The black and white murals in the monochrome restaurant evoke the look of a coloring book in need of crayons. Everything at 2D Cafe & Eatery is outlined in black, including the wall design, ceiling tiles, sofas, stools and floors, to create cartoon vibes.

In June, Monica Kiraly and her husband, Ali Abay, opened the Instagrammable cafe on 11th Street and Atlantic Avenue. The couple owns three other Oceanfront businesses: Basil Pizza, 204 Pizza and La Dulce Vida.

Kiraly said she loves coffee shops and thought the Oceanfront needed more. So, when her husband went to a 2D cafe in Turkey and brought the creative idea back, Kiraly was sold. Her only concern was finding someone to the paint the 2D concept.

The couple hired two J-1 art students from Thailand to paint the design. The students took three weeks to complete the painting and worked on their days off from their housekeeping jobs at an area hotel. The State Department’s J-1 exchange visitor visa program enables international students to work seasonal jobs.

“I was a J-1 student myself seven years ago,” Kiraly said. “I knew the students coming to Virginia Beach had lots of potential and skills.”

Cafe menu items include Turkish dishes, coffee, iced lattes, boba drinks, bagels, salads, wagyu burgers and dumplings. Kiraly said the best sellers are the signature iced lattes such as Dulce de Coco (dulce de leche cream and coconut cold foam), Strawberry Bliss (strawberry puree, vanilla and strawberry cold foam) and Biscoffee (Biscoff cream, vanilla and cold foam).

Cig kofte, or small and spicy bulgur wheat meatballs, is one of the most popular Turkish dishes. Turkish desserts include baklava, custards, “burnt” cheesecake and others.

The cafe is very active on Instagram and gets tagged frequently. Within the first month, a customer asked to have a photo shoot at the location.

“Most of our customers come because of the 2D concept,” Kiraly said. “We want to keep them happy with the good food, not just the cool design.”

Lee Belote, jlbelote@verizon.net

___

If you go

What: 2D Cafe & Eatery

Where: 1102 Atlantic Ave., Virginia Beach

Info: 2dcafe.com

Actually, it’s a life block. What do I mean? I officially graduated to the empty nest years. Now what? Like a writer’s block, I’m kind of frozen. How do I start this new chapter? I have no idea.

When I started writing my motherhood novel 22 years ago, I had to jump right in immediately. It didn’t matter that I had no idea what to “write.” Heck, I wasn’t even a qualified author. I felt like a hack.

I just started slapping words on the page. Nurse, change diapers, clean, eat and repeat. It’s a blur, and it whizzed by fast. Toddler years were nonstop with milestones, teaching the ABCs, potty training, terrible twos and so on.

I had three kids in five years and just kept writing new pages. My writing started to flow as my mommy confidence grew. My favorite stories were planning themed birthday parties, coaching soccer, attending school performances, making and baking crafts and snuggling on the sofa. That was the quickest chapter of my life. I blinked, and I was done. I felt like I deserved the Pulitzer Prize.

Many parents warned me that I should cherish those chapters because they’re the shortest and sweetest. Honestly, I wished some of it away longing for the next chapter. I couldn’t help brainstorm about the years when the kids could drive and be self-sufficient.

Well, those days came quicker than expected. My favorite pages were enjoying the friendships of young adults and cheering on their successes. However, I still spent many days flipping through the previous chapters to remind me of toddler times.

Over the years, I’ve been pleased with my “motherhood” book. Like many moms, I’d fix some grammar mistakes such as a curse word here or there in frustration or other mommy missteps.

Overall, I’m pretty proud of the 22-year novel. I have chronicled the lives of three amazing characters. However, this last chapter is a doozy. I’ve been dreading the “empty nest” chapter forever. It should start with the words, “drip, drip.” That’s the sound of my tears that have been flowing for the last month.

My kids are ready, so I’ve done my job. I’m happy for them, but I’m incredibly sad for me. I want to keep writing with them forever.

I’m suffering from pre-children amnesia. I’m not sure what I did before writing this book. How can a day revolve around me and not my kids? The empty house is eerie. I long for chaos.

