Historic Hospitality Group, the company that operates Riverwalk Restaurant and Water Street Grille in Yorktown, along with Waypoint Seafood & Grill in Williamsburg, is expanding its portfolio with the addition of two new restaurants that will open this fall in downtown Williamsburg.
Ember and The Jewish Mother’s Deli are taking over the spaces formerly occupied by The Trellis and later La Piazza, as well as Blackbird Bakery around the corner, both which permanently closed last year.
“We’re opening two concepts in Merchants Square: Ember, a steak, seafood and sushi house in the former Trellis location, and The Jewish Mother’s Deli, focused on bagels and classic deli sandwiches in the former Blackbird Bakery,” said Sid Hall, president of Historic Hospitality Group.
Renovations are underway, with openings of both establishments anticipated in October. Ember, described as a fusion restaurant “where fire meets amazing food,” will be located at 403 W. Duke of Gloucester St., while The Jewish Mother’s Deli will serve customers nearby at 407 W. Duke of Gloucester St. The Jewish Mother’s Deli, not to be confused with the popular Jewish Mother that operated on Richmond Road years ago, is said to be “inspired by generations of tradition and a whole lot of chutzpah, we’re serving up comfort food the way only a Jewish mother can: warm, generous and full of flavor,” according to its website.
Hall is excited for the opportunity to be a part of the Merchants Square fold.
“We chose Merchants Square because it’s the historic heart of Williamsburg, a walkable district that blends tradition with an incredible sense of community,” Hall said. “I was born and raised here, so the chance to bring not one but two more restaurants to my hometown is especially meaningful. It’s an opportunity to invest back into the place that shaped me, create jobs and add to the dining scene that locals and visitors enjoy year-round.”
For more ion Ember, visit emberwilliamsburg.com. For more on The Jewish Mother’s Deli, visit thejewishmothersdeli.com.
The latest business openings and closings in Hampton Roads
Bdefined Fitness celebrates 20th anniversary
The Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon-cutting event on Sept. 8 for Bdefined Personal Training and Wellness in commemoration of 20 years in business. The fitness facility is located at 5207 Center St. in New Town. Bdefined owner Bridgit Kin-Charlton said she’s grateful to her clients for being by her side for the past two decades.
“Bdefined has been more than just a gym; it has been a community built on trust, dedication and shared goals,” she said. “The commitment of our clients, many of whom have been with us for a decade or more, has been the bedrock of our studio. Their unwavering loyalty has allowed us to grow, evolve and continuously refine our approach, ensuring that we remain a pillar of health and wellness in our beloved community.”
For more information on Bdefined, visit bdefinedfitness.com.
Williamsburg MLS and Bright MLS announce data share agreement
Williamsburg Multiple Listing Service (WMLS) and Bright MLS recently announced the launch of a new data share agreement, which expands access to thousands of real estate listings in both Northern Virginia and the Historic Triangle. The agreement gives subscribers of both organizations the ability to search comprehensive current and historical property listing information.
“This data share represents a major advancement in our ongoing mission to provide subscribers with broader access to essential listing information,” Charlie Willits, CEO of WMLS, said in an Aug. 19 news release. “Through this collaboration, our MLSs are opening new doors for agents and brokers — enhancing service and delivering more value to consumers.”
For more information, visit waarealtor.com.
Dots & Dashes
Nicole Pereira has been named as the new president of the Williamsburg Area Restaurant Association. Pereira succeeds Noreen Graziano, who recently stepped down from the role.
Nurtured Notion, a garden and home accessories store that opened at 205 N. Boundary St. in downtown Williamsburg in 2021, is relocating. The store will reopen on Sept. 18 at its new space at 144 Tewning Road.
Persnickety Crane Café, a popular coffee shop located at 209 Village Ave. in Yorktown, has permanently closed. The coffeehouse first opened in 2019.
Brandy Centolanza, bcentolanza@cox.net
