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The latest business openings and closings in Hampton Roads

Doughnuts at Mochi Donut & Tea in Virginia Beach. (Rekaya Gibson)
Rekaya Gibson / Staff
Doughnuts at Mochi Donut & Tea in Virginia Beach. (Rekaya Gibson)
Staff headshot of Macy Friend.
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Here are some of the more notable openings and closings we’ve come across. If you know of any others that should be added to the list, please email consumer@pilotonline.com. We appreciate the help.

June

  • Virginia’s first Del Taco, a Southern California-based Mexican fast food chain, will open in Chesapeake the first week in June. It’s projected to be located near Sam’s Club in Greenbrier.
  • Rite Aid’s location at 1624 Laskin Road in Virginia Beach will close June 13. Its pharmacy will close May 9.
  • La Brioche, a French bakery in Norfolk’s Neon District, plans to move into the former Colley Discount Pharmacy location in Ghent. It’s projected to open soon at 1415 Colley Ave.

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A free inflatable playground is coming to Virginia Beach on May 3. The 40,000-square-foot park will consist of four inflatable zones totaling 25,000 square feet, concessions and portable restrooms. (Courtesy of Vandana Singh)
An inflatable playground is coming to Virginia Beach on May 3. The 40,000-square-foot park will consist of four inflatable zones totaling 25,000 square feet, concessions and portable restrooms. (Courtesy of Vandana Singh)

May

  • Aslin Beer Co. will open at 823 Virginia Beach Blvd., a block east of the sports center, in early May.
  • Funbox is bringing an inflatable park to Virginia Beach. The four zones of inflatables, totaling 25,000 square feet, will open for the season on May 3. The bounce park is slated to be open through the summer and is located in the Lynnhaven Mall parking lot, between the mall’s movie theater and South Lynnhaven Road.
  • Wawa plans to open its Outer Banks store, the first of several planned for North Carolina, on May 16.
  • Hauser’s Jewelers is opening a location in Williamsburg. The new storefront will be located at 1325 Jamestown Road, with a grand opening planned for Mother’s Day weekend on May 11 and 12.
  • School Crossing, a toy and educational specialty store in Monticello Marketplace in James City County, will reopen “hopefully by mid-May,” according to the new owners.
  • A grand opening for gourmet coffee shop Eleva is slated for mid-May in downtown Williamsburg at 111 S. Boundary St. in Merchants Square.
  • Rite Aid’s location at 1808 Salem Road in Virginia Beach will close May 23. Its pharmacy closed April 18.
  • Bob’s Discount Furniture is opening a new showroom in Chesapeake on May 24, according to a press release. It will be located at 1324 Greenbrier Parkway.

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April

  • Cooking with Greens, a shop with healthier alternative spice blends and kitchen products, opened in downtown Norfolk’s Selden Market on April 5.
  • Studio Kuumba, which opened a temporary pop-up shop in Selden Market in January, transitioned to a full-time storefront on April 5. The studio helps adults tap into their creativity through the arts, including painting and making bracelets. The studio hosts group workshops and special events.
  • CAVA opened a new restaurant in Hampton on April 5, according to a news release. It’s located at 2033 Coliseum Drive in Peninsula Town Center.
  • Mochi Donut & Tea recently opened at 1255 Fordham Drive in KempsRiver Crossing in Virginia Beach.
  • Agenda Virginia, a vintage garment shop, held a grand opening on April 6 at 4291 Holland Road in Virginia Beach.
  • Onelife Fitness opened March 27 in Hampton’s Coliseum Marketplace. A ribbon cutting and open house were held on April 8.
  • Gourmet Burger Bistro opened at 202 E. Washinton St. in downtown Suffolk on April 13.
  • Golden Corral in Chesapeake’s Volvo Parkway Shopping Center has closed, according to a WTKR report.
  • I Heart Mac & Cheese, a South Florida-based restaurant specializing in customizable, made-to-order macaroni and cheese bowls and grilled cheese sandwiches, opened in Virginia Beach on April 15, according to its website. It’s located at 5168 Princess Anne Road, Suite 142.
  • 508 Crafthouse held a grand opening on April 16 for its location at 508 Oropax St. in Norfolk.
  • Kusina Filipinio Cuisine held a grand opening at its new location in Suffolk on April 17. It’s located at 6550 Hampton Roads Center Parkway,#107.
  • Cook’s Burger Bar opened the weekend of April 20 in the former Matchsticks BBQ Co. space in Williamsburg. It’s located at 1246 Richmond Road.
  • Blue Sky Distillery held a grand reopening on April 20 at 17466 Benns Church Blvd. in Portsmouth.
  • Miss Lilly’s Trading Post, a one-of-a-kind consignment shop and market, celebrated its grand opening in Suffolk on April 20. It’s located at 6707 S. Quay Road.
  • Vegan restaurant Kahiau’s Bakery & Cafe in Virginia Beach closed on April 21.
  • District Taco opened a new restaurant at 2700 Hampton Boulevard in Norfolk on April 23.
  • Shoe company Hey Dude opened a storefront at Williamsburg Premium Outlets on April 26, according to a Facebook post.
  • Virginia Car Wash Co. celebrated its ribbon cutting on April 26. As part of their grand opening, which lasts through May 5, they’re giving away free car washes and free air fresheners. The car wash is located at 4830 Portsmouth Blvd. in Chesapeake.
  • Freedom Boat Club hosted a grand opening for its newest location in Newport News located at Deep Creek Landing Marina at 200 Old Marina Lane on April 26.
  • Ynot Italian at 1225 Cedar Road in Chesapeake closed.
  • S.O.S. Thrift Store — which sells clothing, home décor, housewares, furniture and electronics — opened on Virginia Beach Boulevard, next to Dunkin’ Donuts in Virginia Beach.
  • Another Broken Egg Cafe opened at 1550 Laskin Road, Suite 198, in Virginia Beach on April 29.

