Category: Business

GAS PRICES BEGIN SEASONAL RISE

National gas prices are starting their expected seasonal increase, though later than usual.

The rise is attributed to increasing crude oil prices and growing demand as summer approaches.

Despite the recent increase, current national prices are about 40 cents lower than this time last year.

High demand is expected for Memorial Day weekend travel.

Recent data shows a rise in gasoline demand and a decrease in domestic supply.

Local Virginia prices are slightly up, while Hampton Roads prices decreased recently but are still lower than last year.

Source:

AAA: Later than Usual, National Gas Prices Begin Seasonal Climb

The provided text is an opinion column discussing national economic issues, wealth, taxation, and socialism, rather than recent local news items. Therefore, it cannot be summarized according to the instructions provided for local journalism summaries.

GAS PRICES ARE FALLING ACCORDING TO AAA

AAA reports gas prices are decreasing week over week.

The national average dropped 3 cents to $3.15.

Virginia’s average decreased by 5 cents.

OPEC+ plans to increase output, potentially lowering prices further.

The national average is almost 49 cents less than a year ago.

Gasoline demand has decreased while supply slightly increased.

Local Virginia and Hampton Roads prices also saw recent declines.

Source:

AAA: Temperatures May be Rising, But Gas Prices are Not

James City County hosted a “Housing for All: A Community Conversation” event on April 30 at the Recreation Center. The event addressed the local affordable housing crisis and showcased James City County’s housing assistance programs. It featured presentations, networking, and information tables from organizations aiding vulnerable residents. Speakers emphasized the benefits of stable housing and shared testimonials from program beneficiaries. James City County provides programs like housing choice vouchers, rehabilitation, and homeownership assistance. The lack of affordable housing affects residents and local businesses.

York County’s Board of Supervisors approved a $291.6 million budget on Wednesday for fiscal year 2026. The budget includes the first real estate tax increase in nine years, raising the rate by 4 cents from 74 cents to 78 cents per $100 in assessed value. The personal property tax rate will increase by 20 cents to $4 per $100 in value. Officials stated the increases were necessary to support essential services amid rising costs and economic uncertainty, citing inflation and minimal revenue growth. The budget passed by a 4-1 vote, with Supervisor Wayne Drewery dissenting. The budget also includes increases in solid waste and planning fees, a decrease in social services funding, adds five deputy positions, increases school funding, decreases sheriff’s office overtime, and provides employee compensation raises.

Farmers market season is underway in the Williamsburg area and surrounding communities, with many markets now open or starting this month for their 2025 seasons.
The Williamsburg Farmers Market is open Saturdays through December 20 from 8 a.m. to noon at 345 Duke of Gloucester St. in Colonial Williamsburg.
West Point Farmers Market opens its 26th season on May 17 and will be open Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon through September 6 at the Pavilion at Riverwalk Park, featuring its largest vendor list yet and family activities.
Yorktown Market Days hosts themed events like a Community Market and runs Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon through September 27 at Riverwalk Landing, with select markets extending into December.
The Toano Open Air Market is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon through December on the Village Green at 7891 Richmond Road, serving as a community gathering spot and growing since its 2020 start.
The Gloucester Farmers Market operates 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month from May through October at Ware Episcopal Church, featuring food trucks and a playground.
Other local markets include the King William County Farmers Market on the second and fourth Fridays through October 17 at King William High School, the Mathews Farmers Market on Saturdays through October on the Historic Courthouse Green, and the New Kent Farmers Market on Saturdays through August at the New Kent Farmers Market Pavilion.
Several pick-your-own strawberry farms are also open, including MillFarm Christmas Trees & Berry Farm in James City County, Browder’s Fresh Pickins in Smithfield, Evans Farms in Suffolk, Lilley Farms in Chesapeake, and Salem Berry Farm in Virginia Beach.

SCORE HELPS VETERANS BUILD BUSINESSES

SCORE has developed specific resources for mentoring veteran entrepreneurs.
This effort is highlighted for National Military Appreciation Month.
Veteran-owned businesses have higher success and survival rates than non-veterans.
Mentorship significantly increases small business success rates.
The SCORE Veterans Small Business Resource Guide provides tools for planning, funding, and operating.
Veterans’ military skills are valuable assets for entrepreneurship.
Veterans own millions of businesses nationally, employing millions and generating trillions annually.

