The event was held at the Williamsburg Community Building with roughly 30 community members in attendance.

Joining Wittman in the conversation were Patrick Hartig, assistant special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Norfolk District Office; Adam Brown, senior director for student services for Williamsburg-James City County Schools; and Dr. Mia McCoy, substance use disorder quality manager for the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.

The focus of the seminar was on the misuse of opioids, namely fentanyl, that are being distributed illegally. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is roughly 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Wittman stated that currently 85% of drug-related deaths are caused by opioids; 112,000 deaths in the United States more than a year ago were due to the misuse of fentanyl.

“This is a national crisis and we have to figure out how to address it,” said Wittman, adding that opioid use and addiction has become “pervasive throughout society,” affecting young and old alike. “It is an unbelievable situation we find ourselves in.”

Hartig pointed out that the misuse of the fentanyl the DEA is trying to battle is being tampered with and smuggled into the country illegally by drug cartels in Mexico. It’s becoming more widely available and cheap, which “makes it a difficult crisis for us to deal with,” he said. “I’ve never seen a greater, more dangerous threat than fentanyl.”

Fentanyl poisoning is now the leading cause of death among Americans ages 18 to 25. It is ingested as a pill or a powder. Hartig cautioned against taking any pill that is not prescribed by a doctor and dispensed at a pharmacy because “I can guarantee you that a pill that comes from any other source probably contains fentanyl,” he said.

McCoy noted that the COVID-19 pandemic “exacerbated” substance use and misuse, including opioids, though since January 2023, there has been “a downward trend in the use and overdose of opioids,” she said. “There is hope.”

WJCC Schools works with families when students are caught using opioids, though often students aren’t aware of what it is they are actually taking.

“A lot of times students don’t know and I hear them say, ‘I had no idea that is what I was taking,’’ Brown said.

Education and prevention are key to controlling the opioid problem, Wittman said. Wittman, who represents Virginia’s 1st District, worked for the Virginia Department of Public Health for more than 25 years and currently serves as co-chair of the Congressional Public Health Caucus.

Wittman has supported many laws to combat the opioid epidemic, including the Protecting Americans from Fentanyl Trafficking Act, which permanently places fentanyl-related substances as a Schedule I controlled substance; and Sammy’s Law, which requires third-party software on social media platforms that alerts parents when their children are exposed to harmful material, including drugs.

Wittman pointed out that it will take everyone to help with the issue, which includes knowing the warning signs of addiction.

“This is a community-based effort,” he said.

Brown added that parents and students should also be attentive when it comes to the opioid crisis.

“Even if you are not sure, say something,” he said.

Brandy Centolanza, bcentolanza@cox.net

Perfect Touch brows specializes in a variety of beauty services including eyebrow threading, eyelash extensions, brow tinting and skin care. Kalad also operates a location at Patrick Henry Mall in Newport News.

“What sets us apart is our commitment to personalized service, attention to detail and creating a comfortable experience for our clients,” Kalad said. “We believe that enhancing natural beauty is an art, and our skilled master skin care specialists and technicians bring precision and creativity to every service.”

The goal with the opening of the new location is to “become a trusted beauty destination in Williamsburg,” he added. “We want to create a welcoming space where clients can relax, enjoy our services and leave feeling fabulous. Additionally, we’re committed to giving back to the community. A portion of our skin care product sales will be donated to support local initiatives and organizations. We’re excited to connect with the Williamsburg community and make a positive impact.”

Other new stores at the outlets include Casa Furniture, which had a soft opening last weekend, and Perfume Hut, which opened this month near Ben & Jerry’s.

Casa Furniture is planning a grand opening Aug. 1 to officially introduce the furniture store, which specializes in living room sets and mattresses. The store, located near Movado and Tommy Hilfiger, is owned and operated by Spiro Laousis, a U.S. Army veteran who started as a retailer in the furniture industry after leaving the military.

Laousis said the goal with the location is to cater to those in the military as well as to the growing Hispanic population in the community.

“Our first three customers were Spanish (speaking), which was amazing,” he said. “This is a perfect match for us.”

Laousis also has plans to open locations at other outlets in Maryland as well as in Norfolk and Winchester.

“I love working with the customers and talking to them and helping them out,” he said. “It gives me a jolt of energy and really makes me happy.”

For more information on Williamsburg Premium Outlets, visit premiumoutlets.com/outlet/williamsburg.

Kitchen Tune-Up franchise wins national award

Craig and Shelley Smith, owners of Kitchen Tune-Up Hampton Roads New Kent County, were honored with the Franny of the Year award at the company’s national reunion, which was held in June in Minneapolis. The award is presented to the top overall franchisee of Kitchen Tune-Up. The Smiths were recognized for their performance in 2023 in sales and customer service, as well as for their delivery of exceptional service offerings.