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A framed glass window gives customers a sneak peek into the decorations behind The Plaza's baked items. Lee Belote/freelance
A framed glass window gives customers a sneak peek into the decorations behind The Plaza’s baked items. The bakery opened in Virginia Beach in March. (Lee Belote/Freelance)

March

  • Monkee’s, a women’s high-end fashion boutique, opened at 103B N. Boundary St. next to William and Harry in Williamsburg on March 1.
  • The Family Dollar at 720 Church St. in Norfolk reopened on March 2 after a fire closed the store for more than a year.
  • Bread of Life Bakery opened March 2 at 1650 General Booth Blvd., Suite 106, in Virginia Beach.
  • The wholesale operations at White’s Nursery at White’s Old Mill Garden Center are shutting down, but the garden center in the Deep Creek area of Chesapeake isn’t going anywhere.
  • Teriyaki Madness held a grand opening March 8 in Williamsburg, according to a Facebook post. The Asian fusion restaurant is located at 6497 Centerville Road in the Lightfoot Marketplace shopping center next to the AT&T Store.
  • Burlington opened a store at 5900 E. Virginia Beach Blvd. in Norfolk on March 8, according to a release.
  • Andora’s Pizza Box reopened as The Box on March 12. It’s located at 2616 Detroit St. in Portsmouth.
  • Tastefully Philly held a grand opening for the café located inside the Paperbacks Ink Bookstore at 9716 Warwick Blvd. in Newport News.
  • Grit Coffee opened a location in Midtown Row at 100 College Row, Suite 2101, in Williamsburg on March 13, according to a Facebook post.
  • Pisco Paradise, a restaurant offering Peruvian dishes, held a grand opening on March 15. It’s located at 500 Central Drive, Suite 107, in Virginia Beach.
  • The Plaza, a dessert shop in Virginia Beach, opened March 16. It’s located at 3762 Virginia Beach Blvd.
  • Jungle Jamz Play Café, Suffolk’s first indoor play area tailored for children and coffee enthusiasts alike, opened on March 18 at 1238 Holland Road.
  • THRIVE Peninsula held a ribbon cutting for their new headquarters at 12749 Nettles Drive in Newport News on March 19. THRIVE moved into the space on Nov. 20, 2023, but the building was under construction. Work is now complete on the building, which hosts a free grocery store inside.
  • Longtime William & Mary clothing shop, the Campus Shop, relocated to Duke of Gloucester Street in Merchants Square. The store opened next to Lululemon, at 345 Duke of Gloucester St.
  • After less than a year in operation, the 501 Galley restaurant located on Richmond Road in Norge in James City County has closed.
  • Biscuit Belly held a grand opening in Norfolk on March 22, according to a press release. It’s located at 2401 Hampton Blvd.
  • Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken & Wings held a grand opening in Norfolk at 5900 E Virginia Beach Blvd., Suite 43, on March 27.
  • Pop-up shop and business incubator Bloom Market, which features locally made and unique goods, opened March 28 at 719 High St. in Portsmouth.
  • A grand opening was held March 29 for Remix Market Williamsburg, a new retail store in Toano in James City County. The shop, an extension of The Junkluggers of Williamsburg, recently opened at 200-3 Industrial Blvd.
  • Ice cream shop ELG Sweet Boutique opened at 340 High St. in Olde Towne Portsmouth, inside The Mustard Seed Place. The Mustard Seed Place celebrated a grand opening on March 27.
  • Reaver Beach Brewing Co. closed its Norfolk location on March 30.

