Retail category.
By Danielle Walker
danielle.walker@insidebiz.com
Earlier this month, Norfolk International Airport unveiled six new restaurants. Airport officials and executives from HMSHost, an operator of airport dining and shopping venues, attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 7.
Wayne E. Shank, executive director at the Norfolk airport, Harold J. Cobb Jr., chairman of the Norfolk Airport Authority, and Robert Boorom, HMSHost regional vice president of operations, were there.
By Danielle Walker
danielle.walker@insidebiz.com
Target announced it will open its fourth Virginia Beach store in October, as scheduled.
The store at Pembroke Mall will be 135,000 square feet and employ approximately 200 people, according to a release from the company.
The Virginia Beach location will offer fresh produce, packaged meat and pre-packaged baked goods. Target will open 19 stores this year, including another Virginia location in Merrifield, also planned to open in October.
By Danielle Walker
danielle.walker@insidebiz.com
Spring retail sales around the nation are off to a good start, according to an April report from the National Retail Federation.
The NRF cited a 6.6 percent increase in retail sales between March of this year and last. The figure, which was seasonally unadjusted, excludes automobile, gas station and restaurant sales.
March retail sales were up 0.8 percent, seasonally adjusted, from February.
By Danielle Walker
danielle.walker@insidbiz.com
RoomStore, a home furnishing company started in 1992 in Dallas, is exiting its Texas market.
On April 2, a company release said RoomStore would sell all its remaining stores in Texas as part of a decision to consolidate business in the mid-Atlantic region with its North Carolina distribution center.
On Dec. 12, RoomStore filed a voluntary Chapter 11 petition in Richmond.
By Danielle Walker
danielle.walker@insidebiz.com
Chick-fil-A may be planning a new location for Norfolk in the city's Ghent neighborhood.
In March, an article in The Virginian-Pilot said Chick-fil-A planned to buy a 1.2-acre parcel from the city on Monticello Avenue. It was reported that the company was offering $800,000 for the property, which was assessed at $1.01 million.
Norfolk's only other freestanding Chick-fil-A is at 1205 N. Military Hwy. in Broad Creek Crossing shopping center.
By Danielle Walker
danielle.walker@insidebiz.com
Surf Rider Restaurant recently hosted a special commercial developer and real estate breakfast at its new Poquoson location at 105 Rens Road at the Whitehouse Cove Marina. The VIP "sneak peak" on March 20 included guests such as Poquoson's Mayor Gene Hunt and City Council members.
Economic development officials on the city and state level were also there, as were guests from the NASA/Langley Research Center in Hampton, a release from the restaurant said.
By Danielle Walker
danielle.walker@insidebiz.com
Earlier this month, Norfolk City Council approved plans for a winery in the city's Ghent neighborhood.
Mermaid Winery owner Jennifer Doumar has scheduled a May 1 grand opening.
Located at 330 W. 22nd St., Suite 106, in the Palace Station Shops, the winery will initially serve wines made at a Charlottesville winery, until its winemaking permits are granted.
At the end of the month, grapevines will be planted at the location for on-site winemaking. Doumar will buy grapes in addition to help make wine.
by philip newswanger
philip.newswanger@insidebiz.com
Officials at Tractor Supply Co. Inc., based in Brentwood, Tenn., aren't revealing any information about their expansion plans in Hampton Roads.
But so far this year the $4 billion retailer of farm and ranch supplies and equipment has applied for permits in Chesapeake and Virginia Beach to have land rezoned for a store, parking and room to stage equipment.
By Danielle Walker
danielle.walker@insidebiz.com
In celebration of Military Appreciation Month this month, Downtown Hampton will be offering discounts at retail and restaurant establishments and free events for servicemen and -women.
A brochure by the Downtown Hampton Development Partnership's marketing committee gives details.
There will be several events taking place downtown every Saturday of the month. These include: a zumbathon, the "Hunt for Hampton History," dance performances by Beauty for Ashes and a wine tasting.
By Philip Newswanger
philip.newswanger@insidebiz.com
Local boat dealers have a reason to smile.
They walked away from the 58th annual Mid-Atlantic Sports and Boat Show in Virginia Beach with their pockets full of orders and promises of purchases.
Compared to previous years, this year's show was real good for the dealers.
The show, sponsored by the Isaak Walton League of America and promoted by Targeted Productions, a sister company to Inside Business, was more than 100,000 square feet of boats, booths and trailers.
