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.

October

Kiddie Academy, a child care educational facility with a location in Virginia Beach, plans to open, according to a release. It will be located at 640 Cedar Road.
Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers plans to open at 675 Lynnhaven Parkway in Virginia Beach Oct. 28, according to Google.

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September

Academy Sports + Outdoors will open its first Virginia Beach store Sept. 5 at 2701 North Mall Drive, Suite 101, according to a release.
Ginger Sweets Pastry Cafe will open Sept. 20 at 1400 Kempsville Road, Suite 127, in Chesapeake.
Tumbeezy Cookies will open a shop Sept. 21 at 1041 Providence Square Shopping Center in Virginia Beach, according to a Facebook post.
Silver Stream Jewelry, a longtime Oceanfront staple, will close Sept. 30.

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August

Udder Nonsense Creamery began selling its products at the new Market 5 complex along Route 5 in Charles City.
Prime 757 Steakhouse and Grill held a soft opening Aug. 5 of their location at 1628 Independence Blvd. in Virginia Beach.
Panda Express held a grand opening for its location at 1166 N. Military Highway in Norfolk on Aug. 6, according to a release.
Sandbox VR’s Virginia Beach spot opened Aug. 8 at 415 19th St., Suite 104, near The Dome and Atlantic Park Surf.
Panera Bread’s third Chesapeake location opened Aug. 14 at 217 Carmichael Way, according to a release.
Virginia Beach’s long-anticipated Atlantic Park Surf opened Aug. 16. It’s located at 365 18th St., Suite 154.
Wawa held a grand opening at 4007 Ironbound Road in Greater Williamsburg on Aug. 20.
Five Below opened at 1021 Independence Blvd. in the Haygood Shopping Center in Virginia Beach on Aug. 22, according to a release.
Claire’s and its sister brand Icing announced the closure of more than 290 stores throughout the U.S., including its Icing store at Greenbrier Mall in Chesapeake.
Beach Cinema Alehouse at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront closed Aug. 31.
Persnickety Crane Cafe at 209 Village Ave. in Yorktown closed Aug. 31.

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Milk & Honey, a Southern-inspired restaurant, opened July 2 at 415 19th St., Suite 100, in Atlantic Park in Virginia Beach. (Stephen M. Katz / The Virginian-Pilot)

July

Haru Sushi opened July 1 at 5269 John Tyler Highway in Williamsburg Crossing.
Panda Express opened a location at 6632 Mooretown Road in Williamsburg on July 2, according to a release. Another restaurant is opening later this month at 1166 N. Military Highway in Norfolk.
Milk & Honey, a Southern-inspired restaurant, opened July 2 at 415 19th St., Suite 100, in Atlantic Park in Virginia Beach, according to a release.
Coworking, wellness and event space The Riverview Centre opened at 103 Watson Road in Chesapeake.
The Williamsburg Selfie Museum held a grand opening July 11 at 2229 Richmond Road.
456 Fish closed July 12 after more than 20 years on Granby Street in Norfolk.
The Pink Picket Fence, a boutique and gift store in Carrollton, relocated to 22451 Spadea Way.
Oceans & Ale, which closed its previous location on Richmond Road in Williamsburg June 14, reopened July 2. The restaurant is located at 4700 Monticello Ave.
Suffolk Fire & Rescue held a ribbon cutting July 18 for Suffolk Fire Station 11, located at 6482 Hampton Roads Parkway, according to a release.
Pungo Strawberry Patch Gift Shop opened across from The Bee & The Biscuit, at 1776 Princess Anne Road in Virginia Beach.
The Barry Art Museum at Old Dominion University closed July 31 for construction on an expanded facility that is expected to reopen in early 2027.
Only at Renee’s closed its doors at Red Mill Commons shopping center in Virginia Beach July 31. The restaurant is relocating to 415 19th St. near The Dome, with a hopeful opening in the fall.

