The hardwood flooring retailer formerly known as Lumber Liquidators signed an agreement with private equity firm F9 Investments for a sale of its business on Friday afternoon. Under terms of the deal, expected to close by the end of September, F9 will acquire 219 stores and a Virginia distribution center — as well as LL Flooring’s intellectual property and other assets.

Another 211 LL Flooring stores are still set to close, however. That includes 117 locations where closings were recently initiated and 94 others that were already in the process when the Virginia company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Aug. 11.

Just weeks after filing for Chapter 11, LL Flooring previously said that it would be “winding down operations” and closing all of its stores after failing to find a buyer in negotiations. The retailer expected the process to take about 12 weeks.

But that changed after a deal was reached with F9 on Friday. In a statement, LL Flooring president and CEO Charles Tyson said that company was “pleased to have reached this agreement” with F9 “following significant efforts by our team and advisors to preserve the business.”

Tyson added that LL Flooring remains “committed to continuing to serve” customers and vendors as the transaction moves through bankruptcy court for approval.

F9, based in Miami, is owned by Tom Sullivan, who founded Lumber Liquidators over 30 years ago. Sullivan told The Associated Press that the 219 stores set to be purchased by F9 will open under the Lumber Liquidators name again.

“We’ll be getting back to basics,” Sullivan said. “Basically, yellow and black is coming back … We know what worked before. It’s not fancy offices in Richmond with 200 people that didn’t know the flooring business. It’s great people in our stores that know flooring (and) customers that want a great deal and know Lumber Liquidators is the place to go.”

Sullivan explained that the company plans to narrow down to a more “manageable” selection of flooring options, and getting rid of material that feels duplicative or doesn’t sell well, so customers will likely see big discounts on much of the inventory left behind from LL Flooring’s bankruptcy process. He added that the company will be closely aligned with Cabinets To Go, another F-9 owned brand that he founded, to help with shipping efficiency.

Lumber Liquidators got its start in 1993, as a modest operation in Massachusetts, and later expanded operations nationwide. The brick-and-mortar retailer officially changed its name to LL Flooring at the start of 2022.

The company previously faced turmoil after a 2015 segment of “60 Minutes” reported that laminate flooring it was selling had illegal and dangerous levels of formaldehyde. Lumber Liquidators later said it would stop selling the product and agreed to pay $36 million to settle two class-action lawsuits in 2017.

LL Flooring has had difficulty turning a profit in recent years. Net sales fell 18.5% in 2023, according to a recent earnings report, amid declines in foot traffic and weak demand with mortgage rates and housing prices high. In its Chapter 11 filing, LL Flooring disclosed that total debts amounted to more than $416 million as of July 31, compared with assets of just over $501 million.

Ahead of filing for bankruptcy, LL Flooring also entered a proxy battle over the summer — centered on attempts to keep Sullivan, who had tried to acquire the business before, off the board. In June, company leadership wrote a letter urging shareholders to vote for other nominees, accusing Sullivan of “pushing a personal agenda.” But LL Flooring later confirmed that the founder and F9’s other nominees were elected at its annual shareholder meeting in July.

Ehmer joined Waffle House in 1992 and quickly rose to senior leadership, becoming president of the company in 2002, and later adding the titles of CEO and chairman, according to information from Georgia Tech, his alma mater.

“His leadership, dedication and warmth touched the lives of many, both within the Waffle House family and beyond. He leaves behind a remarkable legacy,” Mayor Andre Dickens said in a news release.

The board of directors for Waffle House issued a statement Sunday afternoon saying Ehmer died after a long illness. “He will be greatly missed by his entire Waffle House family,” the statement said.

Ehmer was chair of the Georgia Tech Alumni Association Board of Trustees from 2012 to 2013 and served numerous organizations, including the Georgia Tech Foundation Board and the Georgia Tech Advisory Board.

The Waffle House chain of around-the-clock diners opened in 1955 and now boasts more than 1,900 locations in 25 states.

Ehmer is survived by three children, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

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This story was first published on Sept. 8, 2024. It was updated on Sept. 9, 2024, to correct the name of Waffle House CEO Walt Ehmer’s alma mater. It is Georgia Tech, not Georgia Tech University.

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

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If you go

What: 2D Cafe & Eatery

Where: 1102 Atlantic Ave., Virginia Beach

Info: 2dcafe.com

CUPERTINO, Calif. (AP) — Apple on Monday charged into the artificial intelligence craze with a new iPhone lineup that marks the company’s latest attempt to latch onto a technology trend and transform it into a cultural phenomenon.

The four different iPhone 16 models will all come equipped with special chips needed to power a suite if AI tools that Apple hopes will make its marquee product even more indispensable and reverse a recent sales slump.

Apple’s AI features are designed to turn its often-blundering virtual assistant Siri into a smarter and more versatile sidekick, automate a wide range of tedious tasks and pull off other crowd-pleasing tricks such as creating customized emojis within seconds.

After receiving a standing ovation for Monday’s event, Apple CEO Tim Cook promised the AI package will unleash “innovations that will make a true difference in people’s lives.”

But the breakthroughs won’t begin as soon as the new iPhones — ranging in price from $800 to $1,200 — hit the stores on September 20.

Most of Apple’s AI functions will roll out as part of a free software updates to iOS 18, the operating system that will power the iPhone 16 rolling out from October through December. U.S. English will be the featured language at launch but an update enabling other languages will come out next year, according to Apple.

It’s all part of a new approach that Apple previewed at a developers conference three months ago to create more anticipation for a next generation of iPhones amid a rare sales slump for the well-known devices.

Since Apple’s June conference, competitors such as Samsung and Google have made greater strides in AI – a technology widely expected to trigger the most dramatic changes in computing since the first iPhone came out 17 years ago.