“We love to recognize and honor the achievements of our Tunies,” said Heidi Morrissey, president of Kitchen Tune-Up, in a news release. “Each location puts so much into their business and strives to make every project their best yet. … Craig, Shelley, and their dedicated family members and team have always exemplified the Kitchen Tune-Up spirit and shown themselves to be amongst our strongest franchises.”

Craig Smith said receiving the award was an honor. “Our family loves the work we do and it’s fulfilling to be recognized for our efforts.”

Kitchen Tune-Up Hampton Roads New Kent County is located at 1629 Merrimac Trail. For more information, visit kitchentuneup.com/williamsburg-va.

Dots & Dashes

• Heather Hughes Photography will host a photography summer camp at Catalillies Play Café, located at 551 Merrimac Trail in James-York Plaza, from July 31 to Aug. 2.  The camp, designed for children ages 7-12, will be held 10 a.m. to noon each day and include instruction on how to capture everyday objects on camera, crafts and more. For more information, visit heatherhughesphotography.com/kids-photo-camp.
• Williamsburg SCORE will host the free workshop, “How to start and manage your own business,” on July 30 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Williamsburg Regional Library. The workshop will cover business planning, legalities of starting a business, creating a budget, financing, how to define your product or service and your target customer base and more. For more information, call 757.229.6511 or email info.williamsburg@scorevolunteer.org.
• Charles City County will host its inaugural Chillin’ in Charles City event Aug. 2-4. The event will include musical performances, an artisan market and more at various establishments throughout the county. For more information, visit visitcharlescity.org.

Brandy Centolanza, bcentolanza@cox.net

The county first approved the marketplace about two years ago as a way to revitalize the community, said Cynthia Boone, economic development and tourism manager for Charles City County.

“Market 5 is not just a new retail space; it’s a cornerstone of our vision for the future of Charles City,” Boone said. “Our goal is to create a space where small businesses and inspiring entrepreneurs can thrive and where the community can gather, enjoy and celebrate together.”

In October 2022, Charles City approved an agreement with Roxbox, a Colorado-based company that is considered an industry leader for custom shipping container structures that are utilized as space for restaurants and shops. The local project will emulate similar shipping container shopping centers that are popular in larger cities like Las Vegas, Detroit and Tampa, Florida.

Market 5, the first of its kind in Virginia, will feature a variety of vendors, artisans and food stalls operating out of six mobile shipping container units that are equipped with heating, air and electricity. The marketplace will include a concession stand, a restaurant and retail spaces, as well as a stage for entertainment and events. Eventually, the county would also like to host a farmers market at the site.

“We are looking forward to the positive impact this will have on our economy,” said Frank Crawley, owner of Hawks BBQ, one of the vendors at Market 5. “It’s a great opportunity for us to showcase our products and connect with new customers.”

Slated to open in August, the market will be located along Route 5 adjacent to the Virginia Capital Trail. A goal is for it to be a destination for locals and tourists alike.

The shipping container units were delivered at the end of June. Although an exact opening date hasn’t been announced, the county is gearing up for a grand opening celebration. County officials are thrilled about the new attraction and what it will bring to the area.

“This is a monumental step forward for Charles City County,” County Administrator Michelle Johnson said. “Market 5 exemplifies our commitment to innovation, community engagement and economic growth. We are excited to see the positive impact it will have on our residents and local businesses. It is going to be something special.”

Three retail shipping container units that are 288 square feet are still available for lease, as well as a restaurant unit that is 133 square feet. For more information on leasing, contact Boone at 804-652-4708 or cboone@charlescityva.us. For more information on Market 5, visit visitmarket5.com.

Brandy Centolanza, bcentolanza@cox.net

The new office will enable the organization to continue to grow, as well as expand some of its events, including its signature Santa photo fundraiser, which Williamsburg Downtown hosts during the holiday season, said interim director Katherine Bailey.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on June 25 for the new office, which is located located at 218 N. Boundary St. near Skinner Law Office. Leslie Skinner is the new board president of Williamsburg Downtown.

The new space will offer more room to work on the organization’s local history project and to conduct board and staff meetings, as well as provide space for storage for Williamsburg Downtown’s seasonal events. Additionally, the new office will be transformed into a house for Santa when the photo fundraiser begins in November.

Williamsburg Downtown also recently hired Ashley Morris as chief of staff and Stephanie Sanchez-Aguilar as web designer. Bailey, who has been a part of the organization since nearly the beginning, said she’s excited for what’s to come for Williamsburg Downtown.

“I started as part of this board as a long-time community member and mother of five who really just wanted to help create some community events for the benefit of this small part of the universe that I love so much,” she said.

For more information, visit williamsburgdowntown.com.

