Colonial Williamsburg News
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Duck Donuts, with four stores in Duck, Corolla, Kill Devil Hills, and Kitty Hawk North Carolina has announced plans to open stores in Williamsburg and VA Beach.
The Williamsburg store will be in the Monticello Marketplace Shoppes (former Starbucks location) and the Virginia Beach store location is still in the approval process.
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Who doesn’t like the legendary sandwiches from the Cheese Shop in Williamsburg VA ? and who loves their original house dressing ?
After many years of requests, they are finally bottling their World Famous House Dressing! created by Mary Ellen Power, many years ago
Ashman Manufacturing Co.in VA Beach just produced the first batch of 984 bottles. The Cheese Shop’s The Original House Dressing is for sale in the store or by phone order placed with the shop over the phone. in 23-ounce jars for $14.85.
For more than four decades The Cheese Shop has offered hundreds of cheeses, wines and specialty foods.They have also become one of Williamsburg’s most popular destinations for a casual lunch or dinner. Located in the heart of Colonial Williamsburg’s Merchants Square. Stop by and enjoy a sandwich, some , cheese, wine by the glass on their patio on Duke of Gloucester or under the heated and covered patio on the side. (or find a nearby bench when its super busy!)
Check out the Cheese Shop website for more info or their Facebook page
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Tech investor, entrepreneur and past owner of Carters Grove, Halsey Minor filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy last week in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Los Angeles.
He is seeking protection from law firms, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, his ex-wife and current wife, among others.
He listed liabilities of between $50 million and $100 million with more than 60 creditors, and assets of between $10 million and $50 million.
Minor was an early investor in Salesforce.com and founded CNET Networks, a news website that he sold to CBS in 2008 for $1.8 billion. He also founded Minor Ventures in San Francisco, a firm that made more than half a dozen investments in early-stage tech startups.
In a statement responding to questions about his bankruptcy filing, Minor wrote:
“I love being an entrepreneur even though it involves financial risk. I have been fortunate enough to play a meaningful role in building great companies like CNET Networks, salesforce.com, Rhapsody, NBCi, the service known as Google Voice and others. But if you win some you are going to lose some too.
A case might be made I should never have strayed from technology. However, I like doing things outside my comfort zone, and I believe that willingness in part accounts for my tech successes.”
Under Chapter 7 a trustee is appointed by the court to liquidate the debtor’s assets for the benefit of creditors.
When news emerged last summer that the ongoing legal issues may have allowed the Carter’s Grove property to slip into disrepair, historical preservationists expressed frustration and pushed for action to save and restore the property, action that has since come to fruition.
“The damage was from lack of repair — it’s all been fixed,” said Stanley Samorajczyk, a court-appointed trustee for the Carter’s Grove estate. “I’ve had almost no dealings with Mr. Minor. I do not expect Mr. Minor’s bankruptcy to have any impact.”
Carter’s Grove is now listed for sale with Charlottesville-based McLean Faulconer, Inc. The property is being marketed for $14.95 million.
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Online grocer Relay Foods who just raised $8.25 million through a common stock sale will soon be operating pickup sites twice a week in Williamsburg, VA!
Relay Foods is thankful to have the opportunity to provide Williamsburg with a convenient and sustainable way to shop for your grocery staples, healthy, and local food, Relay Foods provides an online marketplace for your all of your grocery needs.
Relay collaborates with local farms, artisan food makers, and great brands to give you simple access to the best local edibles and everyday staples all in one place. We’re simplifying the sometimes overwhelming options, doing the legwork for you, and just giving you our best.
They partner with local farmers and vendors, as well as several different grocery stores including Whole Foods and distribute grocery orders through pickup sites.
Starting Thursday May 3,2013 in Williamsburg VA
Order your groceries by 11:59pm the day before your order is scheduled to be picked up in Williamsburg, and your groceries will be ready for you to pick up between the hours of 4:00pm-7:00pm.
Two pick up days and sites are set for New Town:
Tuesdays at Legacy Hall
Fridays at Civic Green
As part of their launch, amazing deals are offered each week in May, starting on May 3rd, our first official day in Williamsburg.
Week 1 (May 3 – May 10) Free Bounty basket (organic and/or conventional) with $50.00 purchase
Week 2 (May 13 – May 17) 2 Relay Pizzas with $75.00 purchase
Week 3 (May 20 – May 24) Tasting Box with $75.00 purchase
Week 4 (May 27 – May 31) Cava Mezze Party Pack with $75.00 purchase.
The launch party is May 3 at New town – more info at Relay Foods Williamsburg Launch Celebration – May 2013
The Charlottesville-based company offers a selection of local foods and national brands from a range of producers. Relay also serves Richmond, Charlottesville, NoVA, Baltimore and Washington, DC.
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A big-name public company is looking for a large block of office space in Richmond, potentially as a new home for its headquarters.
Lumber Liquidators, currently headquartered about 40 miles east of Richmond in Toano, is seeking between 30,000 and 45,000 square feet of office space in the area, according to half a dozen brokers and real estate developers with direct knowledge of the company’s requirements.
Lumber Liquidators has, over the past several months, toured properties across the region.
