Posted: November 18, 2011

By Danielle Walker

danielle.walker@insidebiz.com

Taste Unlimited recently moved its Hilltop West store, after 38 years at that location, to the Hilltop East shopping center in Virginia Beach.

Taste, which sells gourmet sandwiches, wines, cheeses and gift boxes, relocated another store last year, from Norfolk's Ghent neighborhood to nearby Larchmont.

The new Hilltop location held a soft opening Oct. 28, although promotions for the grand opening will continue through November, according to a company release.

"As we update and upgrade our stores, it seems like a logical time to update our look and branding efforts to fit our evolving company," said Amy Jordan, director of marketing and public relations for Taste.

The new Hilltop location showcases the company's new logo, which puts emphasis on the "Taste" in Taste Unlimited.

"While the company name is still officially Taste Unlimited, many locals and loyal customers already affectionately refer to us as 'Taste,' and we have embraced the simpler form in conjunction with our new, more contemporary store design," Jordan said.

The family-owned business experienced a significant loss earlier this year.

In late June, Taste Unlimited founder Peter Coe passed away at 70 after a battle with cancer. Coe founded the business, which has six Hampton Roads locations, in 1973.

Virginia Symphony Orchestra is partnering with local businesses, Mrs. Bryant's Specialty Foods and Sauces and Chatham Winery, to offer a signature symphony blend coffee and label wines exclusively available online at www.virginiasymphony.org.

"A click on the Shop VSO button will take people directly to Mrs. Bryant's website where they will find descriptions of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra Coffee Blend and make their purchases, and to the Chatham Winery website where they will find descriptions of the Chardonnay and Merlot wines," a release said.

A portion of the partnering companies' sales will go to VSO. The coffee blend will be sold for $12 per pound, and wines will go for $17 to $20 a bottle.

Lynnhaven Mall plans to light the way for residents and visitors this holiday season.

From Nov. 11 through Christmas Eve, the Virginia Beach mall will host what it calls the largest musical light show in the state.

As part of the festivities called Lynnhaven Lights, there will be "50,000 energy-efficient LED bulbs, going on and off to music pulsating through a 2,000-watt rock concert quality sound system," a release said.

"The five-minute show will be performed in Center Court at the top of each hour from 5-9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 5-7 p.m. on Sundays through Christmas Eve."

Lynnhaven Mall will partner with WWDE-FM to promote the event.

For more information, go to www.lynnhavenmall.com/events/lynnhaven-lights.

Visitors to the Ted Constant Convocation Center will now have more to munch on while attending events.

Aramark, a major concessions provider, recently installed several upgrades at the Norfolk facility at 4320 Hampton Blvd.

The eight concession stands at the Constant Center received a facelift, which includes new exteriors, digital menu boards, freshly painted interiors and new wall graphics for condiment stations.

Seven new concession stands will also open at the venue. The addition means more of fan favorites: hot dogs, nachos, hot pretzels, candy, popcorn and more.

"Aramark is constantly looking for ways to improve the concession experience for the fans and customers who come to the Constant Center," said Janet McLaughlin, resident district manager of Aramark Dining Services at Old Dominion University, in the release.

"Our goal is to make the visit as pleasant and enjoyable as possible for everyone." nib