Gloucester County Economic Development

Business Monthly
e-NEWS
July 2019
In This Issue
Economic Development Department Updates
  • New Business Licenses
  • Business Directory
  • Gloucester County Treasurer's Office Accepting Online Payments for Permits
  • July Home Based Business Lunch: Growing as a Business
  • Photos from June's Business Breakfast: Emergency Preparedness
  • New Economic Development Coordinator
Business News and Awards
  • Los Portales Mexican Restaurant Opening
  • Plush Parlor Wigs & Beauty Supply Ribbon Cutting
  • Gloucester Breweries Awarded 2019 Craft Cup Beer Awards
  • Virginia Living Best of Virginia celebrates Gloucester Businesses
  • Spotlight on Kelsick Market, Retail Alliance's 2019 Retailer of the Year
Resources
  • Small Business Incentives
  • Appointments with Jim Carroll, Business Consultant
  • Living Shoreline Grant and Loan Funding
  • Emergency/Disaster Preparation
  • Job Opportunities
  • Featured Available Property

New Business Licenses
Commercial
Edgewater Eye Care, LLC
Enigma
Helping Hearts In-Home Care LLC

Home Based
K-Dog's Towing and Salvage
Cathy's Custom Crafts
Blue Water Addiction Fishing and Apparel LLC
Rhapsody 'N Broom
Comprehensive Billing Consultants LLC
Mom & Son Cleaning Frenzy
Crumbs & Cutouts
WM Clearing and Cleanup
Reef in Peace LLC
Shirlee's Crafts
Teller of Tales Travel LLC
William R Freeman Excavating Inc
804 Graphix
Command Builders LLC
DAH Customs LLC
Mission Pawsible
White Dog Security
Amanda Magnus
North Point Yacht Sales
Virgina Land Development and Construction
Essential Quest
Wholistically Beautiful LLC
DJ Maintenance
Business Directory
The Department of Economic Development works to keep this up-to-date and comprehensive directory of small businesses in Gloucester County.

We welcome you to use it as a Community Resource! Whether you are looking for a great lunch, a haircut, or a veterinarian, you will find it here.

Our goal is to include all county businesses!
Please contact Lucy with any additions or updates.
Gloucester Treasurer’s Office Now Accepting Online Payments for Permits
The Gloucester County Treasurer’s Office began accepting online payments for permits in early June. Individuals who have applied for permits in the Planning and Zoning, Building Inspections and Environmental Departments may now pay for those permits online through the County’s website at www.gloucesterva.info . The secure service is user-friendly and will allow payments by credit card, debit card or electronic check.   

For information call the Gloucester Treasurer’s Office weekdays from 8am to 4:30pm at (804) 693-2141, or visit the County website at Gloucesterva.info and click on “Payment Options."
Home-Based Business
Pack a Lunch & Network
Please join us on July 24 for a presentation by Terri Crowder of Northern Neck Popcorn Bag for a workshop on Growing as a Business . Terri is a fourth-generation entrepreneur and has developed her entrepreneurial, sales and marketing skills in a variety of endeavors from owning a Money Mailer direct mail franchise, to owning a multi-location automotive repair business, and as an Automotive Management Software Consultant. In 2016, she opened the gourmet popcorn store in Kilmarnock. Terri will talk about the growth she has experienced since expanding her business to a second location in Gloucester Courthouse—and share her approach to managing growing pains! We'll also learn about how she uses technology to track and grow her business. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided!

Terri welcomes questions from the community ahead of time, please feel welcome to email your questions .