The company has looked at spaces in and around Innsbrook, according to three sources. Highwoods Properties confirmed it sent a proposal to Lumber Liquidators in January for space at its Stony Point office park on the Southside.
Lumber Liquidators already has a small presence in Richmond with 6,800 square feet in an office building at 5211 W. Broad St. near Willow Lawn.
The company’s most likely destination is downtown Richmond, where it has toured both existing office space and historic rehab projects, according to several sources.
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Xanterra the company that purchased Kingsmill Resort back in August of 2010 has filed a number of land use applications with James City County and seems to be poised to add a number of new home sites to the community,
Five subdivision plats were filed in February, according to county records. Most seem routine: One splits the York County portion of a parcel from its James City counterpart along Kingsmill Road. Another splits up a resort parking lot. A third encompasses more than 200 acres in and around the resort, but county planners have not been told there are any plans for development.
Another, roughly 270 acres around the Woods Course, will need to be rezoned to be part of the planned community before 90 or so planned homes can be added.
What was once intended to be an equestrian center and corral on 25 acres near the intersection of Kingsmill and Wareham’s Pond roads is being split into three parcels with a plan to build more homes.
Xanterra issued a press release announcing the sale of certain undeveloped land owned by Busch Properties, Inc located in the Kingsmill on the James community in Williamsburg, VA. to Xanterra .
Busch Properties, Inc.will also sell its residential real estate brokerage company, Kingsmill Realty, Inc., to Kingsmill Resort Development,, another Xanterra affiliate
The sale of the Busch Properties, Inc. assets to Xanterra and KRD is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2013 and will result in the Kingsmill declarant and developer rights and Kingsmill Realty being reunited with Kingsmill Resort under common ownership as Xanterra acquired the 1,025-acre Kingsmill Resort in 2010.
In laymans terms Xanterra "will be able to add land and home sites to the community without a membership vote," according to a KCSA blast email to homeowners.
The other terms and conditions of the sale were not disclosed.
Acquisition of the undeveloped Kingsmill property and the brokerage company reaffirms Xanterra’s investment in and commitment to the Kingsmill community. Since 2010, Xanterra has made numerous investments at Kingsmill Resort, including construction of the new James Landing Grill at the Kingsmill Marina and a new pool complex, as well as bringing back an LPGA tour event to the Resort.
"We are very excited about this acquisition. We feel that this is a great opportunity to ensure that both the community’s and the Resort’s interests remain aligned and that the community as a whole continues to be successful well into the future,” said Andrew N. Todd, Xanterra’s president and CEO.
While Xanterra has already begun preliminary work on future development plans related to undeveloped areas on both Resort lands and the property to be purchased from BPI, Xanterra looks forward to working with the community’s master association (Kingsmill Community Services Association), James City County, and the community in general on these plans to make sure that community interests are ultimately aligned.
Read more about Kingsmill here
Search homes for sale in Kingsmill here
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It’s a poor quality photo but does anyone recognize the male and female in this photo ?
After 15 years in business with no theft, Bikes Unlimited bike shop owner Barry Herneisey was hit in broad daylight while they were open
Surveillance video captured a man and woman stealing a $7,200 bike from Bikes Unlimited in Williamsburg Shopping Center on Thursday. (WATCH IT HERE)
Local bike shop owner Barry Herneisey said three people were involved in the theft of a Bianchi 928 bicycle valued at $7200 . The couple who stole the Bianchi road bike were apparently aided by another man who entered shop about five minutes later and occupied Herneisey. It was the most expensive bike in Herneisey’s inventory.
You can watch the theft on the video below. The theft occurs about 7 minutes into the video. Among those who saw the video were the owners of Bike Beat at Monticello Marketplace, who then contacted Herneisey.
The couple was described as Hispanic, with the man standing about 5-feet-7 and the woman about 5-feet-3.
If you have any information on this theft please call Bikes Unlimited 757 229 4620
A Five Hundred Dollar Reward will be paid by Mr Williamsburg for information leading to the arrest of the thieves and recovery of the bike
Please help us catch the crooks that stole from our local bike shop. They stole a Bianchi 928 that was worth thousands. You can see them enter the store around the 14:04 mark and they leave with the bike at the 14:09 mark. The camera system and recovered footage was done by Xactec here in Williamsburg, VA.
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A national chain restaurant Noodles & Company plans to open in Settlers Market in Williamsburg VA.
Noodles & Company promotes itself as one of the fastest growing fast-casual restaurant chains in the country, with favorite items that include Japanese pan noodles, a Chinese chop salad, penne rosa and Wisconsin macaroni and cheese.
The restaurant’s specialty, yes, is noodles, serving them up in a variety of styles: Asian, Mediterranean and American. You will also find a variety of macaroni and cheeses on the menu (a down-home style with cheddar and jack cheeses and a version with truffle oil and sautéed Portobello mushrooms) as well as Asian-style noodles (pad Thai and Japanese pan noodles) and Mediterranean pastas (pasta fresca and penne rosa).
The restaurant also offers soups, sandwiches and salads.
Find out more about Noodles & Company, including its full menu, at potentially the best Web address out there, Noodles.com.