What now? My house guests have left along with my daily purpose. This is my life (writer’s) block. What do I write? I don’t have the answer, but at least my three kids can start writing their chapters. I hope they write bestsellers. I’ll always be there as their editor. Edits will come in the form of notes, texts and mommy lectures.

Lee Belote, jlbelote@verizon.net

The Virginia Beach location at 4001 Virginia Beach Blvd. will be the ninth in Virginia, where it started in Richmond in 2011. Customers come to find home decor, antiques, jewelry, food items and other creative treasures.

Heather Reynolds, the first franchisee, said she first discovered Lazy Daisy in Williamsburg and was attracted to the layout and unique items. The regional chain also operates a store in the Tabb area of York County.

“It has an incredibly inspiring and peaceful atmosphere,” Reynolds said. “The open floor concept allows each artisan to fully express their creativity in their own unique space. It blends seamlessly with the rest of the marketplace.”

That marketplace is a lively hub of creativity, she added, and each artisan is carefully selected to reflect the style and decor that Lazy Daisy is known for.

The 11,000-square-foot Virginia Beach store will serve as a venue to more than 50 vendors, including business owner Heather Chirdon.

“This business model is a way to expand your small business without the overhead and other responsibilities of a traditional brick-and-mortar,” she said.

She added you don’t have to worry about utility bills, employees, maintenance, long leases or other owner responsibilities.

Chirdon, who owned Refine on West Great Neck Road, is familiar with the model after adapting her business to sell in the Painted Tree, a chain with a large Laskin Road location that rents space to shop vendors.

When she first opened Refine in August 2019, Chirdon had focused on the aesthetic side and services such as body toning, cryofacials and body slimming. She ran a boutique as a supplement there because she thought the Shore Drive corridor could use more retail options.

“COVID forced us to pivot into more of the boutique side, and it really had a major impact on our revenue,” she said. “We had a lot of momentum despite the pandemic, and local customers loved the ability to shop local during the holidays.”

The expansion of the boutique led her to Painted Tree in 2022, and she has since expanded into six other Painted Tree locations. While adapting to changing retail trends, she closed her own brick-and-mortar boutique in August. She will continue her Refine presence in Painted Tree and focus on online sales.

Chirdon said she’s excited to sell with Lazy Daisy to expand her business to the Town Center area. And by having store staff take care of day-to-day sales, Chirdon said she has more time to focus on other avenues.

Michelle Leshok, owner and founder of Lazy Daisy, said each vendor is special and unique.

“They have so many stories to tell themselves about how the store has changed their lives,” Leshok said.

For more information, visit lazydaisygiftstore.com. Interested vendors can email vendorinfo@lazydaisyvabeach.com.

Lee Belote, jlbelote@verizon.net

Sea Love Candle Bar and Boutique recently opened a do-it-yourself candle experience in La Promenade shopping center. The Maine-based franchise, founded by a husband and wife team, has 13 locations, including its first in Virginia.

Virginia Beach franchisees Theresa Johnson and Jennifer Carlson grew up in the city and are sisters and military veterans. They describe the candle bar as a “coastal oasis” and said the store’s mission is to evoke memories and emotions with fragrance.

A scent stylist leads guests to the 16-seat shiplap bar where they’re guided through the process of scent blending and pouring wax. Customers can choose from from over 100 fragrances such as blue agave, pink sugar, mango, suntan lotion, crackling firewood, champagne, leather and more. Typically, one to three scents are blended together.

Candles take two hours to cool before they’re ready to take home or customers can pay $12 to ship them home. Candle prices start at about $40 and come in a small, large or double wick size. Reed diffusers are available too. Complimentary beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages are served during the candle bar experience.

The environmentally friendly candles are made from an all-natural soy wax and phthalate-free oils. They’re vegan and free of dye and paraffin wax. Candles come with a dust cover crafted from seeded paper that can be planted to grow wildflowers.

A Virginia Beach Boardwalk candle will be offered at the La Promenade location. The local scent will feature the fragrances of sea salt, strawberry and sandalwood. Sixteen signature scents are for sale in the shop.

The boutique carries an array of beach-inspired treasures and gifts. Coastal living accessories include tote bags, wide brim hats, jewelry, linens and Virginia Beach pillows.