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Goodwill opening second location in Williamsburg

Goodwill will open a second location in Greater Williamsburg this fall. The new store will be located at 4501 News Road in the space that was formerly occupied by a Rite Aid pharmacy.

According to Laura E. Faison, a spokesperson for Goodwill of Central & Coastal Virginia, the new store will offer a drive-thru for donations, as well as 10,000 square feet of retail space. It will employ more than 20 workers.

Goodwill’s original Williamsburg location at 1310 Richmond Road will remain open. An exact opening date has not been determined, though a ribbon cutting and grand opening event is in the works. For more information on Goodwill of Central & Coastal Virginia, visit goodwillvirginia.org.

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En Pointe Dance Academy relocates to new studio

En Pointe Dance Academy has expanded with the recent opening of a new studio space in Victory Village Shopping Center off Mooretown Road. The new studio is 1,000 square feet larger than its previous location on Richmond Road.

“This location is convenient for our dancers traveling from New Kent or West Point, as it is right off of the 64 or 60 interchanges,” owner Rebekah Keese said. “It’s easily accessible to our Williamsburg and James City County dancers. It also boasts opportunities for our parents who sometimes spend a few hours waiting for their child to complete their classes to run errands without leaving the general area of the studio.”

The new studio will offer more room for dancers, as well as a lobby area for parents who wish to stay on-site, Keese said.

“Having more space means we can welcome new dancers into the En Pointe Dance Academy family,” she said. “We can offer new and different classes. We can reach and teach more children. For my entire career as a studio owner, I have dedicated myself to the overall health and well-being of my dancers, and I think this updated space gives us so many more opportunities to explore how we can continue to keep our dancers safe, healthy, happy and thriving.”

The studio’s new dance season starts in August. For more information, visit enpointedanceva.com.

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Edmarc opens location in Williamsburg

A ribbon-cutting event was held July 9 for Edmarc’s new facility on Monticello Avenue. The Portsmouth-based nonprofit organization provides services to terminally ill children and their families. Edmarc, which has been in operation for more than four decades, first announced plans to open an office in Greater Williamsburg two years ago due to demand on the Peninsula.

Edmarc provides a variety of services for families, including support for expecting parents whose child is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness before birth, in-home care for sick children from infancy through the age of 18, nursing, social and volunteer support, bereavement and other services. The organization was established in 1978 by Dr. Allen Hogge and his wife, Joan, who needed hospice care for their terminally ill son.

Edmarc’s new office in Williamsburg is located at 5220 Monticello Ave., Suite 201. For more information, visit edmarc.org.

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Dots & Dashes

• A ribbon cutting was held at the end of June for Shear Excellence, a new family barber shop. The business, owned by Stephanie Ravillos, is located at 5242 Olde Towne Road.
• Williamsburg Winery will host a Christmas in July indoor vendor market from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. The event will feature local vendors for early holiday shopping, light bites, spiced wines and other treats as well as a visit from Santa. For more information, visit Williamsburg Winery’s Facebook page at facebook.com/events/474070045235053.
• Williamsburg Launchpad is accepting applications for its Venture Acceleration Program, a six-week cohort program designed for early-stage businesses that have already achieved initial traction with revenue and customers and are poised for significant growth. Deadline to apply for the program is July 25, with the program starting Aug. 1. For more information, visit wm.edu/offices/entrepreneurship/explore/launchpad.
• Strangeways Brewing is hosting a “Business and Brews” business networking event on July 25 starting at 5 p.m. The event will feature complimentary tastings and raffle prizes. For more information, visit the Strangeways Brewing Facebook page at facebook.com/events/450283627901279.
• Virginia Peninsula Community College will host a lunch-and-learn session on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the college’s Trades Center in Toano. The session will focus on marine skilled trades, manufacturing trades, transportation , allied health and information technology (cybersecurity). VPCC’s Trades Center is located at 236 Industrial Blvd. For more information, call 757-825-4070 or email wfdinq@vpcc.edu.

Brandy Centolanza, bcentolanza@cox.net

Rumors that the eatery had closed permanently and had been sold by Nikolaos Sarantakos, also known as Nick Saras, and his family are untrue.

“Oh, no,” Saras said with a big laugh. “I’m making it new!”

The restaurant at 1632 Richmond Road opened in 1975 “and had never been remodeled,” Saras said. “I wanted new everything. New plumbing. New painting. New drainage. New parking lot.”

However, more important to him was a new interior. Saras is waiting on approval from the city for the new construction plans with a new façade, new roof and new interior.

Why didn’t Saras just tear down the old structure and build a new one?

“Sometimes you make a mistake,” he joked. “Looking now at the cost, maybe I should have built a new one, maybe that would have been easy.”