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Make plans now to come to our Job Fair on Saturday January 19, 2013 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.
Busch Gardens and Water Country USA in Williamsburg VA will hold a job fair this Saturday.
The job fair will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Das Festhaus restaurant in the Germany section of Busch Gardens. Applicants should use the employee and entrance off Route 60.
For directions and other information, go to www.bgwjobs.com or call 757-253-3020.
Are you retired and looking for a second career or do you just want to get out of the house? Do you live close by or do you visit the warmer climates to avoid the winter weather?
Busch Gardens and Water Country USA recognizes the experience and talents that you possess. We will work with you to provide an exciting opportunity that will fit your lifestyle whether you are interested in a full time, a part-time or a seasonal position. By joining our team you will:
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Join in for an afternoon of fun and FREE YOGURT!!! From 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Saturday, January 5, we will be serving FREE delicious yogurt, Treybo will be making balloon creations, and we will have balloons and tattoos for all. Join in the fun and start your year off right! Donations will be accepted for St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Yogurtini®, originally established in Tempe, Arizona in 2008, announces its expansion into Virginia with the grand opening of the popular frozen yogurt franchise in Williamsburg at The Shops at High Street, 1430 High Street, Williamsburg, VA 23185.
"We are so excited to bring Yogurtini® to the Williamsburg area. We’ve already received a tremendous amount of support from the community. Everyone loves having so many choices of flavors of premium real yogurt and the amazing assortment of toppings," said Ben Hill, co-owner of the new Williamsburg franchise location. "We are expecting a huge turnout for the grand opening and are thrilled to be partnering with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and supporting their commitment to helping children with cancer," he continued.
The Williamsburg location is the first Yogurtini® store in Virginia. Yogurtini has quickly built a devoted following of its non-fat, real yogurt, pay by the ounce model by providing its customers with a unique experience upon each visit. The serve-yo-self® concept allows customers to make their own frozen yogurt creation, mixing blends and concoctions just like a signature martini.
Yogurtini® regularly has classic flavors such as Ultimate Chocolate, Classic Vanilla, Chelsey’s Cheesecake, and Peanut Butter, but there is always a surprise for the more adventurous like Northshore Pineapple Tart, Toasted Marshmallow and Ruby Red Grapefruit Tartini. The incomparable Yogurtini® "House" Tart, along with a non-dairy and no sugar added flavor option is always a mainstay. At Yogurtini, Flavortini© recipes are created by mixing an array of frozen yogurts and toppings like the famous "Extra Dirty", a favorite among their loyal following.
1430 High Street Ste. 1104
Williamsburg, VA 23185 @ High Street
11am – 9pm Sun – Thurs
11am – 10pm Fri & Sat
(757) 903-4730
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Construction crews are busy at work on the Settlers Market shopping center in James City County. Once complete it will feature 250,000 square feet of retail space along with an adjoining residential component located along Settlers Market Boulevard adjacent to the center.
At this point a Spring 2013 opening is planned for the new Stein Mart, HomeGoods ,ULTA Michaels,Dress Barn, Five Below and Shoe Carnival stores.
They will join the existing Trader Joes, Bakers Crust, AT&T,Sleepy’s Long & Foster Real Estate, BB&T Bank as well as a “Wal Mart Neighborhood Market” grocery store that is on track to start construction soon.
The center is being developed by FCP and its partner, Westmoreland Partners,who are represented in retail leasing by the Norfolk office of The Shopping Center Group.
Settlers Market was acquired by Federal Capital Partners and Westmoreland Partners earlier this year for $13.25 million from Union Bank who foreclosed on the property in Feb 2011
The original owner/ developer was AIG Baker who had originally obtained a $55.5 million note to develop the property with a 350,000-square-foot combination of upscale retail, office and residential space. AIG Baker’s plans ground to a halt in 2008 with the downturn in the economy
Settlers Market is located at the intersection of Rt 199 and Monticello Avenue and is the gateway for the New Town Master Plan Development Corridor.
The acquisition was the second FCP transaction with Howard Biel and Drew Gorman of WML since the company announced an alliance with the retail veterans in fall 2010. The alliance focuses on purchasing development and redevelopment opportunities, notes on troubled assets and existing income-producing retail assets throughout the Mid-Atlantic.
"Settler’s Market … was in need of a new owner, developer, capital and vision to complete the center," said FCP Managing Partner, Esko Korhonen. "We had the opportunity to purchase the site at a significant discount to in-place cost and will be working closely with representative agencies of James City County and the New Town Associates Design and Review Board to revisit the current site plan so that the project can maximize its potential."
Psst. I’m a real estate agent…
This post is brought to you by local resident and REALTOR, John Womeldorf, known around town as “Mr. Williamsburg” because of his extensive knowledge of the Williamsburg/Hampton Roads area and its real estate market. If you are relocating, retiring, seeking a vacation home, or simply curious about homes and neighborhoods in the Williamsburg/Hampton Roads area, John is happy to help. Click here to send him an email, or call him at 757-254-8136.
Neighborhood Orientation Tours
Are the schools good? How is the traffic? Can you hear planes from nearby airports? Where is the closest grocery store?