Customers can also shop for pet items, apparel, beard oil, room sprays and children’s items. An apothecary section allows guests to bag their own bath salts and soaps.

“We’ve created a space where people can escape the daily hustle and immerse themselves in the soothing spirit of a seaside lifestyle,” Johnson said. “You can embark on a sensory journey or find a piece of coastal paradise to take home.”

Lee Belote, jlbelote@verizon.net

___

If you go

What: Sea Love Candle Bar and Boutique

Where: 1860 Laskin Road, No. 103, Virginia Beach

Visit: Sealove.com/pages/virginiabeach

They would stop by after dropping his brother off at the nearby Galilee preschool and order their favorites — quiche or “to die for” cruffins. Often, they left with lunch items, and their seasonal favorite was the strawberry croissant.

The bakery, located inside a charming beach cottage, is known for its artisan selection of pastry, pies, quiches and sandwiches. The bake shop posted on social media that Sept. 21 would be its last day. An outpouring of customers posted memories and appreciation for the bakery. The Norfolk location in Ghent will remain open.

Todd, like many of May’s Parlor’s customers, is sad to see the bakery close.

“We will miss the tradition and the lovely dichotomy of the local-tourist community that May’s offered,” Todd said. “Not to mention the yummy food and spirit of community!”

Racheal Browning opened May’s Parlor in 2017. She received her pastry arts degree from the Culinary Institute of America in New York and worked for several NYC bakeries, The Greenbrier and The Regency Hotel before finding the tiny 1940s house at the Oceanfront that she turned into May’s Parlor.

“I always wanted to bring my love of baking home,” the Chesapeake native said.

Browning worked out of two ovens and a 400-square-foot kitchen for her first three years.

“Word got out during COVID times that we were still cranking out artisan baked goods, and it became a pandemic staple,” Browning said. “I felt it was time to expand to a 3,000-square-foot commercial bake shop.”

Shortly after, she added a Norfolk location at 340 W. 22nd St. too.

Browning said the everchanging cruffin, made with laminated croissant dough, was their most viral baked good. She said other fan favorites were the lemon dill chicken salad, breakfast sandwiches on house-made butter brioche buns and the croissant filled with fresh cream and sliced strawberries.

People speculate most businesses close because they’re failing financially, Browning said, but “sometimes, that couldn’t be further from the truth.”

“People forget local small businesses are operated by people just like them,” she said. “People have young children, elderly parents and their own hardships and dreams.”

Browning said she was young, spry and 25 when she opened May’s Parlor. She could easily work 18-hour days in the hot kitchen. Now, she has a toddler and is pregnant with her second child. She has decided to focus on her family.

“I’m always balancing what’s most important to to me,” Browning said. “I’m happy with how our story is ending, and it was an incredible eight years.”

May’s Parlor will honor all their wedding and catering orders throughout the remainder of 2024-2025 through their commercial bake shop. Browning hopes to offer some baking classes and join some farmers markets with a smaller volume of goods.

“I’d love to still share a bit of May’s with the community for as long as I can,” she said.

Lee Belote, jlbelote@verizon.net

“It was the first time I had ever been rewarded or made money for something I created,” Miller said. “It was probably the first time I really started to consider the fact that artists get to make art for a living. I thought maybe it could be a career path for me.”

Now, Miller, an art teacher at First Colonial High School, will be showcasing her art skills again at the iconic Neptune Festival in Virginia Beach.

“It’s a full circle moment for me,” she said.

Miller just painted a large-scale mural at 405 30th St. She was chosen by the Neptune Festival organization to paint her interpretation of “Celebrating the Beach Life” for the festival’s 50th anniversary. Her mural design will also be used for the Neptune Festival poster.

She said the design is a mashup of a few different things that come to mind when thinking about the Neptune Festival. She represented the International Sandsculpting Championship with a large sand castle and featured clinking wine glasses for the event’s wine festival.

The art and craft show is shown through the painting hands and collage/craft-inspired cloud placement, and music notes throughout the skyline give a nod to live music from the Boardwalk Weekend and Symphony by the Sea Concert Series.