However, he stressed that checking “on everything as it is built” is important for him. His customers “know the building, they know the quality and we want that to continue.”

As the project develops, Saras is at the restaurant site every day, making sure “the best products are being incorporated — best wiring, best everything is being done.”

He even has had the walls in the building taken down to the studs because he wanted to make sure they were still strong and had not rotted.

Saras said he’s not in a rush, but said Seafare will hopefully reopen this fall.

Saras, 84, came to Williamsburg in 1961 from Sparta, Greece, and stayed to develop his businesses. “I first came to Newport News and visited Williamsburg and liked it here. I also visited New York and Chicago. Maybe I would put a restaurant there, but they were big cities. I decided Williamsburg was best for me,” he explained.

His first restaurant was The Ivy House at 1342 Richmond Road, originally owned and operated (1948-1961) by David and Emily Rutledge. The 7 Mares Mexican Grill is now located on the site.

The Sarantakos family business group now incorporate three restaurants: Seafare; Kephi, across the street from Seafare and managed by his Nick’s son Dimitrios; and Route 60 Barbeque Market, located alongside Seafare and managed by son Marinos; and two hotels, the Hilton Garden Inn on Richmond Road behind The Seafare and Hampton Inn and Suites on Bypass Road, managed by son Antonios.

New CW golf course breaks ground

Colonial Williamsburg Resorts broke ground Tuesday on The Shoe, a new nine-hole, par 3 golf course.

Created by golf course designer Rees Jones, The Shoe will be constructed on part of the property that once was the Spotswood course, part of a trio of courses at The Golden Horseshoe Golf Club. Jones also designed the Gold and Green courses.

Colonial Williamsburg initially planned to redevelop the Spotswood course as residential housing, but the idea was dropped after community backlash. The Shoe is estimated to be completed by summer 2025.

House of Seven clothing store closes in Midtown Row

After a little more than a year in business, a women’s clothing store in Midtown Row has permanently closed.

House of Seven boutique, located at 100 College Row, announced on social media on June 19 that it will be closing. The store, which specialized in a variety of women’s apparel and accessories including plus sizes up to 3X, first opened in December 2022.

A social media post indicated that “we do have something new and excited coming in its place, so stay tuned.”

House of Seven boutique is owned and operated by Ashley Wallace, who also runs Salon Seven, a hair salon also in Midtown Row.

Chamber honors businesses during annual meeting

Several businesses and individuals were recognized by the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce during the organization’s annual meeting on June 20. Bob Hershberger was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, while Defiant Direct Primary Care was honored as Health Promoter of the Year. Ron Campana of Campana Waltz Commercial Real Estate-WEST was recognized as Membership Star of the Year. The Early-Stage Business of the Year honor went to Collision Correction, while Zack Kirkpatrick of The Junkluggers and Remix Market Williamsburg was named Emerging Leader of the Year; Lawrence Gholson of Inner Peace Coalition was named Entrepreneur of the Year; and The Virginia Beer Company was named Small Business of the Year.

Dots & Dashes

• Victoria’s Day Spa, located at 2847 Denbigh Blvd. in Yorktown, is rebranding under new ownership. The business will now be operated by Lisa Fletcher as Blue Velvet Spa and Boutique. A reopening date will be announced soon.
• A ribbon-cutting was held on June 21 for Logue & Associates, a health services provider catering to residents and veterans in the Williamsburg area. The business, located at 1769 Jamestown Road, is owned by Valerie Moorer, a U.S. Army veteran and retired Veterans Affairs nurse.
• A ribbon-cutting ceremony was recently held for Montage at Marquis Hills, a new luxury apartment complex that will be located at The Marquis mixed use development. It will be the first project in the Williamsburg area for GW Real Estate Partners.
• Virginia Peninsula Community College announced that Michelle Alexander has been named dean of public safety, allied health and human services. Alexander has been a faculty member of the college’s health, physical education and wellness department since 2010.
• Elite Shine Services will host a community back-to-school event at Cambridge Crossing Assisted Living, 251 Patriot Lane, on July 20 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will feature a school supplies and backpack giveaway, food trucks, games, music, entertainment, free haircuts, face painting and more. For more details, visit brand.site/eliteshineservices/our-services.

Wilford Kale, kalehouse@aol.com

Brandy Centolanza, bcentolanza@cox.net

“We had a big field with olive trees, fruit trees and grapevines,” said Rinaldi, who started as the new executive chef at The Williamsburg Winery’s restaurant, Gabriel Archer Tavern, in May. “I spent weekends in the field helping him and became accustomed to growing and picking fresh fruits and vegetables. I was also fascinated by the whole process of making olive oil. That all jump-started my interest in cooking.”

