This is WMBGHub’s monthly restaurant scorecard for the Greater Williamsburg market. We track reported openings, closures, relocations, and expansion announcements by jurisdiction so readers can quickly see where activity is concentrating.
Coverage window: recent months through Feb. 24, 2026
Geography: City of Williamsburg, James City County, York County
Monthly Scorecard (Current Snapshot)
| Jurisdiction | Openings / Reopenings | Closures Announced | Moves (In/Out/Within) | Expansion Announcements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Williamsburg | 2 | 2 | 2 (both within city) | 1 |
| James City County | 1 | 1 | 1 (move-in from city) | 2 |
| York County | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
How to read this: these are tracked business events from reported items, not a complete census of every permit or tenant change.
What is driving the conversation
- Tax differential: prepared-food customer tax burden is higher in Williamsburg than neighboring jurisdictions (13.5% vs 11.0% based on published rates).
- Non-tax pressures: owners continue citing rent, labor, retirement planning, and post-pandemic operating changes.
- Format shifts: at least one local brand shifted from dine-in to a smaller takeout-focused model.
Notable tracked items behind this month’s counts
- Carrot Tree Kitchens: relocated within Williamsburg (Jamestown Road corridor) and shifted to a smaller takeout-oriented format.
- Pie & Dine (formerly Jamestown Pie Company): announced reopening at 7103 Pocahontas Trail (James City County).
- The Hound’s Tale: moved from downtown Williamsburg to Settler’s Market.
- Taco Mexicali: reported second-location plan at 4917 Courthouse St.
- The Whaling Co.: announced closure timeline in James City County (end of Aug. 2026).
- Old Chickahominy House: announced closure in Williamsburg.
Methodology and caveats
- Counts are based on publicly reported announcements and explicit owner statements.
- A reopening after prior closure is counted under openings/reopenings for the jurisdiction where the business is reopening.
- A move within the same jurisdiction is counted as one move event in that jurisdiction.
- An expansion announcement is counted when a second-site plan is publicly reported.
- This scorecard is a rolling tracker and will be revised as openings are confirmed or plans change.
Sources
- City tax page: Williamsburg Finance Business Taxes
- JCC tax page: James City County Monthly Meals & Lodging Taxes
- York tax page: York County Prepared Food & Beverage (Meals) Tax
- WAVY closure/move report: 2 popular Williamsburg restaurants announce closings
- Virginian-Pilot business notes (Jan. 21, 2026): Carrot Tree relocation
- Virginian-Pilot business notes (Jan. 27, 2026): Jamestown Pie / Pie & Dine and other updates
- Daily Press report (Feb. 20, 2026): The Whaling Co. closure announcement
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