Growing as a Business

Wednesday, July 24
12:00PM-1:30PM

Bay Transit Center
Conference Room
5959 Fiddlers Green Road
Terri Crowder by Sara Thrift Photography
Are you coming?
LOCATION
Bay Transit Center Conference Room (5959 Fiddlers Green Rd)

DATE AND TIME
07/24/19 12:00pm - 07/24/19 1:30pm

Home-Based Businesses: Pack a Lunch & Learn!
I'll be there!
I can't make it
Come learn and network with fellow home-based business entrepreneurs in Gloucester County!
Business Breakfast: Emergency Preparedness
On June 5th, we learned about local and national resources, ways to prepare, and best practices as a small business owner when there's an emergency. Our panel of experts included Sam Walker from Dominion Energy, Gloucester County Emergency Coordinator Brett Major, John Phillips of Phillips Energy, Inc, Marsh Weatherwax of Weatherwax Insurance Agency, and Barbara Bennett from Chesapeake Bank. Thank you to al panelists and attendees!

Images courtesy of Gloria Williams, Gloucester County Chamber of Commerce
New Economic Development Coordinator

Hello! My name is Lucy Allen and I am assuming Savannah's role as Economic Development Coordinator for Gloucester County. I'm very excited to support growth in Gloucester County and get to work with local business owners. My background is in fine art, and my experience includes public service, customer service, and entrepreneurship as the director of a contemporary art gallery. I look forward to getting to know you better! You can reach me by email with any questions or content suggestions for the newsletter.
BUSINESS NEWS & AWARDS
Los Portales Mexican Restaurant Opening
Miguel Ayala and Ricardo Perez of Los Portales. Courtesy of Peter J. Teagle, Gloucester-Mathews Gazette-Journal

Los Portales , meaning "the doorways" is opening soon in the Shoppes at Gloucester Shopping Center! The menu features original recipes and modified versions of classics like enchiladas, burritos, tacos, quesadillas, and guacamole made from scratch tableside. Owners Miguel Ayala and Ricardo Perez are launching Los Portales in Gloucester following their successful locations in Tappahannock and Callao.
Los Portales, 6451 Market Drive, Gloucester, (804) 699-3311
Plush Parlor Wigs & Beauty Supply Opening
Please welcome Plush Parlor Wigs and Beauty Supply! The Gloucester Economic Development Department and Gloucester Chamber of Commerce joined Plush Parlor for a ribbon cutting ceremony and Grand Opening on July 1. Plush Parlor is a full service beauty supply and hair care center. The salon also carries affordable custom-dyed wigs. Ch eck out Plush at at 6888 George Washington Mem Hwy.

Images courtesy of Gloria Williams, Gloucester County Chamber of Commerce
2019 Craft Cup Beer Awards
Hundreds of Virginia breweries competed in the 2019 Virginia Craft Beer Cup in Richmond and two Gloucester breweries took home awards.

Congratulations to The Gloucester Brewing Company for taking second place in the Alternative Fermentable Beer for its "DeadRYEz" brew! The brewery website describes the beer as "a lighter brew with a third of the grain bill consisting of rye for additional flavor, and aroma from Nugget and Cascade hops."

Cheers to That Damn Mary Brewing Company in White Marsh for winning third place in the Amber and Brown American Beer category for the "Easy Money" brew! "Easy Money" is an Amber Ale that is "balanced, with a mellow flavor that encourages you to sit back and put your feet up."

Beat July's heat with a cool and refreshing glass of beer at one of these great local breweries!
6788 Main Street
Gloucester
5036B George Washington Mem Hwy Hayes
Best of Virginia

Virginia Living Magazine Announces
2019 Best of Virginia Winners

This year Gloucester businesses won 13 awards in Best Business categories for Eastern Virginia from Virginia Living Magazine!

We are so proud of our business community. Please give these local businesses your congratulations!
Winners
Best Craft Brewery: That Damn Mary
Best Italian Restaurant: Tony and Milena's Pizzeria
Best Local Ice Cream Shop: Short Lane Ice Cream
Best Mexican Restaurant: Juan's Mexican Cafe and Cantina

Second Place
Best Asian Restaurant: Bangkok Noi Thai Cuisine & Sushi
Best Hair Salon: Bridgewater's Salon & Spa