Rinaldi later honed his skills at the Ferdinando Martini culinary school and worked in hotels and at an olive oil factory near his hometown of Montecatini Terme before moving to the United States in 2005. With more than two decades of cooking experience in Italian, French, molecular and other cuisines, he worked at various restaurants in the Washington, D.C., area, including the Michelin-star establishments Minibar, Bresca and Jont before he and his wife, Amber, relocated to Williamsburg.

“We would visit Williamsburg and The Williamsburg Winery often, so we have known the place for some time,” he said. “When this opportunity came along, we felt it was the right moment to move.”

Rinaldi’s goals as the new executive chef are simple: to build a strong team while creating flavorful dishes with fresh ingredients, as well as have the ability to source fresh ingredients just like his father did.

“That is our working goal,” he said. “We are changing up a few of the dishes we offer here. I am looking forward to putting my own touch into the food.”

In welcoming Rinaldi to the winery, Chief Operating Officer Michael Kokolis said Rinaldi would help Gabriel Archer Tavern continue the tradition of “delicious simplicity.”

“We are excited to welcome Chef Riccardo Rinaldi to our team,” Kokolis said in a statement. “His extensive background and passion for both oenology and the culinary arts pair perfectly with our commitment to providing unique and exceptional dining experiences.”

Rinaldi’s dishes will be showcased later this month when The Williamsburg Winery presents “An Evening Al Fresco with Chef Riccardo Rinaldi,” on July 23 beginning at 6:30 p.m. The event, which is sold out, will feature a four-course dinner with wine pairings, including the winery’s new release, the 2023 Wessex Hundred Albariño.

While the menu is still being finalized, Rinaldi said the meal will likely include dishes featuring burrata cheese, octopus, a paella and fresh peaches.

“I’m really looking forward to our guests enjoying a nice dinner outside overlooking the vineyard and having them just sit back and relax, sip wine and enjoy some great food,” Rinaldi said.

His plan for Gabriel Archer Tavern, as well as other dining areas on the Wessex Hundred property, is to create seasonal dishes that complement the wines. He also hopes to bring oysters back to the menu. A few years ago, the tavern hosted a popular “Wine and Brine” lounge during oyster season.

“We definitely want to incorporate more seafood,” he said. “We want to grow this place to be, culinarily speaking, a different experience almost every day of the week. That is what we want to achieve.”

Brandy Centolanza, bcentolanza@cox.net

The Lafayette High School alumna — who recently moved back to Williamsburg from Orlando — has worked for numerous entertainment companies through the years, including Sea World, Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, Nickelodeon, Disney, Universal Studios and others, along with a few cruise lines. She describes her role as an attraction designer as a combination of architecture, graphic design, interior design and artistry.

“My job is to figure out how people need to move through a space and what kind of story should be told in that space,” said Matheny, who started her own company in 2008. “I work with companies to help them communicate to people what they are about to experience and how they want to tell the story. There’s a lot of psychology involved. It’s important that it is not only visually appealing but also visually meaningful. You want people to leave feeling like they are connected to the experience.”

Locally, Matheny was an art director for the InvadR roller coaster, which opened at Busch Gardens Williamsburg in the spring of 2017. She was also involved with the creation of two coasters at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Tigris and Cobra’s Curse, as well as The Incredible Hulk Coaster at Universal Studios.

Additionally, Matheny was a part of the team that spearheaded a roller coaster at IMG Worlds of Adventure in Dubai, the world’s largest indoor theme park.

“I helped design nine coasters and I haven’t ridden any of them,” she said with a laugh. “I’m terrified.”

One of her favorite projects to date has been designing four of the five cruise ports in Port Royal, Jamaica. Matheny did extensive research on the town’s history to create a pirate-themed attraction. She worked with the Institute of Jamaica, a cultural center in Kingston, to learn more about the background of the country and presented the design to the prime minister of Jamaica.

“He approved it on the spot,” she said. “That was the biggest project I’ve ever done, one that took a lot of creativity. It was very fulfilling and rewarding. I like anything that is historical because there are so many stories to tell and deciding which stories to tell is the fun part.”

In addition to being an attraction designer, Matheny also started the nonprofit Slice Creative Network — slicecreativenetwork.com — to assist entertainment companies in connecting with creative talent freelancers on projects. Slice has helped more than 300 people in a variety of fields find jobs, including technical directors, illustrators and photographers.

Her current projects include converting an 18th-century prison on Grand Turk Island in Turks and Caicos into an escape room and redesigning a party barge in the U.S. Virgin Islands. She’s also working on a traveling interactive entertainment experience with a “Rick and Morty” theme, as well as a “top secret project at Universal Studios that is going to be huge,” she said.

This summer, Matheny is also overseeing the arts program during Busch Gardens’ new “Summer of Wonder,” working with local artists from the Williamsburg Arts Group to introduce guests to various media.