Just as Apple elevated fledgling smartphones it into a must-have technology in 21st-century society, the Cupertino, California, company is betting it can do something similar with its tardy arrival to artificial intelligence.

In an attempt to set itself apart from the early leaders in AI, the technology being baked into the iPhone 16 is being promoted as “Apple Intelligence.” Despite the unique branding, Apple’s new approach mimics many of the features already available in the Samsung Galaxy S24 released in January and the Google Pixel 9 that came out last month.

“Apple could have waited another year for further development, but initial take up of AI- powered devices from the likes of Samsung has been encouraging, and Apple is keen to capitalize on this market,” said PP Foresight analyst Paolo Pescatore.

As it treads into new territory, Apple is trying to preserve its long-time commitment to privacy by tailoring its AI so that most of its technological tricks can processed on the device itself instead of relying on giant banks of computers located in remote data centers. When a task needs to connect to a data center, Apple promises it will be done in a tightly-controlled way that ensures that no personal data is stored remotely.

While corralling the personal information shared through Apple’s AI tools inherently reduces the chances that the data will be exploited or misused against a user’s wishes, it doesn’t guarantee iron-clad security. A device could still be stolen, for instance, or hacked through digital chicanery.

For users seeking to access even more AI tools than being offered by the iPhone, Apple is teaming up with OpenAI to give users the option of farming out more complicated tasks to the popular ChatGPT chatbot.

Although Apple is releasing a free version of its operating system to propel its on-device AI features, the chip needed to run the technology is only available on the iPhone 16 lineup and the high-end iPhone 15 models that came out a year ago.

That means most consumers who are interested in taking advantage of Apple’s approach to AI will have to buy one of the iPhone 16 models – a twist that investors are counting on will fuel a surge in demand heading into the holiday season.

The anticipated sales boom is the main reason Apple’s stock price has climbed by more than 10%, including a slight uptick Monday after the shares initially slipped following the showcase for the latest iPhones.

Besides its latest iPhones, Apple also introduced a new version of its smartwatch that will include a feature to help detect sleep apnea as well the next generation of its wireless headphones, the AirPods Pro, that will be able to function as a hearing aid with an upcoming software update.

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

All of the staff at Stripers Waterside in Norfolk were abruptly told Sept. 1 by management that they were being let go, she said. This came as a complete shock to Halvorson and her co-workers, who she said are just like family.

Employees were led outside — so as not to disrupt in-house diners — and told the restaurant was closing its doors immediately, shutting down and they were all laid off, Halvorson said.

Known for its fresh-caught seafood, draft beer and water views, Stripers had been operating in a roughly 8,000-square-foot space at Waterside since late 2017. Its initial location in Manteo, North Carolina, is still operating.

WAVY-TV first reported the layoff and shutdown on Wednesday. Around 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Stripers responded to media inquiries in a news release and confirmed the restaurant is closed temporarily and the goal is to reopen as soon as possible.

“While we are unable to provide specific details due to an ongoing investigation by authorities, we want to acknowledge that management issues and possible malfeasance played a role in this decision,” the business said in the release. “The closure of Stripers Waterside was not a decision taken lightly. Unfortunately, damage that occurred necessitated the immediate closure of the restaurant. We are currently undergoing remodeling and renovations to address some of these issues and improve our facilities for our loyal patrons.”

The employees are welcome to return when the restaurant reopens, said Kimberly Wimbish, who represents Stripers through her public relations firms, KMK Productions. Stripers employed 32 workers.

As of Thursday, online reservations through OpenTable were available on the Stripers website again in November.

News of a sudden layoff came as a big surprise to server Pamela Ortiz, who said she was still processing it all.

“It’s been a rough year economically for everybody already and having to take this loss is just horrible,” she said.

Ortiz, of Norfolk, said she heard she was without a job via a group text as she was in the hospital being prepped for kidney surgery. She started as a server in February and management moved her to a host position as she dealt with her health problems.

“I’m very grateful,” she said. “They took good care of me.”

Halvorson, a server, started at Stripers Waterside at the end of March. The Las Vegas native, who was not new to the service industry, was promoted to lead server after two months on the job.

“I really enjoyed being there,” she said.

Halvorson said she saw the owner pull the assistant manager into a boardroom for what seemed like a 20-30 minute meeting.

“He came out and the vibe was definitely different, almost somber,” she said.

Halvorson and Ortiz said they weren’t told the restaurant was remodeling when they were let go.

“Why would you want to get rid of a whole entire staff if you’re just remodeling?” Halvorson said. “I don’t want this to happen to anybody else if Stripers does reopen, and I don’t think there are enough laws to protect service industry workers who have the rug pulled out from underneath them.”

Stripers said in the news release that it understands “concerns raised by our employees regarding the lack of communication and uncertainty surrounding their employment status. We want to assure them and the community that we are working diligently to address these issues and ensure fair treatment for all employees.”

Customers expressed disappointment about the restaurant’s closure on Facebook.

Editor Tara Bozick contributed to this story.

Sandra J. Pennecke, 757-652-5836, sandra.pennecke@pilotonline.com

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

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If you go

What: Sea Love Candle Bar and Boutique

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

Visit: Sealove.com/pages/virginiabeach

In a statement Thursday, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said its investigation into Live Nation Entertainment’s unit Ticketmaster will look specifically at “dynamic pricing,” whereby prices can vary rapidly in light of changing market conditions.

It is a pricing strategy used in flight sales and home food deliveries, where demand levels can fluctuate and lead to surging prices while also sometimes leading to lower prices. It is a more common practice in the U.S. than in the U.K.

Many Oasis fans who queued online at the Ticketmaster site for hours Saturday complained that they ended up paying more than double the face value of the ticket as a result of dynamic pricing, with standard standing tickets often sold for 355 pounds ($470) as compared to the expected 148 ($195).