Third Place
Best Barbeque Restaurant: Scoot's BBQ
Best Local Gourmet Food Store: Kelsick Specialty Market
Best Wine Shop: Kelsick Specialty Market
Best Massage Therapy Group: Heartfelt Touch Massage Therapy
Best Car Dealer: Bill Hudgins GMC
Best Fine Jewelry Store: Vashti's Jewelers
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Kelsick Market, Retailer of the Year
Kelsick Specialty Market on Main Street in Gloucester Village is the place to go on the Middle Peninsula for fine wines and gourmet foods, with local, organic and specialty items available. “I love entertaining people,” says Paige Drewry, the new owner of Kelsick Specialty Market. The 23-year old Yorktown native has hit the ground running. Kelsick Market was just awarded Retailer of the Year by the Hampton Roads Retail Alliance, chosen from nearly 150 nominees, and recently took home two commendations from Virginia Living’s Best of Virginia issue in the Best Wine Shop and Best Local Gourmet Food Store.

Drewry was drawn to Kelsick’s unique selection, noting that “people love coming here and finding things they can’t get anywhere else.” She aims to support local farmers and growers, and the shop offers Virginia brands including Yorktown’s Mobjack Coffee Roasters, meats from Wake Forest Farm in Topping, and dairy from Homestead Creamery in Wirtz, VA. Kelsick also carries locally made wines from Barboursville, Rappahannock, Jefferson and other cellars, as well as fine wines from France, Italy and beyond.

Wine is a subject near to Drewry’s heart, as she once dreamed of owning her own vineyard and has trained to become a sommelier. Studies in France and Germany have helped refine her palette. Her recommendations include Barboursville Octagon for a special occasion, and the smokey-tasting Predator Zinfandel wine for a more casual dinner. “It’s great with a burger!” Drewry’s expertise will help her goal to offer more special events in the future, like private tastings or mystery tastings, and classes to learn about wine pairing. Drewry also aims to expand the market’s catering business and launch online ordering for Kelsick’s Monthly Entrée Menu. Presently Kelsick offers made-from-scratch meals and sides like Shepherd’s Pie, Brussel Sprouts with Herbed Butter, and Drewry’s favorite Chicken and Wild Rice.

Look out for details of an upcoming Summer Bash and ribbon cutting to celebrate the new ownership and engage the Gloucester community. There will be a cookout and wine tastings, and lots of fun!

Lucy Allen
RESOURCES
Small Business Incentives
The Gloucester County Board of Supervisors, Economic Development Authority and Economic Development Department are dedicated to promoting and improving the economic health and quality of life in Gloucester. These incentive programs are here to support, promote and encourage small businesses by providing assistance with interior and exterior improvements, advertising and website design work.

Property Improvement: Assistance with renovations and build-out. Projects covered in this incentive include new floors, ceiling tiles, windows, doors, painting and other interior improvements.

Facade Improvement: This program is designed to provide assistance to property or business owners for exterior façade improvements, new signage or landscaping.

Co-op Advertising Grant: This program supports advertising and promotional activities.

E-Commerce Matching Grant Program: Offers aid with new website design and development.

These grants are awarded on a first come, first serve basis and are provided until annual funds are depleted. Our new fiscal year funding began July 1 so it's the perfect time to apply for support!
Appointments with Jim Carroll on July 25


Meet for free with Jim Carroll, our business consultant!

Executive Director of the Hampton Roads Small Business Development Center Jim Carroll will be back on  July 25th  for private consulting appointments. The meetings are held at the Gloucester Library on Main Street. 

Contact   Lucy    to schedule an appointment.
Living Shoreline Grant and Loan Funding
Property owners looking to shore up their waterfront with nature-based solutions can access funds through the Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission. 

Waterfront property owners throughout the region are encouraged to prepare now for potential storms in 2019 by stabilizing their properties with living shorelines, the Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission (MPPDC) announced.

To do so, residents can access a suite of funds available through the MPPDC’s low interest loan Living Shoreline Incentive Program and/or through grants provided by the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Districts ’ Virginia Conservation Assistance Program.