“Busch Gardens still gives me all those childhood memories from growing up here,” she said. “I feel so close to Busch Gardens and am proud to be working with them again.”

Learn more about Melody Matheny‘s work at melodymatheny.com.

Brandy Centolanza, bcentolanza@cox.net

Edward Harris got a tour of the motel on Capital Landing Road from Lyle Schiavone, whose Two Rivers Acquisitions company is renovating it to showcase Williamsburg’s unique charm and history.

Two Rivers Acquisitions LLC bought the 70-year-old motel, which sits on roughly 5 acres, in January. The renovations come at a time when Williamsburg is working to revitalize the Capital Landing corridor and connect businesses along Capitol Landing Road with others further down closer to Second Street in The Edge District.

Each of the 22 rooms in the motel is getting a complete overhaul, with fresh paint and furniture. A variety of rooms will be available, including adjoining family suites with bunk beds, as well as a larger suite with a kitchenette and private patio. Other amenities will include a patio with firepits, a new parking lot with chargers for electric vehicles and a separate building for storage for bicycles that guests can utilize during their stay.

The motel lobby will feature grab-and-go items for picnicking on the patio, as well as s’more kits and a bar. Schiavone and his sister Anna, who are overseeing the renovations, are also planning to collaborate with The Virginia Beer Company on an exclusive beer tentatively called “Rochambrew,” as well as Williamsburg Winery on a possible wine for the motel.

Lyle Schiavone, a Williamsburg native and developer who has experience with apartment complexes across Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C., said the goal will be eventually to expand in the rear of the property with cottages and an event space.

The remodel and reopening of the Rochambeau Roadside Inn is being made possible thanks to a revenue-sharing incentive that Williamsburg Economic Development Authority awarded Schiavone in October 2023. The incentive grants a percentage of the taxes that the Rochambeau will pay to the city over a five-year period, making it a performance-based revenue sharing agreement.

The incentive, which is capped at $99,000, is being used for exterior upgrades to modernize the building. The motel will receive the funding over time, after local sales and room taxes are paid. Williamsburg anticipates seeing more than $200,000 from taxes during the first five years of the motel’s operation.

The Schiavones plan to keep the motel’s former sign, which stands along the site of a walking trail that is under development.

“We see us as the base camp for those staying here as they get ready for adventure and get out there and explore,” Schiavone said. “We are excited and are going to have a lot of fun with this.”

Harris, who most recently served as president and CEO of Discover Lancaster in Pennsylvania, said he was equally thrilled about the upcoming reopening of Rochambeau Roadside Inn. He began his role Tuesday as CEO and president of Visit Williamsburg, the marketing organization for Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown.

“It is refreshing to see a brand-new product on the lodging front here in Williamsburg, especially ahead of the 250th anniversary of America,” Harris said. “There are a lot of new things on the horizon, with this and the new sports complex. Williamsburg will be going through a little bit of a renaissance over the next few years, and I am really excited to be a part of it.”

When Harris was selected for the role earlier this year after a nationwide search, he called the Historic Triangle region “one of the marquee destinations of the world for U.S. and international travelers” and said he was excited to help promote it.

The Schiavones anticipate reopening Rochambeau Roadside Inn in August. For updates, visit Rochambeau Roadside Inn’s Instagram page at instagram.com/stayrochambeau.

Brandy Centolanza, bcentolanza@cox.net

One new store has opened at Williamsburg Premium Outlets, with another store set to open in July.

iCollectables Popculture Emporium, a new collectible shop that specializes in Funko Pop toys, opened at the beginning of June in the space between Fragrance Outlet and As Seen on TV.  The store is owned by Andrew Mooney and his father, Chris.

Andrew Mooney first became interested in Funko Pops back in high school after receiving the “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” set as a gift. He and his father later started selling collectibles online and at comic-con events before deciding to open a storefront. The shop carries about 600 different Funko Pops ranging in price from $15 to a few hundred dollars for rare, limited-edition Pops.

“We have something for everyone, whether you are a casual collector or a hardcore collector,” Mooney said.

In addition to Funko Pop toys, iCollectables sells Star Wars and Marvel action figures, horror masks and props, posters and stuffed animals, as well as exotic snacks and drinks. Eventually, Mooney would also like to add LEGO sets to his inventory.

The goal of iCollectables is “to bring the comic-con experience to a store for those who can’t travel to comic-con,” Mooney said. “We want to bring in something different, something that you wouldn’t see in a big box store and make it fun when you walk through the door.”

iCollectables is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Meanwhile, on July 1, another store is slated to open near Vans Outlet and Columbia Factory Store. Zion’s Kreations & Kuisine is a new boutique store and snack bar that will specialize in plant-based treats, as well as holistic stones, crystals, Caribbean-inspired vegan cuisine, herbal teas, coffee and other wellness items, according to the Williamsburg Premium Outlets website.

