Work has begun to transform two former Circuit City stores in the Richmond area into locations for consumer-electronics and appliance retailer hhgregg. Indianapolis-based hhgregg will open two stores by Thanksgiving.

Columbus, Ohio-based Donatos is counting on people’s love for pizza as it looks to expand into the Richmond market. The chain, which opened in 1963, wants to open as many as 20 franchised-owned restaurants in the area. The company now has about 180 company-owned and franchised-owned restaurants in six states—Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Alabama, North Carolina and South Carolina.

Retailers reported heavier-than-usual traffic this weekend as shoppers hit stores to avoid paying state sales tax on back-to-school and other items. Officials from Richmond-area malls, locally owned stores and big-box chains reported increased sales and consumer traffic. From Friday through Sunday, the state waived the 5 percent sales tax on school supplies priced less than $20 and clothes and shoes less than $100. A provision in the law allowed all retailers to absorb the tax if they chose to participate.

With lighted columns in the lobby, a second-floor terrace complete with swimming pool, and high-end lighting in the halls, the new Hotel Sierra seems more like a boutique hotel in Manhattan than an extended-stay lodge backing up to a Dick’s Sporting Goods. But the latter is exactly what it is. The Hotel Sierra is at the rear of the Short Pump Town Center, across the walkway from the Baker’s Crust Café. The hotel, which opened about two months ago, will hold an invitation-only open house on Thursday.

Merchants along Libbie and Grove avenues are working on ways to market the shopping district. The area, populated by about 60 businesses on the intersecting avenues in the West End, is a destination shopping spot but does not have as high a profile as Carytown.

Shoppers came out in force yesterday, drawn to Richmond-area malls by the promise of deep discounts from retailers looking to make up for less-than-jolly pre-holiday sales.

A Prince George County woman has been charged with stealing a safe late last month from KB Toys in Chesterfield Towne Center, where she once worked. Delphine E. Kitchen, 49, of the 5100 block of Berkshire Drive was charged with grand larceny and breaking and entering with the intent to commit a felony. Kitchen is accused of stealing the safe and its contents sometime Nov. 29 or Nov. 30. “It could be picked up by one person,“ said Chesterfield police Lt. Tim Smith.

Working out of her Chesterfield County kitchen, Bernie Richardson has turned her hobby into a business poised on breaking into the big time. Richardson owns Bernie’s Baked Goods. The company, which started about eight years ago after friends told Richardson she should charge for what she bakes, sells made-to-order cakes, pies, cookies and wedding cakes.

Working out of her Chesterfield County kitchen, Bernie Richardson has turned her hobby into a business poised on breaking into the big time. Richardson owns Bernie’s Baked Goods. The company, which started about eight years ago after friends told Richardson she should charge for what she bakes, sells made-to-order cakes, pies, cookies and wedding cakes.