The MPPDC’s Living Shoreline Incentive Program funds are offered in the form of loans of $1,000 to $10,000 financed for up to 60 months, and for up to 120 months for loans greater than $10,000. Interest rates are set at the Wall Street Journal Prime Rate as of the day of loan approval.
Soil and Water Conservation Districts can provide grant funding reimbursed at 75% of total costs with a maximum payment of $15,000 per parcel per year.

Living shorelines can include the installation of the following:
  • Vegetation. Native plant roots along shorelines hold soil in place to reduce erosion, provide a buffer to upland areas, break small waves and slow inland water transfer.
  • Edging. Edging structures, which can include living reefs, hold the toe of existing or vegetated shoreline and protect against further shoreline erosion.
  • Sills. Installed parallel to existing or vegetated shorelines, sills reduce wave energy.
  • Beach nourishment. Adding sand from an outside source to an eroding beach can move the shoreline seaward.
  • A combination of any of the above.

Are you Truly Prepared for an Emergency?
Officially, hurricane season began June 1 st . Are you truly prepared? For 2019, NOAA predicts a range of 9-15 names storms or which 4-8 could become hurricanes, including 2-4 major ones (Cat 3,4,or 5).

Are you ready? Do you have an individual and/or family plan? Does it include an evacuation or shelter plan?  How about your disaster supply kit…. have you compiled what you need for 3-5 days? Have you conducted a recent insurance check-up? How do you plan to stay informed before, during and after an emergency? 

Need assistance in getting prepared? The 2019 Gloucester County Guide to Disaster Preparedness was recently mailed to all postal customers in the county. This guide has everything you need to know, and more, to understand what it takes to truly be prepared for any emergency or disaster. 

Some other helpful info:

Have you registered for CodeRED – the county’s community emergency notification system? By adding your phone number, email and address to the database, you will be kept informed of any local emergency/disaster announcements and information.  Register HERE.  

Do you KNOW YOUR ZONE?  In the event of needing to evacuate, knowing which zone you are in will assist you if local officials announce a needed evacuation of an area. Finding your zone is as easy as A,B,C or D! Visit the KnowYourZone website. 

Are you Flood Fluent?   Did you know that flooding is the most common natural disaster? Did you know if your home floods it is not typically covered by homeowners or renters insurance? And… did you know that just one inch of water in our home can cost more than $25,000 in repairs? It’s time to GET FLOOD FLUENT! 
To get all the facts, visit GetFloodFluent.org .
 
TAX FREE Disaster/Emergency Supply Weekend is coming in August!  August 2-4 you can buy qualifying emergency and disaster preparedness items without paying sales tax. Check out the list and more info HERE.  

Three websites offer tons of helpful information:




Being prepared... it's a good thing.

Christi A. Lewis, Director, Gloucester Community Education
Job Opportunities
  • Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney I or II
  • Assistant Director of Utilities
  • Community School Site Supervisor
  • Park Aide
  • Recreation Aide
  • Software Analyst I or II
  • Specialty Instructor
  • Utility Foreman
  • Utility Maintenance Worker or Technician




P lease let us know if you are a small business owner in need of employees. We will include your "help wanted" ad in our next addition of Business Monthly e-News.
Featured Available Property
White Marsh Shopping Center
4870 George Washington Memorial Highway

  • 2,980 square feet
  • Storefront & Retail Area
  • Large Warehouse Space
  • Loading
  • 3-Year+ Lease

Contact Laurie Mason, Manager, White Marsh Properties, LLC with inquiries.
Quote of the Month
Everybody gets a "one." You cannot guard against the Once but you can protect against the Twice.

—Joe Manley
If you have a new and innovative business or business concept and would like to be considered for one of our newsletters, please send pictures and a brief write-up to Lucy.
Board of Supervisors | Economic Development Authority | Economic Development Department
Economic Development Department | 6747 Main Street | 804.693.1415 | sspring@gloucesterva.info

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Published by Economic Development Department