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The storefront of Virginia’s first MilkShake Factory, seen from the street at Cahoon Commons in Chesapeake. It’s located at 648 Grassfield Parkway and opened on June 28. (Courtesy of MilkShake Factory)

June

Bar-Q, located inside Bold Mariner in Ocean View in Norfolk, closed June 1. The food truck will still be in operation.
Phoebus Smokehouse opened in the former Phoebus Dive Bar spot at 31 E. Mellen St. in Hampton.
Carte Brunch, specializing in brunch and charcuterie, opened June 1 at 2622 Detroit St. in Portsmouth.
De Rican Chef closed its restaurant at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront June 1, according to a social media post.
Ceremony, a non-alcoholic bottle shop, is open at 806 Baldwin Ave., in Norfolk’s Ghent area.
29 Wines opened June 2 at 15 E. Mellen St. in Hampton, according to a Facebook post.
After 43 years in downtown Hampton, The Grey Goose celebrated a ribbon cutting June 4 in their new home at 10 Mallory St. in Phoebus.
McDonald’s opened a new restaurant at 3179 Godwin Blvd. in Suffolk on June 4.
Made In Norfolk, a local apparel brand, opened in downtown’s Selden Market on June 6, according to a release. A grand opening was held June 20.
Suffolk celebrated the grand opening for PosAbilities LLC, a new provider of services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, on June 6, according to a release. It’s located at 150 Burnetts Way, Suite 220.
NES Cornhole Lounge held a grand opening mid-June at the Williamsburg Premium Outlets in the space formerly occupied by Hanes.
Colorful Stitches Fine Yarn held a grand opening celebration June 10 at 409 W. Duke of Gloucester St. in Williamsburg’s Merchants Square.
Vang Go Bistro held a grand opening June 11 at 915 W 21st Street in Norfolk, according to a Facebook post.
Five Below opened in The Plaza at Newmarket in Newport News June 13, according to a release.
Geeky Gaming, which specializes in vintage comics, Pokémon cards, collectibles and more, opened at 4104 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Unit 8, in Nags Head, North Carolina.
Shorty’s Diner held a ribbon cutting June 17 in the space formerly occupied by Bay Haven Grille at 6500 George Washington Memorial Highway in York County. A grand opening was held at the end of April, according to the restaurant’s Facebook page.
Rite Aid at 525 West 21st St. in Norfolk closed June 17.
Hyderabad Biryani House, serving Halal Indian cuisine, opened June 18 at 1001 Providence Square Shopping Center in Virginia Beach.
Cook’s Burger Bar opened June 25 in Lightfoot, at the former Skrimp Shack location at 6588 Richmond Road.
Tabitha Sewer Studio held a grand opening June 27 at 5707 Richmond Road, Suite 5, in the Williamsburg Premium Outlets.
Insomnia Cookies opened June 28 at 151 Granby St. in downtown Norfolk.
Burgers on the Edge held a soft opening June 28 at 455 E. Merrimac Trail in The Edge District of Williamsburg.
MilkShake Factory opened its first Virginia location at 648 Grassfield Parkway in Chesapeake on June 28.
Sly Clyde Poolside in Williamsburg is open to the public. It’s located at 201 Georgetown Crescent at the Club Wyndham Kingsgate Resort.
A playground dubbed Owl Creek Landing, which includes a 65-foot-tall lookout tower, a suspended walkway, tree houses and more is open. It’s located behind the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center in Virginia Beach.

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Melty’s Four Cheese Classic Melt. The restaurant specializing in grilled cheese sandwiches opened at 3376 Princess Anne Road in Virginia Beach in May. (Stephen M. Katz / The Virginian-Pilot)