Miller added that she wanted to take the design beyond just the “beach” theme. Her composition includes hands that represent the people that bring the festival together such as the volunteers, artists, attendees and musicians.

“I am so thrilled to have been selected for this opportunity,” Miller said. “ I hadn’t imagined ever getting to create the poster for the festival, let alone a mural.”

Miller is a mixed media artist who mostly works in acrylic, watercolor and graphite. She had a full-time career in graphic design before becoming an art teacher and has painted six murals in Virginia Beach.

The 50th annual Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend will be held Sept. 27-29, on Second to 33rd streets on the Boardwalk. Posters of Devon Miller’s Neptune Festival design can be purchased on the Boardwalk or online at neptunefestival.com.

The family-friendly weekend will include the arts and crafts show, International Sandsculpting Championship, a parade, fitness classes, Atlantic Regatta, dock dogs, a family fun zone and free concerts.

Lee Belote jlbelote@verizon.net

The area will occupy the space that was previously Fossil.

The 757 Creative ReUse Center first opened in 2019 on Granby Street before relocating to the Norfolk mall in 2023.

“We are thrilled to be growing our creative community in downtown Norfolk,” executive director Beth Dryer said.

The 757 Creative ReUse Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing waste and increasing creativity.

It operates under a donations-based arts and crafts supply thrift store. Individuals or businesses donate their unwanted craft supplies such as fabric, stickers, paints, stationery, beads, crayons and other art treasures. Most items in the store range from 50 cents to $5.

Large items such as spinning wheels, looms, sewing machines and die-cutting machines are priced competitively.

The center used to have a small classroom that offered space for 20 people. The new art room can accommodate 40 people for a class or up to 75 for a social event.

There will also be a part-time education coordinator.

“Our education coordinator will take our programming to the next level,” Dryer said. “We’ll be building a kid’s curriculum focusing on STEAM topics and adhering to current Virginia SOL standards.”

The room will also host birthday parties, field trips, adult crafting parties and movie nights.

When the art room isn’t being used for classes, open studio time is available for $5 a day. Studio time includes the use of specialty tools such as sewing machines, die-cutting and embossing machines, laminators, a screen printing press and embroidery machines. Other supplies available include stamps, inks, paints, tools, beads, papers, adhesives and markers. Classes range from $15-$25 and memberships are offered for free open studio time.

A grand opening will be held on Sept. 7 from noon to 4 p.m. Activities will include adult and kids crafts and demos with the Lego Letterpress, sewing machines and rock painting.

Lee Belote jlbelote@verizon.net

At age 9, McLaughlin learned the art of candle making. Her mom owned a candle shop and would craft beach-themed candles with her in their Virginia Beach kitchen.

“My first creative outlet was making candles,” McLaughlin said. “I come from a family of creators. We have four generations of artisans including my daughter.”

In 2020, McLaughlin poured eight candles in her mom’s kitchen and then signed up for the Shore Drive Farmers market. She sold out and has been making candles ever since.

She has grown her business with local markets, pop-ups and online sales. In 2022, McLaughlin was one of the first vendors to sign up for a space inside Painted Tree Boutiques. Currently, Beach Bee Candle Company can be found in 30 locations across the United States.

“I’ve always wanted to work for myself,” McLaughlin said. “I believe some people are meant to be creative and thrive that way.”

Beach Bee candles are made from triple-filtered beeswax and coconut wax sourced from the United States. Both waxes are sustainable, and the beeswax is from local bee farmers.

“Burning beeswax helps to purify the air,” McLaughlin said.

The phthalate free candles use essential oil blends for the aromas. Some of the best selling scents are Beach Bum, Seaside Citrus, Sunny Day and Orange Crush. Fall favorites are Cozy Night, Granny’s Jam, Cardamom Latte and Dark Wood.

A couple years ago, Beach Bee Candle expanded its line to include bath and body items.

“I started making my own products to use at home and realized how much I loved them,” McLaughlin said. “I wanted to share them with others.”

The line includes perfume oils, hair oils, face serums, aloe after-sun body mists and massage oils. The perfume oils feature proprietary blends of jojoba, grape seed and other essential oils. Hair oils come in various scents and are packed with nutrients such as argan, vitamin E and niacinamide.

