better sense of everything one can find here. I highly recommend this large department store for a nostalgic shopping experience. One you'll never forget, and would want to come back for more.