For more information on the outlet stores, visit premiumoutlets.com/outlet/williamsburg.

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Furniture and mattress store opening at Williamsburg Pottery

North Carolina Furniture & Mattress, a staple on the Peninsula for more than 40 years, is opening a new location at Williamsburg Pottery.

The business, which first began in 1976 by Lloyd and Anne Julian, currently has a storefront in the Denbigh section of Newport News, with a second storefront scheduled to open in Building C of Williamsburg Pottery in July. The couple’s daughter, Katherine Evans, runs the family business as vice president.

“We have wanted to open a location in Williamsburg for years since we all live there and a large percentage of our customers live in James City County,” Evans said. “We looked at many locations in Williamsburg. When we toured the Pottery, we felt it was a great location, size and opportunity to open a business on that side of town where a lot of growth is happening. We feel it.”

The new store will offer the same furniture lines as the Newport News location in a larger gallery space and will showcase a variety of exclusive brands including Flexsteel, Stressless, Kincaid, Bassett, Canadel, Palliser, Norwalk and others.

“We are excited to be up in Williamsburg and bring new life to the Pottery,” Evans said.

The store is expected to open in early July, with a soft opening set for July 4 and a larger grand opening planned in the fall. For more information, visit ncfurniture.com.

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Gault opens location in Yorktown

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held Friday for Gault Electric, Generators, Solar & HVAC’s new location in Yorktown. The company, which began in 1995, recently opened a second location at 7815 George Washington Memorial Highway as its heating, ventilating and air conditioning, or HVAC, division continues to grow.

“The most exciting thing so far about opening this location is the brand awareness on such a busy street,” said co-owner Will Cannon. “We have had so many customers and friends say what a beautiful building it is.”

Gault’s main office is located at 806 City Center in Newport News. Cannon said a third location, which will also be in Newport News, will open in the fall with a focus on its solar operations. For more information, visit gaultelectric.com.

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Dots & Dashes

• Baker’s Crust Artisan Kitchen, located along Monticello Avenue in Settler’s Market, appears to have permanently closed. The restaurant closed a few weeks ago. Repeated messages to the company’s corporate office in Virginia Beach were not returned. The Williamsburg location, which first opened in 2009, is no longer listed on its website and the restaurant’s phone number is no longer active.
• Kimley-Horn and Associates Inc. recently leased 1,553 square feet of office space at Design Center, 4350 New Town Ave.
• The Centre of Movement & Performance is now open at 344 McLaws Circle in the space that was formerly PEAK Physical Therapy. The business provides services in physiotherapy, physiowellness, speed and agility camps, athletic training and development, performance fitness, personal fitness, marginal gains, InBody testing and more. For more information, call 757-564-7311.
• Earth Fare recently announced a partnership with Prime Roots, a plant-based deli meat brand. The grocery chain, which is committed to offering clean and sustainable food choices, has a location in Midtown Row at 208 Monticello Ave.
• Amber Ox Public House, located at 525 Prince George St., recently announced two staff changes. Ileana White has been promoted to executive chef, while Nicole Pereira has been named the new general manager.

Brandy Centolanza, bcentolanza@cox.net

Kristen Vann Griffith, owner of Kristen Vann Photography, recently expanded her services to add luxury elopement photography, jumping on a trend in which couples are forgoing a larger traditional wedding in favor of smaller weddings involving experiences.

“Elopements aren’t about running away in the middle of the night anymore,” she said. “More couples are doing adventure weddings. They are focusing more on experiences rather than a big party.”

Griffith, who first became interested in photography while working at Busch Gardens as a teen and launched her own business in 2016, had been primarily specializing in family photography until she did a wedding photo shoot in Colorado in 2022.

“It was so amazing, filled with so much love and beauty that I thought maybe this might be the direction where I wanted to go,” she said.

The luxury elopement trend is growing worldwide. Griffith’s dream is to capture adventure wedding moments in Iceland, one of her favorite places. She’s been to the country multiple times, where she’s taken workshops on elopement photography and done a few gigs, including one during a blizzard.

“Iceland is so pure and beautiful, with the Northern lights, the waterfalls,” she said. “It’s like you are on a different planet.”

She noted that elopement photography isn’t necessarily about traveling to an exotic destination. Memories can be captured locally as well.

“Even in Colonial Williamsburg, there are so many intimate spots where you can marry,” she said. “I really like the smaller weddings.”

In 2019, Griffith and her husband, Scott, had plans for a bigger wedding, but opted instead to marry at York River State Park, where her husband proposed, surrounded by a small group of family and friends.