Critics said it was deceptive and inappropriate to use dynamic pricing for the concerts given that it was well-known in advance that demand for the fixed number of tickets would be sky-high.

The CMA said it would scrutinize whether Ticketmaster, the U.K.’s biggest seller of tickets, may have engaged in unfair commercial practices and whether it breached consumer protection law. The probe will look at whether consumers were told in a clear and timely way that the tickets could be subject to dynamic pricing, and whether they were put under pressure to buy tickets within a short period of time – at a higher price than they understood they would have to pay.

“It’s important that fans are treated fairly when they buy tickets, which is why we’ve launched this investigation,” said Sarah Cardell, the watchdog’s chief executive. “It’s clear that many people felt they had a bad experience and were surprised by the price of their tickets at check-out.”

The organization wants to hear from fans who encountered issues, and will seek evidence from Ticketmaster and others, which may include the band’s management and event organizers. It said it can implement enforcement if it sees evidence of possible breaches of the law.

The controversy also has prompted some lawmakers in Ireland, where the band are due to perform, to launch a bid to ban dynamic pricing in the sale of tickets.

Ticketmaster has said that it does not set concert prices and its website states this is down to the event organizer who “has priced these tickets according to their market value.”

Oasis is led by brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher, who said in a statement Wednesday that they didn’t know that “dynamic pricing” would be used and acknowledged that the execution of the ticketing plan “failed to meet expectations.”

“It needs to be made clear that Oasis leave decisions on ticketing and pricing entirely to their promoters and management, and at no time had any awareness that dynamic pricing was going to be used,” the band said.

The tickets that went on sale Saturday were for the band’s concerts July 4 and 5 at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, Heaton Park in Manchester, on July 11, 12, 16, 19 and 20, London’s Wembley Stadium on July 25, 26 and 30 and Aug. 2 and 3, Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh on Aug. 8, 9 and 12; and Croke Park in Dublin on Aug. 16 and 17.

On Wednesday, another two dates were announced at Wembley on Sept. 27 and 28, which will first be open only to people who were unable to get tickets in the initial Ticketmaster sale. The relief for them is that dynamic pricing will not be used on this occasion.

Formed in Manchester in 1991, Oasis was one of the dominant British acts of the 1990s, producing hits including “Wonderwall,” “Champagne Supernova” and “Don’t Look Back in Anger.” Its sound was fueled by singalong rock choruses and the combustible chemistry between guitarist-songwriter Noel Gallagher and his frontman brother Liam.

Oasis split in 2009, with Noel Gallagher quitting the band after a backstage dustup with his brother at a festival near Paris. While the Gallagher brothers, now aged 57 and 51, haven’t performed together since, both regularly perform Oasis songs at their solo gigs. They’ve also fired off criticisms of each other in the press.

October

• Redwood Smoke Shack will open in the former Bennett’s Creek Farm Market location in Suffolk.

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September

• The Velvet Shoestring, a fine furniture consignment shop located at 311 Second St. in Williamsburg, expanded with the official opening of a second location Sept. 4, according to their Facebook page. The second location, The Velvet Shoestring Too, is located at 7191 Merrimac Trail.
• Norfolk-based LGBT Life Center held a grand opening for its new Hampton facility on Sept. 5. It’s located at 20 Settlers Landing Road.
• A new welding lab and classroom will open Sept. 6 in the Virginia Beach Technical and Career Education Center at 2925 North Landing Road, according to a press release.
• The 757 Creative ReUse Center in MacArthur Center mall in Norfolk is expanding an additional 1,200 square feet for a new art room. A grand opening will be held Sept. 7.
• The Chrysler Museum of Art’s Perry Glass Studio in Norfolk will open to classes after a renovation and expansion Sept. 12. An official grand opening is slated for March.
• Lazy Daisy, a home goods retailer, is opening its first franchise location in Virginia Beach this month. It will be located at 4001 Virginia Beach Blvd. near Town Center.
• Coastal Thirst Beach Deli plans to open this month at 524 Water St. in Yorktown. The space was formerly occupied by Larry’s Lemonade.
• May’s Parlor will close its bakery at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront on Sept. 21.
• Sea Love Candle Bar and Boutique will hold a grand opening Sept. 23. The DIY candle bar is located at 1860 Laskin Road, No. 103, in Virginia Beach.
• Old Point National Bank will close its downtown Norfolk branch on Sept. 27. It’s located at 580 E. Main St.
• A new Dollar Tree is slated to open Sept. 26 in the Kingsgate Green shopping complex off Waller Mill Road in upper York County.

