—Compiled by Butch Maier / Photo above: courtesy of TowneBank
COMMERICAL REAL ESTATE
Retail
Regency Hilltop Shopping Center in Virginia Beach is set to undergo a significant transformation with a comprehensive renovation program and the future opening of Ross Dress for Less, according to S.L. Nusbaum Realty Co. Enhancements will include upgraded building façades, newly designed storefronts, enhanced landscaping, and the addition of a central pedestrian walkway. Renovations are expected to be completed ahead of the 2026 holiday shopping season. slnusbaum.com
EDUCATION
Higher Education
The Old Dominion University Board of Visitors announced a formal contract extension for President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D., securing his leadership of the institution through 2032. odu.edu
Early Childhood
Child Development Resources opened a 42,000-square-foot campus at 312 Waller Mill Road in Williamsburg—a $15 million project nearly five years in the making. The new campus allows CDR, which provides early intervention therapies for children, as well as educational programming for parents and caregivers, to serve more children and families. cdr.org
Celebree School, which provides infant care, toddler care, preschool, and summer camp programs, broke ground on a Virginia Beach location at 1808 Salem Road, with plans to open in the fall. celebree.com/virginia-beach-va
ENVIRONMENT
Initiative
The environmental organization askHRgreen.org invites businesses across Coastal Virginia to take part in the Bay Star program, a free community initiative designed to protect and improve the region’s waterways through simple, everyday actions. askHRgreen.org/BayStar
FINANCE
Banking
Portsmouth-based TowneBank welcomed more than 800 attendees to its annual meeting, where Executive Chairman G. Robert Aston Jr. highlighted the bank’s 2025 performance and growth. The Board of Directors declared TowneBank’s second-quarter common stock cash dividend of $0.28 per common share, or $1.12 per common share on an annual basis, was a 3.7% increase from the previous dividend rate. Following the acquisition of three banks over the past 15 months, CEO and President Billy Foster shared the company’s continued commitment to relationship-based, Main Street banking, and excitement about TowneBank’s expansion across Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Forbes ranked Virginia Beach-based Chartway Credit Union as the No. 1 credit union in Virginia for the fifth year in row. Chartway also opened a new branch location at Town Center in Virginia Beach.
HEALTHCARE
Philanthropy
Norfolk philanthropist
Kay Abiouness committed $1 million to establish The Kay Abiouness Endowment Fund for Clinical Operations, providing support for pediatric care across the Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters Health System, CHKD announced. The announcement also marked the first named position at CHKD, the Kay Abiouness distinguished chief of clinical operations, honoring Dr. Christopher Foley, CHKD’s senior vice president and chief clinical operations officer. chkd.org
Photo By Holly Watters
HOSPITALITY
Entertainment
The Greater Williamsburg
Sports and Events Center opened, ushering in a new era of sports tourism, community programming, and economic impact for the region. The City of Williamsburg (64 percent) and Historic Triangle Recreation Facilities Authority (36 percent) covered the $80 million construction cost for the center, which is located adjacent to the Colonial Williamsburg Regional Visitor Center. The sports and events center features versatile hardwood courts, flexible event space, modern amenities for athletes and spectators, and the capacity to accommodate local, regional, and national competitions. James City County and York County will share the cost of the operating subsidy using the revenue from tourism-related taxes, such as sales, meals, and lodging taxes. The counties will provide $400,000 each in year one, $800,000 each in years 2-5, and $300,000 to $800,000 each—depending on the facility’s need—in years 6-30. gwsportsandeventscenter.com
Food and Beverage
The Hampton Social, a nearly 600-seat restaurant, opened at 365 18th St, Unit 152, at Atlantic Park in Virginia Beach. Parker Hospitality Group’s 14th location of the restaurant—known for its seafood-forward menu, rosé and craft cocktail program, and social dining environment—debuted the brand’s most expansive menu evolution to date, including a USDA Prime steak program and elevated martini collection. thehamptonsocial.com/virginiabeach
The Stockpot Norfolk and Ghost Kitchen Norfolk will open at Norfolk International Airport this year, the airport announced on social media. facebook.com/NorfolkInternationalAirport
Aloha Cravings, a family-owned and -operated business serving up Hawaiian and Asian food, expanded from its food truck to a restaurant location at Eagle Harbor Shopping Center, 13478 Carrollton Blvd., Suite N, Carrollton, the Isle of Wight County Department of Economic Development announced. facebook.com/alohacraving
Smithfield Farmers Market vendor Aurora’s Bakery is expanding to a storefront location at 107 Institute St., Suite B, Smithfield, the Isle of Wight County Department of Economic Development announced. aurorasbakery.org
MANUFACTURING
Retail
Mantra Inspired Furniture, a Norfolk-based, design-forward manufacturer of commercial furniture, announced its acquisition of Created Hardwood, an Ohio-based manufacturer specializing in custom hardwood furniture. The acquisition strengthens Mantra’s manufacturing capabilities, expands its customization and production capacity, and positions the company to better serve designers, dealers, and commercial clients. mantrainspiredfurniture.com
MARITIME
Technology
SubSea Craft, a United Kingdom-based maritime technology and defense company specializing in advanced surface, subsurface, and autonomous maritime capabilities, announced plans to expand its operations to Virginia Beach. As part of its expansion, the company anticipates hiring for a range of positions spanning leadership, operations, field engineering, and technicians. subseacraft.com
NONPROFITS
Grants
Cox Communications employees awarded a total of $140,000 in grants to 14 Coastal Virginia nonprofits, through Cox Charities Community Investment Grants. The program provides $10,000 employee-funded grants to support programs benefiting local residents. coxcharitiesva.org
PEOPLE
Comings and Goings
Carly Fiorina was named CEO of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation following the retirement of Cliff Fleet. Fiorina served on the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Board of Trustees since 2017 and as board chair since 2020. The board elected Conrad M. Hall as the new chairman of the board. colonialwilliamsburg.org
Hall also was appointed president and CEO of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce. He succeeded Keith Martin, who served as interim CEO since August 2025. vachamber.com
Commonwealth, which has expanded its lodging and property management presence in Coastal Virginia, announced that Ken Strickler now leads the commercial real estate company as president and CEO following the retirement of founder and former CEO Mark Claud. commonwealthcommercial.com
Norfolk-based Lawson announced the retirement of Annette Gavrish, who had served as the company’s controller for 11 years. lawsoncompanies.com
TRANSPORTATION
Projects
The Virginia Commonwealth Transportation Board approved the Six-Year Improvement Program for the Virginia Department of Transportation and the Department of Rail and Public Transportation, which will allocate $28.5 billion to transportation projects over the next six fiscal years. The plan provides funding to more than 4,300 transportation projects to improve Virginia’s infrastructure. Projects include road, bridge, rail, transit, and bicycle and pedestrian paths. ctb.virginia.gov
VOLUNTEERING
Event
More than 75 volunteers at Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay, a senior living community in Virginia Beach, joined forces with Rise Against Hunger to pack 10,000 meals for individuals and families facing food insecurity around the world. wcbay.com