It can be daunting to get all the information you need to choose not only the right house, but also the right neighborhood. Schedule one of John’s Neighborhood Orientation tours of communities in the Williamsburg/Hampton Roads area to get such essentials as:
home prices – shopping centers – military bases – recreational facilities – public and private schools – public transportation – aircraft/traffic noise – high potential accident zones – flood zones – playgrounds – major traffic patterns and commute times
Click here to email John about arranging a tour, or call him at 757-254-8136.
Are You A Military Family?
PCS’ing to Williamsburg/Hampton Roads ? the area is home to many military families. John is experienced in helping them with the unique issues raised by frequent relocations, and he understands the kind of support team it takes to make smooth transitions both into and out of the area. Click here to email John about your needs and concerns, or call him at 757-254-8136.
Specific Needs Properties
Active Adults/55+ Communities, Golfing Communities, Building Lots, Foreclosure/REO Properties, Townhomes, Condominiums, Waterfront, Walk able, Horse Properties and more….
If you have a specific type of property in mind, John can help you find it. For assistance in unearthing just the right property in the Williamsburg/Hampton Road area, click here to contact John by email, or call him at 757-254-8136.
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James City County’s Board of Supervisors and Economic Development Authority (EDA) recognized Kingsmill Resort at its 19th annual Celebration of Business. Kingsmill Resort was this year’s recipient of the Captain John Smith Award, given by the County’s economic development team to a business, organization or individual for exemplary contributions in the James City County (JCC) business community.
In presenting Kingsmill Resort the award, Roberts District Supervisor and 2012 Board Chairman, John McGlennon, noted the company has been a member of the JCC business community since the 1970s, “For more than 30 years, Kingsmill Resort has assisted in supporting a thriving tourism base for James City County and the Historic Triangle. Kingsmill Resort is the 2012 recipient of the Captain John Smith Award for their continued investment in James City County and their sustainable efforts at the resort.”
Receiving the award for Kingsmill Resort was Wayne Nooe, Vice President of Golf and Club Operations. Nooe stated, “On behalf of Kingsmill Resort, both Robin Carson and I thank you and your businesses for supporting the resort and events we have at Kingsmill. We are happy to be here in James City County and have had wonderful partnerships over the years.”
Kingsmill Resort was originally developed by Anheuser-Busch, but was sold to Xanterra Parks and Resorts in 2010. Xanterra is a privately-owned United States park and resort management company based in Greenwood Village, Colorado. The resort hosted a total of 29 professional golf tournaments from 1981 through 2009, notably among them LPGA and PGA Tour events. In 2012, Kingsmill Resort announced the return of the LPGA to James City County with the inaugural Kingsmill Championship which was held in September 2012. The tournament event will be held again in May 2013.
The Celebration of Business is an appreciation event for existing companies in James City County. The event was held on Nov. 1, 2012 in the Jamestown Settlement’s Rotunda and Great Hall.
Photo Caption: L to R: Board of Supervisors Chair, John McGlennon; Kingsmill Resort, Wayne Nooe; Economic Development Authority Chair, Paul Gerhardt; JCC County Administrator, Robert C. Middaugh
About Kingsmill on The James
Kingsmill On The James is a vibrant resort community, less than three miles from Colonial Williamsburg, and located on a 2900 acre protected area along the historic James River. Forty percent of the rolling green and wooded development will remain untouched. The two gated entrances are manned round the clock and there is a private police force.
There are a wide variety of housing choices available for sale in Kingsmill, these range from condos, townhouses, and courtyard/ patio/ villas on smaller lots to smaller detached single family and large luxury homes, many with first floor master suites. Many of the homes were designed with seniors in mind.
There are six restaurants on site, 54 holes of golf with a golf club house, and a tennis club with fifteen courts. There is a superb sports club with both indoor and outdoor pools, racquetball courts, sauna, and fitness rooms. There is also a full service spa and a large marina on the river with access to the bay. The full service marina has 90 permanent slips and 15 transient boat slips.
Kingsmill is located off I-64 between Richmond and Norfolk and within close proximity to Williamsburg’s numerous destinations including Busch Gardens, Colonial Williamsburg, The College of William & Mary, Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center.
For additional information about Kingsmill real estate click here
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Williamsburg Crossing , which in the past was one of the area’s most popular shopping centers was acquired by LNR Partners Inc., a financial services provider for $5.3 million at a recent auction sale.
The buyer, a commercial real estate developer, was the original note holder for the property.
The single-story retail building at 5251 John Tyler Highway was completed in 1990 and totals 150,000 square feet.
The 17.3-acre shopping center is located at the intersection of John Tyler Highway and Route 199. According to James City County tax records, the property’s value is assessed at $6.6 million. It was owned by Williamsburg Crossing LLC; a company created by Calvin Davis
The property included two buildings. it is anchored by a Food Lion grocery store and is also home to Greenwood Christian Academy, Benjamin Moore Paints, a Fantastic Sams salon, Nails Uptown and others.