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August

• Casa Furniture, which specializes in living room sets and mattresses, held a grand opening on Aug. 1. It’s located at the Williamsburg Premium Outlets.
• Honey and Hooch opened Aug. 1 at 500 S. Battlefield Blvd. in Chesapeake.
• On Aug. 1, The Hungry Pug food truck announced on social media that it is ceasing operations.
• French Twist Boutique announced on Aug. 1 that its Merchants Square location in Williamsburg is closing.
• Gardner-Willz Cafe, which held a soft opening at 5811 West Norfolk Road in Portsmouth on July 11, is closed. Business challenges and a “30-year-old A/C system which needs replacement” were stated in a Facebook post on Aug. 1 as reasons for the closure.
• Old Beach Farmers Market relocated to 18th Street in Virginia Beach on Aug. 3.
• A new retail center, Market 5, with businesses operating out of shipping containers, opened in Charles City County. The market is located along Route 5 adjacent to the Virginia Capital Trail.
• Big Lots is closing two stores at 5900 E. Virginia Beach Blvd. in Norfolk and 1650 General Booth Blvd. in Virginia Beach. Closing dates have not been announced.
• The Lab Bistro off Holland Road in Virginia Beach permanently closed, according to an Aug. 6 Facebook post.
• Darla’s Downtown Boutique opened Aug. 10 at 126 N. Main St.in Suffolk.
• Leila International Cuisine held a grand opening Aug. 10. It’s located at 4136 Granby St. in Norfolk.
• Be Free Craft Ice Cream Café opened in the Redmill area of Virginia Beach at 2336 Elson Green Ave.
• Cava opened a new restaurant Aug. 16 at 2808 Sabre St. in Virginia Beach.
• Plaza Azteca closed its downtown Norfolk location, at 411 Granby St., on Aug. 16.
• Sweet & Spice Gelato recently opened at 1115 Independence Blvd. in Virginia Beach.
• The Bagel Baker Delicatessen opened at 4000 Virginia Beach Blvd. in Virginia Beach.
• Greenbrier Lighting has closed its Chesapeake location after 31 years.
• Amedeo’s Ristorante and Amedeo’s Bakery in Suffolk closed Aug. 25.
• The Red Lobster at 709 Independence Blvd. in Virginia Beach closed.
• Dignity for the Aged, a nonprofit that aims to improve long-term care facilities and advocate for the residents who live in them, opened an office in Newport News in late August.
• Ladles Soups OBX in Kill Devil Hills served its final customers Aug. 28, the restaurant said in a Facebook post.
• The Annex, a new music venue at 2500 Church St. in Norfolk, opened Aug. 29.
• Tous les Jours, a French-Asian bakery café, opened Aug. 29 at 12515 Jefferson Ave. in Newport News.
• Edgewood Outfitters, a family-owned women’s fashion outfitter, opened Aug. 30 at Greenbrier Mall in Chesapeake.
• Norfolk Smokehouse & Seafood Company held a grand opening Aug. 31. It’s located at 1903 Shoop Ave. in Norfolk.
• Emblem Olive Oil Market, at 416 Green Tree Road in Chesapeake, held a grand opening Aug. 31.

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July

• Zion’s Kreations & Kuisine, a new boutique and snack bar specializing in plant-based treats, Caribbean-inspired vegan cuisine, herbal teas and more opened on July 1. It’s located in the Williamsburg Premium Outlets near the Vans Outlet and Columbia Factory Store.
• Corkscrews & Brews, which serves a variety of coffees, smoothies and wine, held a grand opening at 208 23rd St. in Newport News.
• Virginia’s first Del Taco, a Southern California-based Mexican fast food chain, held a grand opening in Chesapeake on July 3. It’s located near Sam’s Club in Greenbrier at 1507 Sam’s Circle.
• North Carolina Furniture & Mattress  opened a new location at Williamsburg Pottery at 6692 Richmond Road in Williamsburg. A soft opening was held July 4 and a grand opening is planned in the fall.
• Norfolk Candle opened a brick- and-mortar location inside Selden Market in downtown Norfolk.
• The Seafare, one of Williamsburg’s best-known restaurants, is closed for the summer. The owner plans to reopen in the fall after a remodel.
• Perfect Touch Brows opened at Williamsburg Premium Outlets July 9.
• Edmarc, a Portsmouth-based nonprofit that provides services to terminally ill children and their families, held a ribbon cutting July 9 for a new facility on Monticello Avenue in Williamsburg.
• MacArthur Pharmacy in downtown Norfolk closed in mid-July. The building owner plans to open a general store and mini-grocery store in its place.
• En Pointe Dance Academy held a grand reopening for its expanded studio on July 15. The new studio is located at 6610 Mooretown Road, Unit K, in Williamsburg.
• The Mason Jar opened in mid-July at 141 Hillcrest Parkway, Suite 100, in Chesapeake. The restaurant specializes in breakfast, brunch and Southern comfort food, according to its Facebook page.
• Perfume Hut opened near Ben & Jerry’s at the Williamsburg Premium Outlets.
• Tommy’s Restaurant, in the 3400 block of West Mercury Blvd. in Hampton, closed indefinitely after a vehicle crashed into the building on July 18.
• The Keurig Green Mountain facility in Isle of Wight County will close by the end of the year, the company announced July 24. There’s no specific date for the closure.
• Conn’s HomePlus is closing three stores in Hampton Roads: 1082 W. Mercury Blvd. in Hampton; 2550 Airline Blvd. in Portsmouth; and 3421 Virginia Beach Blvd. in Virginia Beach. The retailer filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on July 23. Closings dates for the local stores haven’t been announced, but going-out-of-business sales are happening at the locations.
• Posh Wholesale Surf Shop recently opened at 17 1/2 Street in the ViBe Creative District in Virginia Beach.
• Journeys held a grand opening at Norfolk Premium Outlets on July 27, according to a press release.