May

Big Lots is reopening shuttered stores nationwide, including two in Hampton Roads. The retailer reopened locations at 4300 Portsmouth Blvd. in Chesapeake and 4318 George Washington Memorial Highway in York County.
Paris Baguette Cafe opened at 638 Hilltop West Shopping Center in Virginia Beach on May 3.
Grit & Grace Counseling, a mental health practice located at 1897 Governor’s Pointe Drive, Suite B, in Suffolk, held a grand opening May 3.
Bon Secours Harbour View Medical Center opened as an inpatient hospital May 6. It’s located at 1020 Bon Secours Drive in Suffolk.
Fit Body Boot Camp celebrated opening at 1807 S. Church St. in Smithfield Commons May 9.
Topgolf Virginia Beach at 5444 Greenwich Road reopened on May 9 after undergoing a full refresh, from upgraded lounges and bar areas to new tech and signage.
Wayback Burgers opened its first Hampton Roads franchise May 9 in Patrick Henry Mall in Newport News.
Mr. Woody’s Gourmet Popcorn had a grand opening on May 10 for its second location in Virginia Beach at 6523 Auburn Drive.
Column 15, a coffee roastery and café, opened on May 10 within The Mariners’ Museum in Newport News.
Abbey Road Pub & Restaurant in Virginia Beach expanded with the opening of a 2,800-square-foot rooftop bar, Lucy’s Sky Bar.
Multiple stores opened at Williamsburg Premium Outlets. Yankee Candle opened May 12, according to the outlet’s social media post. The Pampered Bath held a grand opening May 16.
A ribbon cutting was held on May 13 for Colonial Aesthetics & Wellness, located at 1309 Jamestown Road, Suite 204, in Williamsburg.
Granby St. Glow Juice Bar & More opened in the Neon District at 727 Granby St. in Norfolk.
Tommy’s Express Car Wash opened May 16 at 450 N. Military Highway, according to a news release.
Virginia’s first Melty location, a fast-casual restaurant specializing in grilled cheese sandwiches, opened at 3376 Princess Anne Road in Virginia Beach.
I Heart Mac & Cheese, which opened in the Kempsville area of Virginia Beach in April last year, is permanently closed, according to Google.
The former Best Western Historic Area Inn at 201 Bypass Road reopened as Spark by Hilton Williamsburg Historic Area. The hotel started accepting reservations May 22.
Bon Secours Primary Care at The Mustard Seed Place in Portsmouth held a ribbon cutting May 22, according to a release. The facility is located at 340 High Street in the historic Olde Towne neighborhood.
The food truck Foodatude held a grand opening May 23 for a brick-and-mortar establishment called Dizzy Izzy’s Pizza at 1804 Jamestown Road in the former space of Jamestown Pie Company in Williamsburg.
Fogo de Chão opened May 26 at 4574 Virginia Beach Blvd. in Virginia Beach’s Pembroke Square.
Chicken Salad Chick opened May 27 in Williamsburg’s Settler’s Market in the space that was occupied by Mooyah, at 4640 Casey Boulevard Suite K 140.
Greenbrier Farms at 229 Sign Pine Road in Chesapeake announced on May 29 that it’s immediately closing most operations to the public. The closure includes visits to the playground, barnyard animals or to walk the grounds.
Wave Church in Virginia Beach closed its Wave Children’s Learning Center on May 30.
A grand opening event was held May 31 for 37North, a Filipino and Asian market located at 4391 Ironbound Road in Williamsburg.
Rainey’s Soul Food opened May 31 at 1771 North King St. in Hampton.

The front lobby of Bon Secours’ new true inpatient hospital in Suffolk’s Harbour View community. The medical center opened as an inpatient hospital May 6. It’s located at 1020 Bon Secours Drive. (Stephen M. Katz / The Virginian-Pilot)

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April

Fresh Start Day Support, a new facility providing community support services with the goal of promoting “mental health and well-being through personalized programs and community integration” opened April 4 in Suffolk, according to a release. The facility is located at 140 West Washington St.
The Picklr, dubbed the world’s largest indoor pickleball club, held a grand opening for a franchise at 120 Gristmill Plaza in Williamsburg April 5, according to social media.
A ribbon cutting was held April 9 for A Touch of A Spa of Elegance, a new beauty spa located at 3206-A Richmond Road.
VA Vintage held a grand opening April 12 in the former Big Lots location at 1650 General Booth Blvd. in Virginia Beach.
Canine Companions, a nonprofit providing trained service dogs to adults, children and veterans with disabilities at no cost, opened a site in Mathews at the historic Eastbrooke Estate at 17262 John Clayton Memorial Highway.
Pink Confetti, located at 12101 New Kent Highway in New Kent County, held a grand opening of the creative studio, according to a release.
Sundae Scoop held a grand opening April 18 for its second Hampton Roads location at 1249 Cedar Road in Chesapeake.
Semi It Market, a small grocery store in Newport News’ Southeast Community, opened at 3401 Chestnut Ave.
Publix opened a supermarket at 1620 Cedar Road in Chesapeake April 23.
Shorty’s Diner held a grand opening April 23 for its restaurant at 6500A George Washington Memorial Highway in Yorktown.
BJ Roberts Behavioral Health Center in Hampton held a ribbon cutting April 25. The new facility is located at 300 Marcella Road.
MINISO opened at Patrick Henry Mall in Newport News on April 26, according to a release.
A ribbon cutting was held April 29 for a new Amazon delivery station on Harpers Road in Virginia Beach.
Bar Louie suddenly shuttered its location at 3530 Von Schilling Drive in Hampton’s Peninsula Town Center.