Source:

SCORE Highlights Veterans-Specific Resources for Military Appreciation Month

Bar-Q inside Bold Mariner in Norfolk closed June 1; the food truck remains open. NES Cornhole Lounge plans a grand opening June 13 at Williamsburg Premium Outlets. Cook’s Burger Bar is set to open mid-June in Lightfoot at the former Skrimp Shack location.

Big Lots reopened stores between May 1 and 15 in Chesapeake and York County. Grit & Grace Counseling held a grand opening May 3 in Suffolk. Bon Secours Harbour View Medical Center opened as an inpatient hospital May 6 in Suffolk. Chicken Salad Chick is slated to open in Williamsburg’s Settler’s Market. Multiple stores opened in May at Williamsburg Premium Outlets, including Yankee Candle (reopening), The Pampered Bath, Tabitha Sewer, and Williamsburg Vintage Bazaar. The former Best Western Historic Area Inn in Williamsburg reopened as Spark by Hilton Williamsburg Historic Area and is accepting reservations starting May 22.

Fresh Start Day Support facility opened April 4 in Suffolk. The Picklr indoor pickleball club held a grand opening April 5 in Williamsburg. A Touch of A Spa of Elegance, a new beauty spa, held a ribbon cutting April 9. VA Vintage held a grand opening April 12 in Virginia Beach. Canine Companions opened a site in Mathews in April. Pink Confetti creative studio held a grand opening in New Kent County in April. Sundae Scoop held a grand opening April 18 for its second location in Chesapeake. Publix opened a supermarket April 23 in Chesapeake. BJ Roberts Behavioral Health Center in Hampton held a ribbon cutting April 25. MINISO opened April 26 at Patrick Henry Mall in Newport News. An Amazon delivery station held a ribbon cutting April 29 in Virginia Beach. Bar Louie suddenly closed its location in Hampton’s Peninsula Town Center in April.

District 41 Sports Bar in Newport News closed March 3. The Newport News Early Childhood Development Center opened to children in early March. Khoalitea Cafe opened in Virginia Beach. Armed Forces Brewing Company closed in Norfolk. Atlantic Waffle Co. opened mid-March in Virginia Beach. The Cardinal Restaurant & Bar opened March 21 in Virginia Beach. Sky Zone trampoline park had its grand opening March 22 in Virginia Beach. The UPS Store held a grand opening March 28 in Chesapeake. The Norfolk Wellness and Fitness Center closed to the public March 28. May’s Parlor closed its Norfolk location March 29.

Pop VB added an interactive balloon bar Feb 4 to its store in Virginia Beach. The Rochambeau Roadside Inn reopened Feb. 5 after remodeling in Williamsburg. The Muscarelle Museum of Art held a grand reopening Feb. 8 after expansion at William & Mary. Glo Fiber held a grand opening Feb. 13 in Suffolk. Legal Sea Foods closed Feb. 18 in Virginia Beach Town Center. Banfield Pet Hospital inside PetSmart in Hampton closed the week of Feb. 23. Tim Hortons opened in Norfolk. Streats Restaurant & Bar in Norfolk closed Feb. 28. Hair of the Dog Eatery at ODU closed Feb. 28. Bricks & Minifigs opened Feb. 28 at Williamsburg Premium Outlets. Several JOANN locations in Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg are closing; dates have not been announced.

