The Vinton Advance Auto Parts store had the ribbon cutting ceremony for its re-opening on Nov. 19. Here is more information from the Roanoke County Economic Development Office:

Advance Auto Parts celebrated the grand re-opening of the Vinton store on Thursday, November 19th at 10:00 a.m. at 401 E. Washington Avenue. Recently, the original retail store had been demolished and a new store was constructed about 100 feet away. Twenty-four job positions were retained in the demolition/expansion and three new positions were added.

The Vinton Advance Auto Parts store held the original opening in May 1986 and was the 100th store for the Advance Auto corporation. Today, in 2009, Advance Auto has 3,400 stores nationwide. President Jim Wade, Former CEO and President Garnett Smith, County Administrator Clay Goodman, Town Manager Chris Lawrence and Vinton Chamber President Hal Mabe all shared their congratulations from the podium to the store’s staff. Advance Auto also presented a check for $3,800,000 to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation during the event. Vinton General Manager, Blair Clinebell Jr., cut the ribbon during the ribbon cutting ceremony and Clay Goodman and Chris Lawrence presented a framed certificate of appreciation to Jim Wade in honor of the Vinton store. The next day, David Page and Q-Bear helped celebrate the Grand Opening with the Q99/Valleydale Diner and the Q99 Prize Wheel for huge savings at the new store.

You can view our photos in the slideshow above or in this gallery format. Photos were taken by Joe Zielinski.