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Children play at the grand opening of Sky Zone, a large-scale trampoline park and event space in Virginia Beach, on March 22, 2025. (Billy Schuerman / The Virginian-Pilot)

March

District 41 Sports Bar at 605 Pilot House Drive in Newport News closed March 3.
The Newport News Early Childhood Development Center at 1500 Jefferson Avenue opened to children in early March.
Khoalitea Cafe opened at 1485 General Booth Blvd. in Booth Hill Shopping Center in Virginia Beach.
Armed Forces Brewing Company at 211 W 24th St. in Norfolk closed.
Atlantic Waffle Co. opened mid-March in the former Maple Tree Pancake House at 2608 Atlantic Avenue in Virginia Beach.
The Cardinal Restaurant & Bar opened at 1900 Pavilion Dive in Virginia Beach on March 21.
Sky Zone, a large-scale trampoline park and event space, had its grand opening March 22. It’s located at 1736 General Booth Boulevard in Virginia Beach.
The UPS Store held a grand opening at 565 Cedar Road, Suite 19, in Chesapeake on March 28, according to a news release.
The Norfolk Wellness and Fitness Center closed to the public on March 28 to make way for new building construction, according to the city of Norfolk.
May’s Parlor closed its Norfolk location March 29 after three years. A specialty catering location off Holland Road in Virginia Beach will still have pre-order menu offerings and baking workshops, according to a social media post.

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Owner Paige Staylor started balloon design company Pop VB four years ago. On Feb. 3, the store in the Virginia Beach Hilltop area opened an interactive balloon bar. (Courtesy of Pop VB)

February

Pop VB, a balloon design company in Virginia Beach, expanded its services by adding an interactive balloon bar to its Hilltop store at 1625 Donna Drive on Feb 4.
The Rochambeau Roadside Inn reopened Feb. 5 after a remodeling, according to a news release. It’s located at 929 Capitol Landing Road in Williamsburg.
The Muscarelle Museum of Art at William & Mary will hold a grand reopening on Feb. 8 after a two-year expansion project, according to a news release.
Glo Fiber will hold a grand opening at 2815 Godwin Blvd, Unit I-2, in Suffolk on Feb. 13, according to a news release.
Legal Sea Foods closed Feb. 18 after two years in Virginia Beach Town Center.
Banfield Pet Hospital’s location inside PetSmart in Hampton’s Peninsula Town Center will close the week of Feb. 23, according to the company.
Tim Hortons opened in Norfolk at the former Boston Market site at 472 N Military Highway.
Streats Restaurant & Bar in Norfolk closed on Feb. 28.
Hair of the Dog Eatery at ODU closed on Feb. 28.
Bricks & Minifigs, which offers new and pre-owned Lego sets, rare minifigures and bulk bricks, opened at Williamsburg Premium Outlets on Feb. 28, according to a news release. It’s located at 5715 Richmond Road, Space B028 in Williamsburg.
Several JOANN locations are closing in Hampton Roads as the fabric retailer shutters all stores nationwide: 1593 Crossways Blvd., Chesapeake; 1076 W Mercury Blvd., Hampton; 14346 Warwick Blvd., Newport News; 551 Hilltop Plaza, Virginia Beach; 5103 Main St., Williamsburg. Closing dates have not been announced.

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Phoebus Auction Gallery in Hampton is photographed on Dec. 20, 2024. The auction gallery, owned by Gail Wolpin, held its final auction on Jan. 1, 2025, and closed the doors after 32 years in business. (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot)