Beach Bee offers a local jar buyback program. Customers can get $2 off their next candle or cash back if they return the jar to one of the local markets. Additionally, the company offers a candle subscription that offers discounts for reordering monthly. Order online at beachbeeshop.com or find Beach Bee in several Hampton Roads locations.

I’m always trying out new sweet concoctions. I’m a bit of a free-spirited bakeologist. I never follow a recipe without tweaking something. If a recipe calls for one cup of chocolate chips, I’ll add an extra handful. I’ll substitute milk for water and add a splash of almond extract or a slight sprinkle of cinnamon. When I make cookies, I’ll throw in anything that’s open in the pantry like marshmallows, candy bars and a bag of chips. Yes, I said salty chips. Try it.

I’m a creative cook who likes to have fun in the kitchen.

So, my sweet addiction has led to another guilty pleasure. I spend many evenings scrolling through social media for recipe ideas. This obsessive recipe search led me to a Facebook post from a new cookie company called Cookie Plug, which for now is operating in Virginia Beach via a food truck.

The West Coast-based cookie franchise started in 2019 and serves extra-thick cookies, called “phatties.” They come in 16 unique flavors with catchy names. Pixie (sugar cookie coated in sprinkles), Bam Bam (fruity cereal), Pink Elephant (strawberry cheesecake) and Purple Haze (purple velvet) were a few of the more colorful cookies.

When I recently brought the big box home filled with a delectable collection of cookies, it caused quite a cookie commotion. The cookie box, decorated with fun graphics, complemented the tasty goodies.

My daughter and her girlfriends loved the cool cookie box decor and its contents. I sampled each and every flavor because I consider myself a cookie connoisseur. My cookie taste buds have logged many hours.

My two faves were the s’mores flavor (Firecracker) and chocolate chip walnut (Nutty OG). The fruity cereal (Bam Bam) was really good, too, and tasted like a bowl of Fruity Pebbles.

In addition to the 12 daily flavors, Cookie Plug offers four keto flavors and one secret stash cookie. Also, you’ll find Plug Poppers, which are mini versions of the daily flavors and “Doggy Style” cookies for your pups.

Mike Walters, local franchise owner, said he was sold on the cookie brand after his first bite.

“The cookies are the best of both worlds,” Walters said. “They are firm with a gooey center.”

Currently, you can follow Cookie Plug on Instagram and Facebook to find its food truck schedule. It plan to open its first storefront by the end of summer.

You’d be one smart cookie to go search for their next cookie stop.

Lee Belote, jlbelote@verizon.net

Posh Wholesale Surf Shop recently opened on 17 1/2 Street behind Get Lost Shave Ice.

Customers can enter the quaint, 600-square-foot surf boutique through the oversized garage door. The bright pink and blue walls are decorated with oversized pool floats, surfboards and three large TV screens playing surfing videos.

Owner Tim Paasch said his store carries different products than the other area surf shops.

“We try and source local inventory and try to stick with USA made products,” he said. “We have sourced products on a wholesale basis, so we can save locals money on their purchases.”

The shop carries surfboards, skimboards, body boards and paddle boards. Other surf shop products include beach cruisers, skateboards, coolers, trendy clothing, floppy sun hats, beach apparel, snorkel gear and children’s beach items.

Local artist Ally Washington said she was happy to have her handmade beaded jewelry included in the new surf shop.

Her brand, Hangin’ Around, features a collection of bracelets, necklaces and earrings.

“I love that Posh Surf Shop is supporting local artists like me,” Washington said. “It’s a win-win relationship because the shop gives me exposure, and I’m bringing my large customer base to the store.”

Paasch, born and raised in Virginia Beach, grew up riding his bike to the beach. He said he shopped at all the local surf shops and always wanted to open one himself. His passion wasn’t just for the sport of surfing, but for the lifestyle it represented.

The local entrepreneur also opened Moke America Virginia Beach, which rents and sells street-legal golf carts, on 17th Street. Additionally, he operates the rental company RentBeachBuggies.com.

Paasch said Posh Surf isn’t just about selling products. It’s about sharing a lifestyle. “The surf shop is for locals to buy at local prices.”