LNR Partners, LLC, the note holder began as an operating unit within Lennar Corporation, a national homebuilder (developer of Colonial Heritage). In October 1997, Lennar spun off LNR as a separately traded public company to distinguish it from Lennar’s homebuilding business and to maximize the respective values of its commercial property and homebuilding businesses. In February 2005, LNR was taken private .In 2010, LNR was recapitalized by a consortium of investors including Cerberus, Vornado, Oaktree, iStar, and Aozora.
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Davis Media owner of the Tide and WBACH radio stations in Williamsburg is replicating its efforts in the Wilmington NC Market.
The company purchased six Wilmington radio stations: WUIN – The Penguin, 98.3FM; WBNE – The Bone, 103.7FM; WLTT & WNTB — The Big Talker, FM 93.7FM and 106.3FM; and WSFM – Bach Radio, 95.9FM and 1180AM and is mirroring their business plan from Williamsburg..
Listeners to those stations will now hear Port City Daily reporters delivering the news and talking about their stories just as WYDaily reporters do here in Williamsburg.
Tom Davis, company founder said the Wilmington market was attractive to the company as it looked to expand its radio-driven paperless newspaper concept, which it pioneered in Williamsburg in 2008.
“The Cape Fear region is a well-educated, engaged market with elements our company likes working with: a respected university, quality health care providers and numerous cultural assets that make living – and visiting – enjoyable,” Davis said in the release. “Our advertisers are excited about adding another way of bringing their message to residents, which we call ‘listen and click’. We’re excited to be partners as they grow their businesses.
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Merchants Square in Colonial Williamsburg has launched a completely redesigned website aimed at bringing you timely news and information about events in the Square and special promotions from their merchants.
Located adjacent to Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area, Merchants Square is an 18th-century style retail village with over 40 shops and restaurants. Visitors and local residents alike regularly experience the Square’s unique shopping, dining and special events offerings in a setting of unrivaled beauty.
All of the merchants are now active participants in maintaining their events and promotions on the website.
The website is intended to be a one-stop tool for learning what’s happening in the Square.
REMINDER: Don’t miss the Merchants Square semi-annual sidewalk sale this weekend, September 14-16! The sale runs Friday through Sunday during store hours.
Click here to visit the Merchants Square website.
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The Mason School of Business at the College of William & Mary and William & Mary Law School will host the second annual McGlothlin Leadership Forum October 2-4, 2012.
Named in honor of James McGlothlin, Chairman and CEO of The United Company, the Forum will bring three distinguished leaders in business and law to the campus. Chosen annually, the Fellows exemplify the pinnacle of leadership, vision, integrity, and revolutionary thinking.
The Forum will feature a series of discussions between and among the McGlothlin Leadership Forum Fellows–pre-eminent leaders in their fields–and students and faculty of the business and law schools, culminating in a plenary session of open exchange, active debate, and analysis of the challenges the U.S. will face after the presidential election.
The McGlothlin Forum Fellows for 2012 are:
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Here’s your chance to get some answers.
Don’t fall into the trap of "Build it and they will come" (because they won’t)
Where: Williamsburg Library, Schell Room
515 Scotland St, Williamsburg VA 23185
When: Wednesday, August 29, 6:00 – 8:00 PM
FREE ADMISSION, BUT SPACE IS LIMITED SO REGISTER NOW
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Interstate Hotels & Resorts is slowly building up its ownership portfolio, with joint venture partner Waramaug Hospitality L.L.C. at its side. Now Interstate and Waramaug have teamed on the acquisition of the former Marriott Hotel Williamsburg, a 295-room lodging destination near the historic Colonial Williamsburg historic district in Williamsburg, Va.
Interstate has wasted precious little time in pursuing its repositioning plan for the property, having already renamed it the Williamsburg Hotel & Conference Center. That’s just the beginning. The global hotel management company will invest $7.5 million on a renovation program that will transform the hotel into an upper-scale product carrying the DoubleTree by Hilton flag.
Located on 15 wooded acres within the Busch Corporate Center in Williamsburg, the hotel is the closest hotel to Busch Gardens and within minutes of Colonial Williamsburg, the College of William & Mary and world-class golf courses, with easy access to both the Richmond and Norfolk airports. The Williamsburg Hotel & Conference Center features 45,000 square feet of meeting space for up to 1,600 people and an auditorium with capacity for more than 700. Other amenities include three dining options, an indoor/outdoor connecting swimming pool, seasonal tennis courts and a full-service fitness and business center.
For more information about The Williamsburg Hotel & Conference Center, please visit www.thewilliamsburghotelcc.com
The Williamsburg Hotel marks Interstate and Waramaug’s second purchase this year, and their fourth joint venture endeavor. In January, the partners purchased the 300-room Crowne Plaza Columbus North hotel in Ohio. And last year, the companies teamed up to buy the 265-room Crowne Plaza Tampa East in Florida and Colorado’s Sheraton Denver Tech Center.
Interstate and Waramaug are sticking to the non-core markets and properties that will benefit substantially from comprehensive upgrades. All four of their hotels will get multimillion-dollar makeovers. “This partnership is looking at turnaround opportunities, and those that we’ve found so far have been in good secondary markets,” said Blum. “And in each case, these properties have been neglected and lacked significant capital improvements.”