January

Phoebus Auction Gallery in Hampton closed Jan. 1.
Sunday 29:11 Soul Food Kitchen held a grand opening Jan. 3 at 5014 Jefferson Ave. in Newport News.
Crush It Art Bar had a grand opening of its brick and mortar store on Jan. 4. It’s located at 15154 Carrollton Blvd., in Carrollton.
At the beginning of January, CrossFit 1607 moved from its location on Casey Boulevard in New Town to a larger space within the Williamsburg Indoor Sports Complex.
Joosse Family Orthodontics moved from its location at 1116 Professional Drive into a larger office at 4324 New Town Ave. in Williamsburg.
Two GameStop locations closed: the location at Chesapeake Square Mall in Chesapeake and the store at 4615 Monticello Ave. in Williamsburg.
Suffolk-based New Dominion Pictures, which will remain in operation, put its building at 1000 Film Way up for auction. Employees will work remotely.
Sour Street Pizza opened in the East Beach neighborhood at 35 East Ocean View Ave., Suite 400, in Norfolk.
Iron-Bound Gym in Williamsburg’s New Town area announced in mid-January plans to expand and will take over the space currently occupied by Cogan’s Deli & Sports Pub. The gym is located at 4325 New Town Ave., across the street from the deli.
An indoor self-storage facility, Ocean Storage, opened Jan. 15 at 1612 Independence Boulevard in Virginia Beach, according to a news release.
Habit Burger & Grill opened its fourth Virginia location, the first in Hampton Roads, Jan. 15 in the former Boston Market at 3981 Virginia Beach Boulevard near the Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library in Virginia Beach.
Atomic Wings opened its first location in the state on Jan. 18 at 3813 Princess Anne Road in Virginia Beach.
Hounds Town, a dog day care and boarding franchise, opened its first Hampton Roads location on Jan. 18 in the Hidenwood Shopping Center in Newport News, near Christopher Newport University.
Blissful Events, a luxury event venue in Williamsburg’s Edge District, celebrated its grand opening on Jan. 19. The business is located at 7207 Merrimac Trail in the building that formerly housed Tequila Rose Mexican restaurant.
Suffolk Humane Society held a grand reopening at 412 Kings Fork Road on Jan. 24, according to a news release.
US Foods, a national food service distributor, opened two Chef’Store warehouses in Hampton Roads Jan. 25. The Hampton warehouse is at 6 Towne Centre Way and the Virginia Beach location is at 4001 Virginia Beach Blvd.
Redwood Smoke Shack opened Jan. 28 in the former Bennett’s Creek Farm Market in Suffolk.
Chicken Salad Chick opened in Chesapeake’s Greenbrier neighborhood at 733 Eden Way North.
UrgentVet opened a Newport News location at 12266 Jefferson Ave., according to a news release.
After more than 50 years in business, Charlie’s Antiques in Lightfoot closed Jan. 31.
D1 Training, a nontraditional gym that provides personalized training programs, opened Jan. 31 at 3636 Virginia Beach Blvd. in Virginia Beach.

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Back Bay said goodbye to its Beach House but plans to partner with a European-style pub, The Crow and Anchor, there. Customers will still be able to order Back Bay brews at the pub. (Lee Belote/Freelance)

End of 2024

Phoebus Dive Bar in Hampton closed Dec. 31.
Popular neighborhood hangout Back Bay Brewing Co. in Virginia Beach had its last day of business at Back Bay Beach House Dec. 28. The Crow and Anchor, a European-inspired pub, will take its place early in the year.
Publix held a grand opening of its first Virginia Beach location on Dec. 12. It’s located at Hickman Place at 2200 General Booth Blvd.
A soft opening was held Dec. 12 for The Whale Tea, a new bubble tea shop located at 101 College Row, Suite 4107, in Williamsburg’s Midtown Road.
Pepper Palace, a chain store specializing in hot sauces, opened Dec. 7 at 425 Prince George St. in the space formerly occupied by The Campus Shop in downtown Williamsburg.
New Realm Brewing Co. opened its second Virginia location at 5941 Harbour View Blvd. in Suffolk on Nov. 22.

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Coming soon

Pika-Filipino Cravings plans to open as a takeout establishment at 5242 Olde Towne Road  in Williamsburg. An opening date has not yet been announced.
Voodoo Brewing plans to open a brewpub serving beer, cocktails, wine, flatbreads, salads, and more in the summer. The opening is planned in Midtown Row, near Super Chix Chicken & Custard.
Two businesses are coming to Norfolk’s Selden Market in the fall: Model Citizen Cocktail Supply and Juniper & Jam.
Born Primitive is expanding its Virginia Beach headquarters in the fall at 1469-1489 Virginia Beach Blvd.
Williamsburg’s new police station on Lafayette Street plans to open Dec. 14.
The Hohl Group, which has a popular coffee and bake shop in Toano and downtown Williamsburg, plans to open another location in Williamsburg by the end of the year. The restaurant will be located at 1012 Richmond Road.
Kroger will expand into and occupy one-third of the long-vacant Kmart building in York County’s Tabb area, near Kiln Creek. AutoZone will open in the remainder of the store.
Longboards, a restaurant specializing in burgers, wings and seafood, will open in Williamsburg in the fall. It will occupy the space on Richmond Road in Williamsburg Premium Outlets that was formerly occupied by Oceans & Ale.
Williamsburg Needlepoint will open in the Colony Square shopping center on Jamestown Road in the fall. An exact opening date has not been announced, but the business began accepting online orders July 10.
Wasserhund Brewing Co. plans to open a brewery in the former District Apizza space on Granby Street in Norfolk in the fall.
Mango Mangeaux in the Phoebus area of Hampton will close Jan. 1, 2026.
Virginia Beach Obstetrics & Gynecology plans to open a new women’s health facility in Town Center in March 2026. It will replace the practice’s Providence Road location.

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

Macy Friend, mfriend@dailypress.com

https://www.pilotonline.com/2025/09/02/the-latest-business-openings-and-closings-in-hampton-roads-2/