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June

• Korean fried chicken restaurant Chick N Roll opened June 5 in Hampton, near AMC Hampton Town Centre 24, according to a Facebook post.
• iCollectables Popculture Emporium, a collectible shop that specializes in Funko Pop toys, opened at the beginning of the month in the Williamsburg Premium Outlets.
• School Crossing, a toy and educational specialty store in Monticello Marketplace in James City County, held a grand reopening celebration June 8-13.
• Rite Aid’s location at 1624 Laskin Road in Virginia Beach closed June 13. Its pharmacy closed May 9. Three other locations closed on June 19: 1101 E. Little Creek Road in Norfolk; 324 Virginia Beach Blvd. and 1660 Independence Blvd., both in Virginia Beach.
• Bubba-N-Frank’s Smokehouse BBQ closed its Virginia Beach location on June 13, according to a Facebook post.
• Movie theater EVO Entertainment at Peninsula Town Center in Hampton abruptly closed its doors June 17.
• Centria Autism opened a Life Skills Autism Academy center in Portsmouth on June 17. The center is located at 3225 High St. and is the first in Virginia, according to a press release.
• LoKee Restaurant & Bar held a grand opening at 130 West Washington St. in Suffolk on June 18.
• Peninsula Health Center relocated to its new home at the former Stratford University building, located at 836-A J. Clyde Morris Blvd. in Newport News, according to a press release.
• The Williamsburg Drug Co. at 240 McLaws Circle closed June 21. It consolidated its operation to the store at 1310 Jamestown Road in Williamsburg.
• Gosport Tavern gastropub in Olde Towne Portsmouth closed June 22.
• White’s Old Mill Garden Center and Nursery in the Deep Creek area of Chesapeake closed after 68 years.
• CityVet expanded its veterinary network to Virginia Beach June 24 with a clinic in the Lynnhaven neighborhood at Lynnhaven Parkway and Princess Anne Road. CityVet clinics provide veterinary care, dental care, boarding, grooming, various therapies and healthy pet foods.
• District Apizza closed on June 24, just shy of a year after opening in Norfolk’s Railroad District.
• Lucita’s Express, featuring pupusas and tacos, is open in the former Bliss Bakery location at 1401 Lynnhaven Parkway in Virginia Beach. A grand opening was held on June 24.
• La Brioche, a French bakery in Norfolk’s Neon District, moved into the former Colley Discount Pharmacy location in Ghent. It opened on June 28 at 1415 Colley Ave.
• Burlington opened  a new store in Suffolk’s Harbour View East shopping center on June 28. It’s located at 6253 College Drive #400.

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May

• Funbox brings an inflatable park to Virginia Beach. The four zones of inflatables, totaling 25,000 square feet, opened for the season on May 3. The bounce park is slated to be open through the summer and is located in the Lynnhaven Mall parking lot, between the mall’s movie theater and South Lynnhaven Road.
• Project Seed Coffee held a grand opening on May 4, according to a Facebook post. The new coffee shop serves coffee and pastries influenced by Filipino culture.
• Dollar General’s newly relocated store at 3318 Holland Road in Virginia Beach is open, according to a May 6 press release.
• A new food truck specializing in burritos, Vivi’s Burritos, recently began operations in the Williamsburg area.
• Zaxby’s first Virginia Beach location opened on May 8, according to a news release. It’s located at 2332 Elson Green Ave.
• Paradice, an ice cream and Italian ice shop, held a grand opening on May 11. It’s located at 1906 Frederick Blvd. in Portsmouth.
• Hauser’s Jewelers held a grand opening for its Williamsburg location on Mother’s Day weekend. The new storefront is located at 1325 Jamestown Road.
• Rise Yoga and Wellness, a new Christian-based hot yoga studio in Yorktown, held a grand opening on May 14. It’s located at 4740 George Washington Memorial Highway in Grafton Square.
• Potted, an all-in-one plant shop and tea café, opened in Norfolk’s Selden Market May 14.
• The Riverwalk restaurant along the Yorktown waterfront held a grand reopening on May 14.
• Two Red Lobster locations in Hampton Roads have closed: One at 12580 Jefferson Ave. in Newport News and the other at 2100 Richmond Road in Williamsburg.
• Wawa opened its Outer Banks store, the first of several planned for North Carolina, on May 16.
• Mooyah Burgers, Fries & Shakes located at Settlers Market in Williamsburg has permanently closed, according to a corporate representative.
• A grand opening was held on May 18 for El Ahorro Latin Store in York County. El Ahorro, located at 1900 George Washington Memorial Highway, specializes in a variety of Latin foods, snacks and other products.
• South Moon Under, which sells trendy swimwear and coastal attire, recently opened in Virginia Beach’s Town Center at 4549 Main St.
• Rue21 is closing stores nationwide and plans to close four Hampton Roads locations: MacArthur Center and Janaf Shopping Yard in Norfolk, Patrick Henry Mall in Newport News and Crossways Shopping Center at 1412 Greenbrier Parkway in Chesapeake.
• Column 15 Café and Roastery, a coffeehouse located in the James-York Plaza on Merrimac Trail in Williamsburg, recently expanded after taking over an adjacent storefront. The coffeehouse is now double in size. A grand reopening was held May 18.
• York County held a grand opening for their Law Enforcement Building, which includes the York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office, on May 21. It’s located at 159 Goodwin Neck Road in Yorktown.
• Rite Aid’s location at 1808 Salem Road in Virginia Beach closed May 23. Its pharmacy closed April 18.
• Bob’s Discount Furniture opened a new showroom in Chesapeake on May 24, according to a press release. It’s located at 1324 Greenbrier Parkway.
• Beach Barracuda’s Grill near the Dam Neck area of Virginia Beach closed on May 24.
• Aslin Beer Co. opened at 823 Virginia Beach Blvd., a block east of the sports center,  on May 25.
• Men’s urban clothing store Supreme Styles House of Fashion held a grand opening on May 25. It’s located in the Victory Village Shopping Center on Mooretown Road in Williamsburg.
• New York Bagel Company opened May 25 at 200 North Battlefield Blvd. in Chesapeake.
• Gourmet coffee shop Eleva held a grand opening May 31 in downtown Williamsburg at 111 S. Boundary St. in Merchants Square.
• The Playful Educator, a toy and teacher boutique, opened in the Williamsburg Crossing shopping center near The Coffeehouse and Food Lion. It’s located at 5251 John Tyler Highway in Williamsburg.
• Sloppy Sailors, a restaurant specializing in subs, shakes and salads, opened on May 31. It’s located at 4214 E. Little Creek Road in Norfolk.

