Town Center of Virginia Beach just got a little tastier. TASTE, the popular Virginia Beach-born gourmet specialty food market and café, celebrated the opening of its 10th location—this one with a prominent presence in the heart of Virginia Beach—with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Feb. 28.
“I am a customer. I know what’s on the Boardwalk Sandwich. I love the Brunswick stew,” Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer told guests gathered in the bright and open corner space at Commerce and Market Streets, before praising the distinctive TASTE vibe customers have come to know and love. “You walk through the door and you feel the spirit. To a great crew and a great city: Welcome, TASTE!”
In addition to numerous locations around the Southside, TASTE has recently expanded to Newport News City Center at Oyster Point and Richmond’s West End. Founded as a wine and cheese shop in 1973 by local culinary icon Peter Coe, TASTE has become an area staple known for its signature sandwiches, made-to-order salads, prepared foods and specialty sauces along with a carefully curated selection of gourmet food products and beverages.
The new 4,600-square-foot, street-level Town Center of Virginia Beach store has all of those favorites along with a Borjo DrinkBar featuring a full espresso bar, smoothies and fresh juices—the third of their locations to offer the Borjo “brand within a brand” coffee station.
“We had been looking at Town Center for a while,” says TASTE owner Jon Pruden of the opening, “but the timing just hadn’t been right. When we saw Zeiders American Dream Theater open and how sexy that space is, that was what really piqued our interest.”
The latest TASTE is situated next to the grand staircase leading up to Zeiders and across the street from Town Center’s Fountain Plaza, making it central to crowds for theater performances, seasonal and residential foot traffic.
First-floor retail and counter service is complemented by mezzanine seating notable for its wall-to-wall original mural by artist Igor depicting pop music performers who are either native to the area or have performed locally.
Leona Baker
Leona Baker is the Editor-in-Chief of Coastal Virginia Magazine, a writer, creative, communications professional, food freak, news junkie, nature and travel lover and mom. She holds a degree in English from James Madison University and a degree in Dance & Choreography from Virginia Commonwealth University. She previously served as Senior Copywriter for Spark 451, Director of Marketing & Communications at Virginia Wesleyan University, and Senior Editor of Port Folio Weekly.
