News Summary
Virginia Beach’s Oceanfront experienced a mixed summer, with slight overall growth buoyed by a strong Labor Day weekend. While good weather and holiday traffic benefited local businesses, reduced weekday activity and changing tourist preferences have caused concern among owners. Offseason events are hoped to draw more visitors, amid rising costs and shifting vacation habits, highlighting ongoing adaptation efforts to sustain economic growth at the Oceanfront.
Virginia Beach Oceanfront Businesses Experience Mixed Summer
Virginia Beach’s Oceanfront businesses report a mixed bag of results this summer, with an overall performance predicted to be slightly better than last year, thanks to a favorable Labor Day weekend. Despite generally good weather and a lack of hurricane disruption, business owners remain cautious about the season’s outcome.
Deepak Nachnani, president of Coastal Edge, indicated that the Labor Day weekend brought exceptional traffic and optimal beach conditions, contributing positively to the area’s summer performance. He noted that while the holiday weekend traffic was promising, the overall business for the summer is expected to record a marginal increase in sales, possibly only in the single digits when compared to the previous year.
Jeff Hague, the owner of Ocean Eddy’s, provided insight into the business landscape at the Oceanfront. He reported that while total sales showed an increase compared to the prior year, the impact of rising costs has made it difficult to gauge the true state of business performance. Hague also observed that the crowds seemed less busy than in previous seasons, raising concerns among local business owners.
Local resident Christy Marciano echoed the sentiment of reduced crowds, specifically highlighting that foot traffic was consistently low, with the number of visitors only peaking during festivals. Another resident, Ray Hunt, suggested that some tourists may be choosing more affordable vacation destinations like Florida, which could be impacting local revenue. He noted a noticeable shift in vacationer preferences, where visitors now seem drawn to shorter weekend trips instead of traditional week-long stays that were more common in past years.
The slowdown during weekdays (Monday through Thursday) has also raised concerns among local business owners. They have observed that business activity significantly picks up over weekends, which contrasts sharply with the inactivity seen early in the week.
Despite the challenges faced over the summer, many business owners maintain a sense of optimism as they look to the offseason. Events such as the Neptune Festival and Fil Fest 2025 are on the horizon, with hopes of drawing more visitors and boosting sales during the typically slower months ahead. However, business owners like Hague remain cautious about the impact of rising food prices on their menus for the offseason, which may alter customer choices and overall dining experiences.
This summer’s mixed results indicate a shift in tourist behavior and economic patterns that could shape future planning for Virginia Beach’s Oceanfront businesses. With adaptations necessary to cater to changing preferences and rising costs, local enterprises are striving to find ways to maintain a steady flow of visitors, especially as the community gears up for major events designed to bolster offseason traffic.
As Virginia Beach progresses through its summer season, the concerted efforts of business owners, combined with community events, may lay the groundwork for a more robust local economy as they evaluate their strategies for the coming months.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Additional Resources
- Travel and Leisure: How to Visit Outlook Beach in Virginia
- Wikipedia: Virginia Beach
- Travel Off Path: Virginia’s Underrated Coastal City
- Google Search: Virginia Beach economy
- Patch: VA Beach Town Among Best on East Coast
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Virginia
- World Atlas: Underrated Destinations in Virginia
- Google News: Virginia Beach tourism
Author: STAFF HERE VIRGINIA BEACH WRITER
VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER The VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER represents the seasoned team at HEREVirginiaBeach.com, your trusted source for actionable local news and information in Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach City, and beyond, delivering "news you can use" with comprehensive coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news impacting the region—supported by years of expert reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates, while offering top reporting on high-profile events like the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, East Coast Surfing Championship, and military homecoming celebrations, alongside key organizations such as the Virginia Aquarium, Virginia Beach Convention Center, and Oceana Naval Air Station, plus leading businesses in tourism and defense like Busch Gardens and Northrop Grumman, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREWilliamsburg.com, providing credible, in-depth insights into Virginia's vibrant landscape. HERE Virginia Beach HERE Williamsburg