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April

• Cooking with Greens, a shop with healthier alternative spice blends and kitchen products, opened in downtown Norfolk’s Selden Market on April 5.
• Studio Kuumba, which opened a temporary pop-up shop in Selden Market in January, transitioned to a full-time storefront on April 5. The studio helps adults tap into their creativity through the arts, including painting and making bracelets. The studio hosts group workshops and special events.
• CAVA opened a new restaurant in Hampton on April 5, according to a news release. It’s located at 2033 Coliseum Drive in Peninsula Town Center.
• Mochi Donut & Tea recently opened at 1255 Fordham Drive in KempsRiver Crossing in Virginia Beach.
• Agenda Virginia, a vintage garment shop, held a grand opening on April 6 at 4291 Holland Road in Virginia Beach.
• Onelife Fitness opened March 27 in Hampton’s Coliseum Marketplace. A ribbon cutting and open house were held on April 8.
• Gourmet Burger Bistro opened at 202 E. Washinton St. in downtown Suffolk on April 13.
• Golden Corral in Chesapeake’s Volvo Parkway Shopping Center has closed, according to a WTKR report.
• I Heart Mac & Cheese, a South Florida-based restaurant specializing in customizable, made-to-order macaroni and cheese bowls and grilled cheese sandwiches, opened in Virginia Beach on April 15, according to its website. It’s located at 5168 Princess Anne Road, Suite 142.
• 508 Crafthouse held a grand opening on April 16 for its location at 508 Oropax St. in Norfolk.
• Kusina Filipinio Cuisine held a grand opening at its new location in Suffolk on April 17. It’s located at 6550 Hampton Roads Center Parkway, #107.
• Cork & Kettle, which offers about 30 Virginia and international organic wines and 16 teas, held a grand opening on April 17. It’s located at 420 Monticello Ave. in Norfolk.
• Burger Haven opened April 19 at 916 Great Bridge Blvd. in Chesapeake, according to their Facebook page.
• Cook’s Burger Bar opened the weekend of April 20 in the former Matchsticks BBQ Co. space in Williamsburg. It’s located at 1246 Richmond Road.
• Blue Sky Distillery held a grand reopening on April 20 at 17466 Benns Church Blvd. in Portsmouth.
• Miss Lilly’s Trading Post, a one-of-a-kind consignment shop and market, celebrated its grand opening in Suffolk on April 20. It’s located at 6707 S. Quay Road.
• Vegan restaurant Kahiau’s Bakery & Cafe in Virginia Beach closed on April 21.
• District Taco opened a new restaurant at 2700 Hampton Boulevard in Norfolk on April 23.
• Raising Cane’s opened April 23  in Chesapeake at 1304 Greenbrier Parkway between Volvo and Eden Way.
• Shoe company Hey Dude opened a storefront at Williamsburg Premium Outlets on April 26, according to a Facebook post.
• Virginia Car Wash Co. celebrated its ribbon cutting on April 26. As part of their grand opening, which lasts through May 5, they’re giving away free car washes and free air fresheners. The car wash is located at 4830 Portsmouth Blvd. in Chesapeake.
• Freedom Boat Club hosted a grand opening for its newest location in Newport News located at Deep Creek Landing Marina at 200 Old Marina Lane on April 26.
• Ynot Italian at 1225 Cedar Road in Chesapeake closed.
• S.O.S. Thrift Store — which sells clothing, home décor, housewares, furniture and electronics — opened on Virginia Beach Boulevard, next to Dunkin’ Donuts in Virginia Beach.
• Another Broken Egg Cafe opened at 1550 Laskin Road, Suite 198, in Virginia Beach on April 29.
• Pangaea Coffee Emporium opened a second location on April 29 inside Anderson’s Garden Center in Newport News.

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March

• Monkee’s, a women’s high-end fashion boutique, opened at 103B N. Boundary St. next to William and Harry in Williamsburg on March 1.
• The Family Dollar at 720 Church St. in Norfolk reopened on March 2 after a fire closed the store for more than a year.
• Bread of Life Bakery opened March 2 at 1650 General Booth Blvd., Suite 106, in Virginia Beach.
• The wholesale operations at White’s Nursery at White’s Old Mill Garden Center are shutting down, but the garden center in the Deep Creek area of Chesapeake isn’t going anywhere.
• Teriyaki Madness held a grand opening March 8 in Williamsburg, according to a Facebook post. The Asian fusion restaurant is located at 6497 Centerville Road in the Lightfoot Marketplace shopping center next to the AT&T Store.
• Burlington opened a store at 5900 E. Virginia Beach Blvd. in Norfolk on March 8, according to a release.
• Andora’s Pizza Box reopened as The Box on March 12. It’s located at 2616 Detroit St. in Portsmouth.
• Tastefully Philly held a grand opening for the café located inside the Paperbacks Ink Bookstore at 9716 Warwick Blvd. in Newport News.
• Grit Coffee opened a location in Midtown Row at 100 College Row, Suite 2101, in Williamsburg on March 13, according to a Facebook post.
• Pisco Paradise, a restaurant offering Peruvian dishes, held a grand opening on March 15. It’s located at 500 Central Drive, Suite 107, in Virginia Beach.
• The Plaza, a dessert shop in Virginia Beach, opened March 16. It’s located at 3762 Virginia Beach Blvd.
• Jungle Jamz Play Café, Suffolk’s first indoor play area tailored for children and coffee enthusiasts alike, opened on March 18 at 1238 Holland Road.
• THRIVE Peninsula held a ribbon cutting for their new headquarters at 12749 Nettles Drive in Newport News on March 19. THRIVE moved into the space on Nov. 20, 2023, but the building was under construction. Work is now complete on the building, which hosts a free grocery store inside.
• Longtime William & Mary clothing shop, the Campus Shop, relocated to Duke of Gloucester Street in Merchants Square. The store opened next to Lululemon, at 345 Duke of Gloucester St.
• After less than a year in operation, the 501 Galley restaurant located on Richmond Road in Norge in James City County has closed.
• Biscuit Belly held a grand opening in Norfolk on March 22, according to a press release. It’s located at 2401 Hampton Blvd.
• Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken & Wings held a grand opening in Norfolk at 5900 E Virginia Beach Blvd., Suite 43, on March 27.
• Pop-up shop and business incubator Bloom Market, which features locally made and unique goods, opened March 28 at 719 High St. in Portsmouth.
• A grand opening was held March 29 for Remix Market Williamsburg, a new retail store in Toano in James City County. The shop, an extension of The Junkluggers of Williamsburg, recently opened at 200-3 Industrial Blvd.
• Ice cream shop ELG Sweet Boutique opened at 340 High St. in Olde Towne Portsmouth, inside The Mustard Seed Place. The Mustard Seed Place celebrated a grand opening on March 27.
• Reaver Beach Brewing Co. closed its Norfolk location on March 30.
• Kensley’s Açaí & Café, which serves acai bowls prepared with sorbet, Puerto Rican coffee and sandwiches on house-made Puerto Rican pan sabao, opened at the end of March in the Cahoon Commons shopping center.