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Stacy Harksen, owner of Hello Sweetie Cheesecakes in Portsmouth, right, and employee Jess Severson, stock the display Wednesday, March 6, 2024. (Stephen M. Katz/The Virginian-Pilot)
Stacy Harksen, owner of Hello Sweetie Cheesecakes in Portsmouth, right, and employee Jess Severson, stock the display March 6, 2024. The shop opened in February. (Stephen M. Katz/The Virginian-Pilot)

February

  • Little Caesars celebrated the grand opening of its new restaurant at 3742 Virginia Beach Blvd. on Feb. 3.
  • Cafe Genevieve held a grand opening of its second Hampton Roads location at 317 S. Witchduck Road in Virginia Beach on Feb. 3.
  • Dough Haus, offering coffee, donuts and pizza, opened Feb. 6 at 17303 Warwick Blvd. in Newport News, according to Facebook.
  • New donut concept Oh! Mochi held a grand opening on Feb. 9 at 4224 Virginia Beach Blvd., Suite 103.
  • C.P. Dean, a Richmond-based indoor game furnishings supplier, expanded to Chesapeake. The company opened a 3,700-square-foot showroom, workshop and warehouse at 1244 Executive Blvd. in Greenbrier. The location focuses mainly on the sale of billiard tables, shuffleboard tables, darts and residential and commercial game room furniture.
  • HCK Hot Chicken is opening Feb. 10 at 430 N. Newtown Road in Virginia Beach.
  • Pixelated Boutique moved from the ViBe District in Virginia Beach to the Hilltop North Shopping Center at 1628 Laskin Road.
  • Hello Sweetie Cheesecakes opened on Feb. 10 at 333 High St. in Portsmouth.
  • The Community Feed at Berkley opened Feb. 12 at 701 S Main St. in Norfolk, according to a press release.
  • Dollar General opened a store on Feb. 13 at 3300 Academy Ave. in Portsmouth, according to a press release.
  • One of the only Black-owned ship repair businesses in the U.S. expanded to Portsmouth. Mills Marine and Ship Repair opened a fabrication and training facility on Feb. 22 at 30 Beechdale Road.
  • Plaza Bakery moved to 3762 Virginia Beach Blvd. in Virginia Beach and held a soft opening on Feb. 24.
  • Hyperbaric Health opened Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy & Red Light Therapy center at 2605 Virginia Beach Blvd., Suite 105, on Feb. 27, according to a release.
  • Mod Pizza celebrated a grand opening in Norfolk on Feb. 27, according to a release. The chain is located at 1560 Mall Drive Unit CD-13 at Naval Station Norfolk.

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Gourmet Gang opened a posh spot in La Promenade, a popular shopping destination in the Hilltop area, in January. The location with upscale decor can host private events and happy hours. (Lee Belote/Freelance)
Gourmet Gang opened a posh spot in La Promenade, a popular shopping destination in the Hilltop area, in January. The location with upscale decor can host private events and happy hours. (Lee Belote/Freelance)

January

  • Dave’s BBQ held a grand opening of its new location at 1009 Laskin Road in Virginia Beach on Jan. 1.
  • IncuHub opened a second coworking space at 101 Eaton St. in downtown Hampton on Jan. 1.
  • Conte’s Bike Shop moved from 4900 Courthouse St. in Williamsburg to a larger location around the corner at 5105 Main St. on Jan. 2. The new location features a fit area, a cafe and expanded service department.
  • The Wandering Sausage food truck launched on Jan. 3. Specializing in Philly cheesesteaks and chicken cheesesteaks along with mild and hot Italian sausages, the food truck stops at breweries and other establishments in the Williamsburg area.
  • Precarious Beer Project announced on Jan. 4 its plans to close the Electric Circus Taco Bar located within Precarious Beer Hall. The brewery will begin offering a rotating pop-up food option with new dishes each quarter.
  • Choice Korean Food Hall & Pub opened at 12515 Jefferson Ave. #450 in Newport News.
  • Grocery store Walkers Market opened in Suffolk at 530 W. Washington St.
  • Rite Aid closed three local stores in the span of a week. Its store located at 840 S. Military Highway in Virginia Beach shuttered on Jan. 8. The store at 14260 Warwick Blvd. in Newport News closed on Jan. 9 and one at 5601B Richmond Road in Williamsburg closed on Jan. 10, according to a company spokesperson. The company confirmed the closures of several additional stores in the area.
  • Gourmet Gang opened a posh spot in La Promenade, a popular shopping destination in the Hilltop area. The location with upscale decor can host private events and happy hours.
  • Torrid held a grand opening at the Williamsburg Premium Outlets near Nike and Michael Kors on Jan. 13.
  • Superheroes Ice Cream opened near Lynnhaven Mall on Jan. 13. It’s located at 2724 N Mall Drive in Virginia Beach.
  • Voodoo Brewing Co. held a grand opening in Virginia Beach at 300 Constitution Drive, Suite 109, on Jan. 13.
  • Farm Fresh in Poquoson announced it’ll close this winter. The renovated store at 460 Wythe Creek Road will remain open until all inventory is sold.
  • Crumbl held a grand opening at 236 Carmichael Way in Chesapeake on Jan. 19.
  • Wall Street Cafe closed in Suffolk on Jan. 19, according to the Suffolk News-Herald.
  • A grand opening for Pet Supplies Plus in Chesapeake was held on Jan. 20, according to a press release. In addition to pet products, the store offers a full-service grooming salon and self-pet wash stations. The store is located at 4107 Portsmouth Blvd.
  • A Pet Supplies Plus opened on Jan. 20 at 2129 General Booth Blvd. in Virginia Beach.
  • The Salt Life opened in Williamsburg Premium Outlets on Jan. 23. It’s located between Vineyard Vines and Vans.
  • Bohemian Amigos Record Shop opened Jan. 26 at 227 Fox Hill Road, Suite C-4, in Hampton.
  • The Carol S. and Edward D. Cowell, Jr. Cancer Center opened at 4927 S. Croatan Highway in Nags Head on Jan. 29. For the first time, local cancer patients can receive all services under one roof.
  • Crave Bakery + Coffee Bar moved to 200 College Place in Norfolk.

