ROANOKE RAPIDS — “We’re excited they have come full circle,” said Sherry Wade, secretary of the Roanoke Avenue Business Alliance. “These guys supported us in our attempt to earn our Main Street designation. They are one of the first businesses to move over.”

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And then with a simple cut of the ribbon Wednesday morning, Travel Leaders came full circle in their support of Roanoke Avenue.

After being in business since 1984, the travel agency has moved from their location on East 10th Street to 1039 Roanoke Avenue. The Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce hosted the ceremony.

Before Roanoke Rapids received its recent Main Street designation, Travel Leaders owners and staff wrote a letter of support and pledged to move to the Avenue.

Wade, “We’re just pleased to have them. It’s a wonderful fit.”

Roanoke Rapids received the designation on Sept. 23 with it representing a huge step forward in the city’s efforts to revitalize Roanoke Avenue.

After the ribbon cutting, RABA President Kim Simpson, Wade and other members presented Travel Leaders Office Manager and Certified Travel Specialist Greg Shaffer and Travel Consultant Trudy Duke with a certificate recognizing their contribution to and membership with RABA.

“We are so excited to be on The Avenue,” Shaffer said.

Travel Leaders is a travel agency which helps customers obtain airline tickets, hotel accommodations, cruises, rental cars, tours and help with passports. “Anything having to do with travel, we can help you,” Shaffer said.

Shaffer said when they heard about Roanoke Rapids trying to seek the Main Street designation, they knew they had to write a letter.

In the letter written in July, Shaffer wrote, “As a lifelong resident of Roanoke Rapids and a businessman, it has sadden me to see the abandonment of our business district. The condition of the buildings along Roanoke Avenue and the fact that several of these buildings are currently being used for storage facilities are key factors in the deterioration of the heart of our city.”

Shaffer and Trudy Duke, a travel consultant, are staff at the business. It is owned by Mark and Pam Seagle of High Point. The Seagles also have locations in High Point, Holly Springs, Raleigh and Clemson.

Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The phone number is 537-0513 and other hours are available by appointment.

Shaffer said a popular misconception people have about travel agents is you have to pay a fee when seeking their help. He assures everyone there is no upfront fees.

Kelly Barber, who owns the building where Travel Leaders is and member of RABA, said Shaffer and Duke are the hometown team with many years of experience.

She said many people think they are getting a better deal by buying online. “By not using hometown people, you are not keeping travel dollars in Roanoke Valley,” Barber said.

Shaffer said in the future, they hope to have a cruise night and travel trivia night and possibly creating a travel club. “It’s going to be a lot of good things,” he said.

Even with the economy being slow, Travel Leaders has maintained, Shaffer said. “We’re the first thing to go as far as a luxury item so it has impacted us,” he said.

But, he added, there has never been a better time to travel. “The deals are ridiculous,” Shaffer said. “The economy is bad for the travel industry but great for consumers.”

Some examples he gave included a four-day cruise for a family of four for $1,170 or four day cruise for two for $644.   

Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce President Allen Purser said Travel Leaders has been a part of the community for a long time.

“They do a lot for the community and the chamber,” he said. “We appreciate all that they do.”