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February

• Little Caesars celebrated the grand opening of its new restaurant at 3742 Virginia Beach Blvd. on Feb. 3.
• Cafe Genevieve held a grand opening of its second Hampton Roads location at 317 S. Witchduck Road in Virginia Beach on Feb. 3.
• Dough Haus, offering coffee, donuts and pizza, opened Feb. 6 at 17303 Warwick Blvd. in Newport News, according to Facebook.
• New donut concept Oh! Mochi held a grand opening on Feb. 9 at 4224 Virginia Beach Blvd., Suite 103.
• C.P. Dean, a Richmond-based indoor game furnishings supplier, expanded to Chesapeake. The company opened a 3,700-square-foot showroom, workshop and warehouse at 1244 Executive Blvd. in Greenbrier. The location focuses mainly on the sale of billiard tables, shuffleboard tables, darts and residential and commercial game room furniture.
• HCK Hot Chicken is opening Feb. 10 at 430 N. Newtown Road in Virginia Beach.
• Pixelated Boutique moved from the ViBe District in Virginia Beach to the Hilltop North Shopping Center at 1628 Laskin Road.
• Hello Sweetie Cheesecakes opened on Feb. 10 at 333 High St. in Portsmouth.
• The Community Feed at Berkley opened Feb. 12 at 701 S Main St. in Norfolk, according to a press release.
• Dollar General opened a store on Feb. 13 at 3300 Academy Ave. in Portsmouth, according to a press release.
• One of the only Black-owned ship repair businesses in the U.S. expanded to Portsmouth. Mills Marine and Ship Repair opened a fabrication and training facility on Feb. 22 at 30 Beechdale Road.
• Plaza Bakery moved to 3762 Virginia Beach Blvd. in Virginia Beach and held a soft opening on Feb. 24.
• Hyperbaric Health opened Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy & Red Light Therapy center at 2605 Virginia Beach Blvd., Suite 105, on Feb. 27, according to a release.
• Mod Pizza celebrated a grand opening in Norfolk on Feb. 27, according to a release. The chain is located at 1560 Mall Drive Unit CD-13 at Naval Station Norfolk.

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January

• Dave’s BBQ held a grand opening of its new location at 1009 Laskin Road in Virginia Beach on Jan. 1.
• IncuHub opened a second coworking space at 101 Eaton St. in downtown Hampton on Jan. 1.
• Conte’s Bike Shop moved from 4900 Courthouse St. in Williamsburg to a larger location around the corner at 5105 Main St. on Jan. 2. The new location features a fit area, a cafe and expanded service department.
• The Wandering Sausage food truck launched on Jan. 3. Specializing in Philly cheesesteaks and chicken cheesesteaks along with mild and hot Italian sausages, the food truck stops at breweries and other establishments in the Williamsburg area.
• Precarious Beer Project announced on Jan. 4 its plans to close the Electric Circus Taco Bar located within Precarious Beer Hall. The brewery will begin offering a rotating pop-up food option with new dishes each quarter.
• Choice Korean Food Hall & Pub opened at 12515 Jefferson Ave. #450 in Newport News.
• Grocery store Walkers Market opened in Suffolk at 530 W. Washington St.
• Rite Aid closed three local stores in the span of a week. Its store located at 840 S. Military Highway in Virginia Beach shuttered on Jan. 8. The store at 14260 Warwick Blvd. in Newport News closed on Jan. 9 and one at 5601B Richmond Road in Williamsburg closed on Jan. 10, according to a company spokesperson. The company confirmed the closures of several additional stores in the area.
• Gourmet Gang opened a posh spot in La Promenade, a popular shopping destination in the Hilltop area. The location with upscale decor can host private events and happy hours.
• Torrid held a grand opening at the Williamsburg Premium Outlets near Nike and Michael Kors on Jan. 13.
• Superheroes Ice Cream opened near Lynnhaven Mall on Jan. 13. It’s located at 2724 N Mall Drive in Virginia Beach.
• Voodoo Brewing Co. held a grand opening in Virginia Beach at 300 Constitution Drive, Suite 109, on Jan. 13.
• Farm Fresh in Poquoson announced it’ll close this winter. The renovated store at 460 Wythe Creek Road will remain open until all inventory is sold.
• Crumbl held a grand opening at 236 Carmichael Way in Chesapeake on Jan. 19.
• Wall Street Cafe closed in Suffolk on Jan. 19, according to the Suffolk News-Herald.
• A grand opening for Pet Supplies Plus in Chesapeake was held on Jan. 20, according to a press release. In addition to pet products, the store offers a full-service grooming salon and self-pet wash stations. The store is located at 4107 Portsmouth Blvd.
• A Pet Supplies Plus opened on Jan. 20 at 2129 General Booth Blvd. in Virginia Beach.
• The Salt Life opened in Williamsburg Premium Outlets on Jan. 23. It’s located between Vineyard Vines and Vans.
• Bohemian Amigos Record Shop opened Jan. 26 at 227 Fox Hill Road, Suite C-4, in Hampton.
• The Carol S. and Edward D. Cowell, Jr. Cancer Center opened at 4927 S. Croatan Highway in Nags Head on Jan. 29. For the first time, local cancer patients can receive all services under one roof.
• Crave Bakery + Coffee Bar moved to 200 College Place in Norfolk.