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First Watch opened its third Virginia Beach restaurant at 1909 Landstown Centre Way on Dec. 11, according to a press release. (Courtesy of First Watch)
First Watch opened its third Virginia Beach restaurant at 1909 Landstown Centre Way on Dec. 11, according to a press release. (Courtesy of First Watch)

End of 2023

  • Rajput Indian Cuisine opened on Dec. 26 at 2099 Sun Harbour Ave., Suite 115, in Suffolk.
  • Bodega Cafe opened on Dec. 23 at 3574 Holland Road in Virginia Beach.
  • After 144 years in business, Spertner Jewlers, which was located within Ghent Antiques in Norfolk, closed on Dec. 21.
  • Newly renovated Red Roof Inn & Suites opened on Dec. 20 at 16890 Warwick Blvd. in Newport News, according to a press release.
  • Assisted living community Regent of Newport News opened in mid-December at 741 Thimble Shoals Blvd.
  • Anya Thai Cuisine opened Dec. 11 at 12454 Warwick Blvd. in Newport News.
  • Kidtique Hampton opened Dec. 11 at 4400 Kilgore Ave. in Peninsula Town Center.
  • First Watch opened its third Virginia Beach restaurant at 1909 Landstown Centre Way on Dec. 11, according to a press release.
  • Soulivia’s Art + Soul Restaurant at Hillcrest Parkway in Chesapeake closed Dec. 8, according to the restaurant’s Facebook post.
  • Veterinary clinic MyVet opened Dec. 7 at 620 Grassfield Parkway, Suite 150, in Chesapeake.
  • Locals Marketplace, a pop-up shop for artisans’ locally made and sourced products, took over the space of The Mic in the former Urban Outfitters spot at the beginning of December in downtown Norfolk.
  • Pizza shop Your Pie at 754 Hilltop North Shopping Center in Virginia Beach closed on Dec.4, according to a Facebook post.
  • Megallons Gourmet Barbeque at 2424 E Little Creek Road in Norfolk closed Dec. 2, according to a Facebook post.

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Coming soon

  • Chef’Store plans to open two stores at 1 Town Centre Way in Hampton and 4001 Virginia Beach Blvd. in Collins Square Shopping Center in Virginia Beach in the second half of 2024, according to a release. The stores will offer fresh produce, meat, beverages, restaurant equipment and more.
  • CityVet is expanding its veterinary network to Virginia Beach in the first half of the year with a clinic in the Lynnhaven neighborhood at Lynnhaven Parkway and Princess Anne Road. CityVet clinics provide veterinary care, dental care, boarding, grooming, various therapies and healthy pet foods.
  • A combination Dollar Tree/Family Dollar retail store will soon open on Richmond Road in Williamsburg’s Patriot Plaza. A date has not been announced.
  • New Realm Brewing plans to open a new brewery and restaurant in the new Blue Point at the Riverfront development in Suffolk in the spring. The facility will include a covered rooftop patio, bar and beer garden with a dog-friendly outdoor bar, according to a release.
  • Redwood Smoke Shack will open in the former Bennett’s Creek Farm Market location in Suffolk in October.

These are the businesses that opened, moved locations, or closed last year.

Macy Friend, mfriend@dailypress.com