Together, Interstate and Waramaug plan to shell out as much as $300 million on acquisitions over the next year or so.
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Five local professional homebuilders are joining Habitat for Humanity to build five homes for five low-income families in 30 days in James City County The builders are:Charles Ross Homes, Garnett Construction, Earley and Associates Building Inc., Tidewater Properties & Construction Company and Wayne Harbin Builder, Inc.
Wayne Harbin Builder is building their home in 7 DAYS!
This is the 3rd Home Builders Blitz home Wayne Harbin Builder will have completed in SEVEN DAYS (they built the first one in 2006, then 2008 and now this year)!
Wayne Harbin Builder was founded in Yorktown, Virginia in 1985 by Wayne Harbin and now includes his two sons Doug and Brad. Home Enhancements, the Remodel Division of Wayne Harbin Builder was formed in 2007 by Doug and Brad Harbin to expand the company to cover the needs for quality additions and renovations. “It is our good fortune to be able to give back and serve the community in this way,” said Brad Harbin, Vice President of Wayne Harbin Builder, Inc. “We are enlisting the help of our suppliers, subcontractors, employees and business associates.” This one story, three bedroom, two bathroom home is being constructed for Angele Cowles and her two sons, 14-year old Kitrell and 13-year old Devron. Angele works for the Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools as a bus driver and for the Salvation Army
How truly amazing to walk into the Wayne Harbin Builder home and see it is basically done! From last Saturday when they started to frame the home to the finished home today is truly astonishing! The cabinets are in, the walls are finished, the final flooring was just being put in place, and someone was even hanging a beautiful ceiling fan! Truly remarkable!
The other wonderful builders were continuing their amazing work on all the other homes.
Follow the progress here http://www.habitatpgw.org/hbb-2012-blog.html
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La Tienda, the Williamsburg VA, Va.-based specialty importer of gourmet foods from Spain, has hired Jim Easton has joined as COO. For the previous 10 years, Easter was vice president of the products division with Colonial Williamsburg. He previously worked with retailers such as Toys R Us, Lord & Taylor and Dayton Hudson.
“We are thrilled to have Jim on board, given his vast experience in consumer product marketing and business development,” said Tim Harris, CEO and co-owner. “He’s a terrific addition to our passionate and talented staff at La Tienda.”
La Tienda just celebrated its 15th anniversary as an online retailer with distribution channels through the internet, catalog and a retail store.
La Tienda offers more than 800 gourmet foods from Spain. Family-owned and managed, the business is dedicated to working with artisan and small family businesses.
The La Tienda retail store in Williamsburg is a 3600 square foot store offers all of their great products from Spain, plus wine tastings and other special events. There’s always someone on hand to guide your exploration of Spanish food or regale you with stories from the byways of Spain.
For a more detailed account of how La Tienda.com came to be, you can read Don’s reflection A Love Affair with Spain: How La Tienda Began.
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The new Food Lion grocery store recently opened in Williamsburg, Va., (Croaker Rd & Richmond Rd) has been awarded a LEED Silver certification for a number of environmentally friendly construction and energy-efficient features.
Established by the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification recognizes the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.
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Divaris Real Estate has been appointed the exclusive leasing and management firm for The Marquis Shopping Center, located at Route 199 and I-64 in Williamsburg, Virginia. The Marquis is a 750,000-square-foot, regional power center. At its completion, The Marquis will be the largest retail development in Williamsburg, featuring specialty retailers and restaurants and several big-box retailers including Target, Kohl’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Best Buy and JCPenney.
All five major anchor tenants are committed to staying in Williamsburg, having signed on with The Marquis during its pre-development stage. “The tenants are pleased with the performance of their stores and happy with the co-tenants that exist in The Marquis,” said Shawn Todd, CEO of Todd Interests, the development company that recently purchased the property. To that extent Dick’s and Best Buy have extended their leases since ownership changed in late 2011.
“Now that Todd Interests have acquired the property and have stabilized the issues of The Marquis’ former developer, we are excited about the ongoing plans for redevelopment,” said David Berndt, Partner in David Berndt Interests, Ltd., who has entered into a joint venture with Todd Interests for the additional development of the site.
Phase I of The Marquis is now open and Phase II is expected to be delivered by the fall of 2013. In addition to the major big box anchor tenants, negotiations are underway with several restaurants, soft goods, apparel and a theater tenant.
“The Marquis is located off Interstate 64 with unique demographics and physical attributes. This makes the large development regional in nature, with a draw that reaches Gloucester,” said Divaris.
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Local hotel veterans Kimberly Christner and partner Craig Larson celebrated the opening of their new management company ,Cornerstone Hospitality which opened its doors on April 2, 2012 in Williamsburg, Virginia. The company will be focused on property management and development of select service brands and Life-Style hotels, as well as boutique, small resort and historic properties.
Cornerstone Hospitality was created with the owner in mind. With focus on personal attention, revenue maximization, sales and exceptional operating programs, the firm’s principals have a combined experience of nearly 50 years and a great reputation in the hospitality community.