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End of 2023

• Rajput Indian Cuisine opened on Dec. 26 at 2099 Sun Harbour Ave., Suite 115, in Suffolk.
• Bodega Cafe opened on Dec. 23 at 3574 Holland Road in Virginia Beach.
• After 144 years in business, Spertner Jewlers, which was located within Ghent Antiques in Norfolk, closed on Dec. 21.
• Newly renovated Red Roof Inn & Suites opened on Dec. 20 at 16890 Warwick Blvd. in Newport News, according to a press release.
• Assisted living community Regent of Newport News opened in mid-December at 741 Thimble Shoals Blvd.
• Anya Thai Cuisine opened Dec. 11 at 12454 Warwick Blvd. in Newport News.
• Kidtique Hampton opened Dec. 11 at 4400 Kilgore Ave. in Peninsula Town Center.
• First Watch opened its third Virginia Beach restaurant at 1909 Landstown Centre Way on Dec. 11, according to a press release.
• Soulivia’s Art + Soul Restaurant at Hillcrest Parkway in Chesapeake closed Dec. 8, according to the restaurant’s Facebook post.
• Veterinary clinic MyVet opened Dec. 7 at 620 Grassfield Parkway, Suite 150, in Chesapeake.
• Locals Marketplace, a pop-up shop for artisans’ locally made and sourced products, took over the space of The Mic in the former Urban Outfitters spot at the beginning of December in downtown Norfolk.
• Pizza shop Your Pie at 754 Hilltop North Shopping Center in Virginia Beach closed on Dec.4, according to a Facebook post.
• Megallons Gourmet Barbeque at 2424 E Little Creek Road in Norfolk closed Dec. 2, according to a Facebook post.

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Coming soon

• Chef’Store plans to open two stores at 1 Town Centre Way in Hampton and 4001 Virginia Beach Blvd. in Collins Square Shopping Center in Virginia Beach in the second half of 2024, according to a release. The stores will offer fresh produce, meat, beverages, restaurant equipment and more.
• The Wagsters Magic Theatre will relocate to a larger space in the shops at High Street later this year. The theater is currently located at 5535 Olde Towne Road behind Williamsburg Premium Outlets.
• Handsome Biscuit plans to open a second location in Virginia Beach soon. They’re coming to the former Tijuana Flats location at 4224 Virginia Beach Blvd.
• Goodwill will open a second location in Greater Williamsburg this fall. The new store will be located at 4501 News Road.
• A Chicken Salad Chick will open in Chesapeake’s Greenbrier neighborhood in November followed by another location in Settler’s Market near Williamsburg in early 2025.
• The Picklr, dubbed the world’s largest indoor pickleball club, plans to open a franchise location at 120 Gristmill Plaza in Williamsburg in the winter.
• Mr. Rogers Windows outgrew its showroom and warehouse in the Greenbrier area of Chesapeake. A site near the city’s Grassfield High School for a 52,000-square-foot facility is expected to open in early 2025.

These are the businesses that opened, moved locations, or closed last year.

Macy Friend, mfriend@dailypress.com

And industry leaders view improvements in technology as another way to expand access to banking.

Chase Bank continues to expand its retail banking presence in Hampton Roads and expects to open at least 10 more branches by 2027, regional director Alfonso Guzman said.

“We’re big believers in our branches,” Guzman said. “We really believe they are the pillars of the community and they’re important parts of every community.”

Chase currently has two branches in Norfolk and Williamsburg and one each in Newport News and Virginia Beach. By the end of this year, Chase plans to open a second branch in Virginia Beach along with branches in Hampton and Chesapeake, Guzman said. The remaining five new branches will open between 2025 and 2027.

While Chase puts its digital focus on the forefront, Guzman said its branches are still a part of its strategy to meet clients within their communities.

“It’s not either/or,” he said. “We want to make sure that human-to-human interaction is still top of mind and a priority for us as we continue to grow.”

Dollar Bank has opened nine branches since entering the market, said Dave Paradise, senior vice president of Dollar Bank’s Virginia Division. Dollar Bank has 13 branches in South Hampton Roads, including four from its acquisition of Bank @lantec in 2017.

While Dollar Bank has no immediate plans to add branches, it actively looks for opportunities in low- to moderate-income census tracts throughout its markets, Paradise said.

“Technology has really improved access to banking services, which means that it is easier for people to bank with us in a way that is convenient for them,” Paradise said.

In an effort to help Hispanic and immigrant consumers, Chartway Credit Union, which has 16 branches in Suffolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake and Norfolk, opened its first fully bilingual branch in the state in Virginia Beach at the end of April.

And Fulton Bank launched a diverse business banking program designed to meet the needs of minority, women, veteran and LGBTQ business owners last summer. Fulton Bank operates five financial centers in Hampton Roads, including three in Virginia Beach and one each in Chesapeake and Newport News, spokesperson Steve Trapnell said. Last year, Fulton opened a commercial banking office in Norfolk.

“We are committed to making financing and banking products more accessible to groups that, historically, have been underserved,” Fulton Bank Chairman and CEO Curt Myers said.

Sandra J. Pennecke, 757-652-5836, sandra.pennecke@pilotonline.com