“It was so intentional and intimate,” she said.

Griffith’s goal is to provide the same experience for her clients through her new services.

“It’s about enjoying the moment,” she said. “I love that I get to be invited to be a part of the most special moment of someone’s life and capture it.”

For more information on Griffith’s services, visit kristenvann.com.

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Coastal Thirst opening storefront at Yorktown waterfront

Jamie Albertson and Tina Borra, co-owners of the food truck Coastal Thirst, have announced plans to open a brick-and-mortar establishment in Yorktown. Coastal Thirst Beach Deli is anticipated to open this summer at 524 Water St. in the space that was formerly occupied by Larry’s Lemonade.

“The food truck was always a stepping stone to help us better gauge market demand and what types of menu items would be successful in our local community,” Albertson said. “The flexibility … has allowed us to bring our cuisine to a variety of different events, businesses and neighborhoods, introducing what we have to offer to a wider market than just being in one place.”

Albertson and Borra first began operating their food truck in 2020. The truck specializes in tacos, quesadillas, burrito and burrito bowls, as well as a variety of burgers and hot dogs. They plan to open their restaurant for breakfast and lunch.

“We will continue to feature local favorites like our brekkie burritos, breakfast tacos, avocado toast, specialty lattes and raw juice and will expand our breakfast menu to include things like specialty bagels, smoothies and smoothie bowls,” Albertson said.

In addition to tacos, burritos and burgers, the lunch menu will feature flatbreads, salads, sandwiches and grab and go items from a deli case.

“We are thrilled to be able to bring our creative vision to the Yorktown waterfront and expose locals and tourists from around the world to our food,” Albertson said. “We are excited to have consistent hours, and an extended menu. Also, you sure can’t beat the view.”

For more information on Coastal Thirst, visit its Facebook page at facebook.com/coastalthirst.

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New business brings trash and recycling to the curb for you

A new business will help people bring their trash and recycling bins to the curb for pickup. Brandon Hughes, owner of Pink Panda LLC, first came up with the idea while working as a landscaper.

“If the customer had a trash/recycling container sitting at the street while we were working on the property and it had been emptied, then I would retrieve it from the street and simply place it back to the home where the customer wanted it,” he said. “But the idea to really make it a business came when one day I noticed my elderly neighbor struggling with her cane in one hand and her trash container in the other. I asked if I could help her and with a look of relief, she accepted. I thought about how many days she struggled to do this absolutely necessary duty.”

The business is designed for older adults, those who are disabled, busy single parents, people who are headed out of town, owners of short-term rentals and “the busy and forgetful, the ones that just absolutely despise taking the trash out,” Hughes said.

Pink Panda offers monthly subscriptions, as well as one-week services for individuals who typically take care of the trash and recycling themselves but need someone else to handle the responsibility on occasion.

“In the early morning of your scheduled collection day, we will come to your home, move your trash/recycling containers and bulk items to the street for collection and send you a time stamped picture of the items sitting curbside,” Hughes explained. “Later that day, after your items have been collected and disposed of, we will return to your home and retrieve your containers from the street and return them to their original placement.”

The goal of Pink Panda, which began in May, is “to provide our customers with the peace of mind that they never again have to worry about dragging their trash and recycling containers to the street,” Hughes said. “My favorite part of this business is knowing that I’m helping someone. I am a strong believer in the power of helping someone.”

For more information on Pink Panda, call 757-810-4073 or email pinkpandallcva@gmail.com.

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Dots & Dashes

• Papi’s Creamery LLC leased 1,200 square feet of retail space at 2900 Hampton Highway in Yorktown in the Shady Banks shopping center.• Educational toy and supply store School Crossing, which is under new ownership in Monticello Marketplace, will hold a grand reopening on Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. The event will feature activities and prizes. A ribbon-cutting will be held on June 13 at 4 p.m.• Two burger establishments appear to have closed. The Burger King location at 759 E. Rochambeau Drive has closed due to equipment issues, according to a sign in the window, while Burger Fi, located at 6610 Mooretown Road, is also no longer in operation. Burger Fi, which had its last day on Feb. 23, posted a window sign stating in part that “it is with a heavy heart that we announce our temporary closure. This was not an easy decision to make, but we believe it is the best one for our community.” Burger Fi first opened in 2021.

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People moves

• Williamsburg Winery recently announced that Riccardo Rinaldi has been named the new executive chef at the Gabriel Archer Tavern. Rinaldi has 22 years of professional experience in Italian, French, molecular and other cuisines.• Michael J. Todd has been named William & Mary’s executive vice president for finance and administration. Todd, who currently serves as vice president for finance and administration at Lehigh University, will begin his new role Aug. 1.

Brandy Centolanza@bcentolanza@cox.net