Kimberly Christner said that when they started talking about forming a management company they took great time and care in developing their desired culture. “We wanted to be sure that we were a different kind of hotel management company. There are a lot of choices available. We needed to distinguish ourselves from the mega management companies. So, our company focus is a bottom up approach. It’s about developing the people who operate the properties, creating a culture that can be seen and felt at a property as well as insuring that we personally touch our hotels and our teams on a weekly basis. Our guiding principle is about treating people the way we would want to be treated. Thus, we operate the managed hotels we oversee as if we own them. That’s our ‘cornerstone’ and it’s a profitable one for our owners.”
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Chef and author Marcel Desaulniers hasn’t quite retired, in fact he is opening a new chocolate café in Williamsburg where he will serve some of his signature over-the-top chocolate desserts, cookies, brownies and much, much more!
Your chocolate cravings can be filled starting this Saturday April 14th when Mad About Chocolate is scheduled to open at 204 Armistead Avenue.
Marcel Deaulniers, author of Death by Chocolate and former chef/owner of the Trellis Restaurant is opening MAD about Chocolate in Williamsburg VA.
Following a two-year rest (which he apparently spent with visions of chocolate spinning in his head) Marcel Desaulniers, award-winning chef and author of “Death by Chocolate,” will open MAD about Chocolate, a chocolate café.
This chocolate cafe will serve Marcel’s over-the-top desserts (he originated Death by Chocolate Cake back in 1982 – long before it became part of the vernacular). MAD about Chocolate will also offer cookies, brownies, ice cream and assorted other concoctions, plus sweet and non-sweet versions of cheesecake, bread pudding, pies as well as soups and beverages.
Need more temptation?
Everything will be made from scratch using all-natural ingredients in the MAD about Chocolate open kitchen. With only 12 seats, take-out and internet sales will be a large part of the business.
Marcel will operate MAD about Chocolate with his wife, Connie, an artist who has owned a marketing agency for 22 years. The interior will include Connie’s art, and many of the components – such as tables, light fixtures and display counters – will be created by local artisans.
The art-filled café will be located at the Triangle Building, 204 Armistead Ave., a block from Colonial Williamsburg and The College of William and Mary.
In addition to being chef and co-owner of the Trellis Restaurant in Colonial Williamsburg’s Merchant Square for 30 years Marcel wrote 10 cookbooks (eight about chocolate) and won numerous culinary awards.
Location Map and Directions to Mad About Chocolate
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A message from Michael Claar, general manager of the new D.o.G. Street Pub:
Every dog has his day…ours is in April. Chef David Everett’s D.o.G. Street Pub plans to open its doors around the middle of the month. Once the Suntrust Bank, this American Gastropub will feature 17 draft imports and craft beers to compliment Chef Everett’s delectable "Pub Grub."
Guests can enjoy a relaxed lunch on the patio wrapping around the corner of Henry and D.o.G. Street or elbow up to the bar for a late evening dry Irish stout. See you soon!
Serving lunch, dinner and late-night, 11a.m.-12a.m. Sun-Thu, 11a.m.-1a.m. Fri-Sat. 757-293-6478
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A judge has thrown out a proposed settlement between millionaire Halsey Minor and Colonial Williamsburg, calling a plan to have the foundation loan Minor hundreds of thousands of dollars to fix-up the deteriorating mansion "preposterous."
According to the settlement plan submitted last week, Colonial Williamsburg would advance Minor up to $800,000 to pay for repairs and expenses to maintain the mansion. He would pay the money back with 4% annual interest tacked on.
The goal is to eventually sell Carter’s Grove, a process that took three years when Colonial Williamsburg put the property up for sale in 2006.
The plan didn’t sit well with Bankruptcy Court Judge Stephen C. St. John. According to a report in Sunday’s Virginian-Pilot. He ordered a trustee be appointed to handle the administration of the property, taking the role from Minor.
Read more in the Va Gazette here
Carter’s Grove was donated to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation in the late 1960s, and it was used to illustrate 18th-century plantation life until 2002.
But faced with a growing deficit, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation sold Carter’s Grove in 2007 to Halsey Minor for $15.3 million. Minor had agreed to maintain the property, putting down $5 million and securing the rest with a foundation loan.
But Minor stopped making payments in summer 2010, and the foundation sought foreclosure. Minor’s Carter’s Grove LLC then filed for bankruptcy protection.
The foundation says it’s owed $4.1 million and interest.
Minor has said publicly that he had no choice but to place his Carter’s Grove LLC in bankruptcy. In his filing, he claims $12 million in debts, all encumbered on the property.
Foundation officials allege that instead of maintaining and repairing the building, Minor used the equity in it for a $5 million lease of a personal jet, secured with a lien on Carter’s Grove, according to court filings. Now the jet company, AVN Air LLC, has filed a claim with the bankruptcy court.
Minor also purchased millions in artwork from Sotheby’s auctions, secured through a third lien on Carter’s Grove. Sotheby’s says it’s owed $3.4 million.
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Volatility in the real estate market has been on nearly everyone’s mind for the last few years given the ripple effect it has caused on the economy.
The Mason School of Business is hosting its second annual real estate conference where three global real estate powerhouses and pre-eminent experts in the real estate field will converge to discuss Surviving Today, Succeeding Tomorrow on the historic campus of the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA, April 11 +12.
