News Summary
Virginia Beach’s restaurant industry is undergoing significant changes with closures like Citrus and Gourmet Gang, while others like Deutsche Ecke reopen after damages. The city plans to increase its meals tax from 5.5% to 6.0%, sparking concerns among business owners about potential declines in customer traffic and closures. The Virginia Beach Restaurant Association actively campaigns against the proposed hike, emphasizing its impact on the local culinary scene. Despite economic challenges, community support remains crucial to sustaining Virginia Beach’s vibrant dining culture.
Virginia Beach is witnessing significant changes in its restaurant scene as several key establishments encounter closures and reopenings amid a planned increase in the city’s meals tax. Citrus, a beloved brunch spot, closed its Shore Drive location on West Great Neck Road on September 9; however, the specific reason for the closure has not been disclosed. Customers took to social media to express their sadness and share fond memories of the cafe, which has been a staple in the community since its opening in 2006.
Citrus, founded by Lance and Cheri Shores, operated a second location that opened in 2014 near Virginia Beach Boulevard. Following Cheri Shores’ diagnosis with pancreatic cancer, the couple chose to gift the business to their employees in 2022. Sadly, Cheri passed away on May 13, 2023. Despite the closure on West Great Neck Road, Citrus continues to operate at its other location at 357 N. Great Neck Road, situated near Interstate 264.
In contrast to Citrus, another local eatery, Deutsche Ecke, has reopened after being closed for nearly seven months due to damage caused by a landscaping truck striking its storefront in February. The restaurant’s owners, Terrence and Christiane Howell, made the decision to remain at their original location on 15435 Warwick Blvd, citing financial constraints. Deutsche Ecke officially welcomed customers back on September 9 with its full menu, which includes popular dishes such as jägerschnitzel and a sausage plate.
Meanwhile, Gourmet Gang, a bistro and catering company located in Virginia Beach, announced it would close its Haygood location on September 26. However, the establishment has indicated the possibility of opening new storefronts in the future. Gourmet Gang continues to operate another restaurant at 4429 Bonney Road, near Town Center in Virginia Beach.
Amid these restaurant changes, the Virginia Beach Restaurant Association (VBRA) is actively campaigning against a proposed increase in the city’s meals tax from 5.5% to 6.0%. This increase is scheduled to take effect on July 1 and is aimed at supporting a new Major Projects Fund due to decreasing restaurant revenue growth caused by inflation. VBRA President Debbie Lou Hague has voiced concerns over the potential impact of this tax increase, suggesting it may discourage visitors from dining in Virginia Beach.
Local restaurant owners have expressed apprehension regarding the tax increase as well. Bill Dillon, the owner of Abbey Road Pub and Restaurant, along with others, warn that it may lead to diminished customer traffic and potentially result in closures for independent restaurants in the area. In response to the tax proposal, the VBRA has initiated a citywide petition advocating for a reduction of the meals tax to 3.5% and hopes for its eventual elimination.
The city expects that the meals tax increase will generate approximately $111 million in revenue for the fiscal year, signifying a 14% increase from the previous year, despite concerns about its potential negative consequences for local dining establishments.
The ongoing changes in the Virginia Beach restaurant scene highlight the challenges faced by local businesses amid a difficult economic landscape and emphasize the importance of community support for the culinary landscape in the area.
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Additional Resources
- Pilot Online: Virginia Beach Restaurant Changes
- Virginia Dogwood: Best Restaurants in Virginia Beach
- WAVY: VB Restaurant Association and Meals Tax
- WTKR: Reactions to Virginia Beach Meals Tax Increase
- News Leader: Virginia Restaurants on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives
- Wikipedia: Virginia Beach
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Virginia Beach
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