Phoebus Auction Gallery in Hampton closed Jan. 1. Sunday 29:11 Soul Food Kitchen held a grand opening Jan. 3 in Newport News. Crush It Art Bar had a grand opening Jan. 4 in Carrollton. CrossFit 1607 moved to a larger space within the Williamsburg Indoor Sports Complex in early January. Joosse Family Orthodontics moved to a larger office in Williamsburg. Two GameStop locations closed in January in Chesapeake and Williamsburg. New Dominion Pictures put its building in Suffolk up for auction in early January. Sour Street Pizza opened in the East Beach neighborhood of Norfolk in January. Iron-Bound Gym announced mid-January plans to expand and take over Cogan’s Deli & Sports Pub space in Williamsburg. Ocean Storage self-storage facility opened Jan. 15 in Virginia Beach. Habit Burger & Grill opened its first Hampton Roads location Jan. 15 in Virginia Beach. Atomic Wings opened its first state location Jan. 18 in Virginia Beach. Hounds Town dog day care and boarding opened Jan. 18 in Newport News. Blissful Events luxury event venue celebrated its grand opening Jan. 19 in Williamsburg. Suffolk Humane Society held a grand reopening Jan. 24. US Foods opened two Chef’Store warehouses Jan. 25 in Hampton and Virginia Beach. Redwood Smoke Shack opened Jan. 28 in Suffolk. Chicken Salad Chick opened in Chesapeake’s Greenbrier neighborhood in January. UrgentVet opened a Newport News location in January. Charlie’s Antiques in Lightfoot closed Jan. 31. D1 Training gym opened Jan. 31 in Virginia Beach.

Phoebus Dive Bar in Hampton closed Dec. 31, 2024. Back Bay Brewing Co. had its last day at Back Bay Beach House Dec. 28, 2024; The Crow and Anchor pub will open in its place. Publix held a grand opening Dec. 12, 2024, for its first Virginia Beach location. The Whale Tea bubble tea shop held a soft opening Dec. 12, 2024, in Williamsburg. Pepper Palace hot sauce store opened Dec. 7, 2024, in downtown Williamsburg. New Realm Brewing Co. opened Nov. 22, 2024, in Suffolk.

Bald Guy Pies pizza food truck owners plan to open a restaurant in Williamsburg. Haru Sushi plans to open in the spring in Williamsburg Crossing. Kohl’s store in York County will close this spring. Salad House plans to open its first Hampton Roads restaurant in the Williamsburg area by spring. Voodoo Brewing plans to open a brewpub in early summer in Midtown Row, Williamsburg. Owl Creek Landing playground will open to the public in the spring behind the Virginia Aquarium in Virginia Beach. The Barry Art Museum at ODU will close July 31 for expansion and is expected to reopen in early 2027. Fogo de Chao Brazilian steakhouse is slated to open in the summer in Virginia Beach’s Pembroke Square. Funny Bone Comedy Club in Virginia Beach Town Center is relocating to Pembroke Square by early August. DraftCade arcade bar will also open in Pembroke Square several weeks after Funny Bone. Born Primitive is expanding its headquarters in Virginia Beach in the fall. Kiddie Academy plans to open a child care facility in October in Chesapeake.

VIRGINIA HOUSING MARKET ACTIVITY RISES IN MARCH

March 2025 saw increased activity in Virginia’s housing market.
Pending sales rose by 5.1% compared to March 2024.
New listings also increased year-over-year.
Closed sales were down slightly by 4.5% from March 2024.
Active listings increased by nearly 30%, adding over 4,400 homes.
Inventory is expanding, giving buyers more choices.
The statewide median sales price grew 5.3% to $418,000.
Most local markets saw higher median prices.
Rising prices and mortgage rates may temper the spring market.

Source:

Report: March Brought More Listings and Buyers to Virginia’s Housing Market

VIRGINIA HOUSING MARKET ACTIVITY INCREASES IN MARCH

Virginia’s housing market saw increased activity from both buyers and sellers in March 2025 compared to the previous year.
Pending sales rose by 5.1%, indicating a boost in buyer participation.
However, closed sales were down by 4.5% year-over-year.
Active listings saw a significant jump of nearly 30%, the largest increase in several years.
More than 80% of Virginia localities had more active listings.
While inventory remains tight overall, the increase provides buyers with more choices.
The statewide median sales price increased by 5.3% to $418,000.
Price growth was strong in most local markets, with 63% seeing higher median prices.
Rising inventory is seen as a positive for buyers amidst higher prices and volatile mortgage rates.

Source:

Report: March Brought More Listings and Buyers to Virginia’s Housing Market