John Cushman of Cushman and Wakefield, Walter Rakowich of Prologis, and Ken Himmel of Related Urban will headline the event which will explore the next steps and challenges real estate professionals should consider in the current climate.
Tickets may be purchased by individuals for $150 each.
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A new chapter is about to unfold for the Williamsburg Pottery.
After 13 months of construction the 160,000 sq. ft. retail project is getting ready for it’s grand re-opening.
The $30-million revitalization and construction project is creating an entirely new design and shopping experience beginning in April 2012.
The Grand Opening is scheduled for April 5, 2012 – the 100th birthday of the company’s revered founder, Jimmy Maloney.
| Want to go? Grand opening events begin this Thursday, April 5, at 10 a.m. with a welcome and unveiling of a tribute to Maloney, a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10:30 a.m. and doors opening to shoppers at 11 a.m. Gov. Bob McDonnell and Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling are slated to attend. |
Construction began on the new Williamsburg Pottery in December, 2010 at the original 1938 location on Richmond Road, following demolition of the old outlet buildings on the site. 
Also nearing completion at the front of the Pottery parking lot is Williamsburg’s first Au Bon Pain, a cafe that specializes in artisan breads, pastries, sandwiches, soups, and much more.
Guernsey-Tingle Architects designed the Pottery project in a traditional European Market theme.
Prominent features of the new Williamsburg Pottery include a unique silhouette with energy-efficient lighting and a courtyard with a stage for live music and performances, plus inside/outside seating at the Café & Bakery and Deli.
Shoppers will still find the Pottery’s famous range of artisans and their services, such as the award-winning custom framing and silk floral arrangement, as well as its famed salt-glaze pottery and "own-grown" geraniums and plants, all produced on the Pottery’s grounds.
These will be joined by diverse merchandise, including glassware, china, cookware and kitchen gadgets, gourmet foods, artisanal wines and craft beers, home fashions, lamps, home decor, candles and home fragrances, Virginia gifts and country store, seasonal items and much more.
The manufacture of the famous Salt Glaze Pottery continues in its previous location on the "Solar Side" of the tracks along with greenhouse operation.
The owners estimate that 60 or more jobs will be created with the re-opening
Check back here for the date of a Preview Opening in March 2012!
What’s your favorite Pottery memory ? Please share below……
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Dominion is currently seeking public feedback on a Surry-Skiffes Creek 500kV transmission line route, to compare it to the Chickahominy- Skiffes Creek 500kV transmission line route that we continue to evaluate. The 7.2-mile Surry-Skiffes Creek route would originate in Surry, cross the James River, and terminate in James City County. The scope of the Skiffes Creek-Whealton 230kV line utilizing existing right-of-way easements remains unchanged (see map below).
For more information, click here
Or attend the Open House, where you can talk directly with Dominion representatives. Dominion is committed to providing reliable electricity to our customers. Electrical demand in the Hampton Roads area is projected to increase by more than 20 percent by summer 2020. This growth will challenge the existing electrical grid and create the potential for overloads and violations of North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) reliability standards. Recently announced plans for retirement of local generation facilities have accelerated the need for new transmission lines to be built and in service by late 2014. Dominion has assessed preliminary environmental, cultural and historical information and calculated the costs of electrically viable alternatives.
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New York-based Apollo Global Management LLC said Tuesday it will buy Great Wolf Lodge Resorts for $703 million, which includes taking on the company’s outstanding debt.
Great Wolf Resorts, which operates 11 properties around the country, including one in Williamsburg, VA
These resorts generally feature 300–600 rooms and a large indoor entertainment area measuring 40,000–100,000 square feet. The all-suite properties offer a variety of room styles, arcade/game rooms, fitness rooms, themed restaurants, spas, supervised children’s activities and other amenities.
The transaction was unanimously recommended by an independent strategic review committee of the board of directors of Great Wolf and unanimously approved by the board of directors of Great Wolf, who are recommending that Great Wolf stockholders tender their shares in the offer.
Apollo is offering to buy all outstanding shares of Great Wolf common stock for $5 per share.
The news sent Great Wolf shares up 90 cents, or 21 percent, to $5.09 in morning trading.
Apollo Global Management, LLC is an investment firm, founded in 1990 by former Drexel Burnham Lambert banker Leon Black. The firm specializes in leveraged buyout transactions and purchases of distressed securities involving corporate restructuring, special situations and industry consolidations. The firm has invested over $16 billion in companies.
As of September 2011, Apollo managed over $65 billion of investor commitments across its private equity, capital markets and real estate funds and other investment vehicles Among the most notable companies currently owned by Apollo are AMC Entertainment, Claire’s, Caesars Entertainment Corporation, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Realogy (Coldwell Banker. Sotheby’s International Realty and Century 21 Real Estate), CKE (Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. Restaurants. Ltd) and CKX (American Idol, Elvis Presley, Muhammad Ali and Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, a company that owns and operates eleven amusement parks and seven water parks across North America including an indoor water park in Sandusky, Ohio.
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News from Williamsburg VA News From W&M
