
Reporter
Sandra J. Pennecke
Sandra J. Pennecke is a reporter for Inside Business. She began writing for The Virginian-Pilot in 1999 as a correspondent and joined the staff in 2016.
All Stories

Former NFL scout Tommy Reamon Jr. promotes hometown pride through store at Newport News mall
Tommy Reamon Jr. launched a clothing brand called City On My Chest and opened a store in Patrick Henry Mall. He also expanded his community involvement by launching a nonprofit...

White’s Old Mill Garden Center in Chesapeake closes despite family’s efforts to keep it flourishing
Now, the family business is busy auctioning off items for commercial growers, including the greenhouses, numerous plant carts and hanging basket display racks, pallets, industrial storage tanks, and other equipment...

Don’t fall for this scam using vacant properties to target renters and homebuyers, expert warns
Steve DuBrueler, founder and CEO of Coldwell Banker Premier, said there has been a surge in scams involving vacant properties.

Here’s what’s next for Virginia Beach’s Fairfield Shopping Center after demolition
Fairfield Shopping Center in Virginia Beach was bought by Crosland Southeast, a Charlotte, North Carolina-based development company in 2019. By the time Crosland completes its roughly $2 million redevelopment, there...

Virginia Breeze bus line set to run from Virginia Beach to Shenandoah Valley
Virginia Breeze bus line's fifth route, known as Tidewater Current, will offer two-way transport on Interstate 64 from Virginia Beach to Harrisonburg. The route, once operational next year, will run...

VA loan borrowers can pay real estate agent fees temporarily, department says, amid settlement
The Department of Veterans Affairs released a circular on June 11 temporarily allowing veterans using VA home loan benefits to pay for their real estate agent's commission or fees starting...

Popular hangout, Beach Barracuda’s Grill, closes in Virginia Beach
Owner Phyllis "Teet" Waddell said it became too much to continue operations following building upkeep issues and other problems.

5 Virginia Beach businesses ‘pushing through’ after fire destroys building: ‘We’ll come back bigger and better’
Onyx Realty Professionals and other businesses are still working remotely or next door while other tenants are looking for temporary operating space, the property owner said.

Business-boosting program expanding from Virginia Beach to other Hampton Roads cities
Uplift partnered with Virginia Beach to offer programming to help small, women- and minority-owned businesses grow. Next, the program is expanding to Portsmouth and its creator is pitching it to...

Hampton Roads investment fund aims to empower regional Black and innovative entrepreneurs
Earlier in May, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced the launch of Virginia Invests, which aims to leverage partnerships with seven venture capital fund managers to attract $100 million for 100 Virginia...