The Williamsburg Christmas Market, styled similar to traditional European Christmas markets, is returning to downtown Williamsburg for its fourth year.
Similar to last year, about 40 vendors, including several food vendors, will be located along Court Street between the Colonial Williamsburg Museum and the city’s Bicentennial Park. The market will run for five weekends leading up to Christmas.
Local nonprofit CultureFix organizes and operates the market, said CultureFix co-founder and market organizer Steve Rose. He added that Williamsburg is donating funds to operate the market and providing space for the event free of charge.
Admission to the market is free.
The market will open from November 24th to 26th and continue every weekend in December from November 30th to December. 3rd, December 7th-10th, December 14th-17th, December 21st-23rd. The hours have changed slightly from last year and will now be Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“We purchased additional chalets this year to accommodate food vendors and others,” Mr Rose said. He added that the wooden chalets provide security at night and are “better looking than just a tent, they look more European.”
Vendors reserve their spaces each weekend. The 18-day market will attract a total of about 60 vendors.
Approximately 45,000 people attended last year’s event. “Without tickets, it’s a little difficult to determine attendance,” Rose said. “However, we are carefully measuring visitor numbers on a daily and weekend basis. We hope to see a slight increase in market footfall this year.”
If it rains, there will be fewer visitors, but “the cold has nothing to do with it,” he said. There will be mulled cider, hot chocolate, and mulled wine (warm spiced wine) available, and patrons seem to be enjoying the chilly temperatures. ”
There will also be holiday music, fire pits and photo opportunities throughout the market, including the chalet where Santa Claus resides.
Ice rink opens at Colonial Williamsburg
The Liberty Ice Pavilion, located on Duke of Gloucester Street at the end of Merchants Square, opens on November 17th and remains open for most of the winter until February 27th.
The approximately 50-by-70-foot rink is made of real ice. Link is in its 9th year.
The daily cost for skating is $16 for adults and $14 for youth (ages 3-12). Skate rentals are $6. Seasonal skate passes are also available for $110 for adults and $95 for youth.
Discounts available to Colonial Williamsburg employees and volunteers, CW Pass members, military and William & Mary students. The discount is $3 off regular weekday admission.
The posted link schedule (subject to change) is Sunday through Thursday, noon to 8 p.m. Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Business hours vary on holidays. Please see below for more information. www.colonialwilliamsburg.org/tickets/ice-skating.
Snacks such as hot cider and coffee can be purchased next to the rink.
Whaling companies continue operations
The Whaling Company restaurant, located at 494 McLaws Circle in James City County, continues to operate for its 43rd year.
Owner Steve York said, “We’ve had people call us and ask if we’re still open. They felt we were closing.”
The news that the land on which the restaurant is located was being sold apparently caused some confusion. “It had nothing to do with my restaurant,” York added.
“We will continue to do business under the whaling company logo,” he said. “We’ve been in business since 1980, we love Williamsburg, we love our longtime guests, we love our employees.”
At least 20 of the current staff have been in York for the past 10 years.
There are still spots available for the restaurant’s fully booked Thanksgiving dinner, complete with turkey and all the ingredients. The cost is $45 per person. Reservations can be made at 757-229-0275.
Colonial CPA Group opens new office
Colonial Real Estate Holdings LLC purchased a 2,069-square-foot, ground-floor office condominium at 5400 Discovery Park Blvd. The James City County property was acquired from Leebcor Properties at Casey LLC for a $480,000 investment.
Colonial CPA Group plans to open a new office at the Newtown location in early 2024, according to Cushman & Wakefield | Thalimah Real Estate in Richmond.
Other businesses in the three-story, 30,000-square-foot building include Cornerstone Wealth Management, REMAX, Hecker and Associates, Ryan Homes and Davenport Wealth Management.
Cushman & Wakefield’s Andy Dallas | Mr. Thalimah handled the sale on behalf of the seller, and Teresa Nettles, also Mr. Thalimah, represented the buyer.
DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen Open
Yusuf Atai is the new owner and operator of DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen, a design and remodeling company with “excellent craftsmanship and ethical values.”
It is located at 5131 Main Street, Newtown, James City County.
Originally from Antioquia in southern Turkey, Atay was looking for a brand recognized for its expertise in interior design. He chose DreamMaker, which has franchises across the United States.
The Prescription Shoppe is affiliated with Williamsburg Landing
Prescription Shoppe will replace Williamsburg Landing’s current pharmacy provider and take over drug services for residents.
The pharmacy previously offered a vaccine clinic on-site. The new collaboration begins December 1st.
dots and dashes
SL Nusbaum Realty Co. of Norfolk has announced the following lease renewals.
• America’s Best Contacts & Glasses and GameStop in York County’s Cedar Valley Shops. Nusbaum’s Maggie Spillane and Chris Hucke represented the landlord in both of her transactions.
• Marketplace Shops Duck Donuts. Nussbaum’s Tyler Jacobson represented the landlord.
• Virginia ABC Store at James York Plaza Shopping Center in York County. Nussbaum resident Maggie Spillane represented the landlord.
Wilford Kale, kalehouse@aol.com
