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Beloved Founder of The Cheese Shop Passes Away

The Cheese Shop, a beloved local business known for its community spirit.

News Summary

Mary Ellen ‘Myrt’ Edwards Power, founder of The Cheese Shop in Williamsburg, Virginia, has passed away at 85. Known for her community impact and business legacy, she will be remembered for her compassion and humor. A celebration of her life is scheduled for August 4, reflecting her lifelong commitment to service.

Williamsburg, Virginia – Mary Ellen “Myrt” Edwards Power, the beloved founder of The Cheese Shop, passed away on June 15, 2025, at the age of 85. She succumbed to complications from Alzheimer’s disease, surrounded by family and friends during the final days of her life. Notably, her death occurred on Father’s Day, marking 76 years since her father’s passing, a date that held significant meaning for her.

Myrt was married to Tom Power for 56 years, described as a partnership filled with love and respect. Their union was celebrated on numerous occasions, including when both received the prestigious Prentis Award from William & Mary in 2017, highlighting their contributions to the community and their shared bond. Tom Power expressed profound pride in their marriage throughout their lives together.

Myrt Power had a lasting impact on the local community, leaving a legacy built on over five decades of business ownership and compassionate leadership. She was revered and adored by thousands of employees, known for her unique ability to make each person feel valued. Her joyful sense of humor, generosity, and thoughtfulness endeared her to many.

In 1971, Myrt and Tom opened The Cheese Shop, their first business, when she was 31 and he was 36. Initially, Myrt intended to assist Tom part-time, but their collaboration blossomed into a successful partnership. The Cheese Shop quickly became a staple in the community, being one of the first retail establishments in Virginia to obtain an ABC license for selling wine. The shop was known for its legendary sandwiches, thanks in part to Myrt’s signature condiment known as “House Dressing.”

The original location of The Cheese Shop was in the Warwick Shopping Center in Newport News, but in 1973, it relocated to Colonial Williamsburg’s Merchants Square, where it continued to grow in popularity. Over the years, the Power family expanded their entrepreneurial reach by opening additional businesses: Fat Canary, The Wine Cellar, and The Trellis. The Trellis, which opened in 1980, was notable as Virginia’s first New American dining restaurant and received numerous accolades.

In 1986, Myrt’s daughter, Cathy, joined The Cheese Shop full-time, bringing the family closer into the business. Her son and daughter returned to lead the family operations in 2000, ensuring the Power legacy continued. In 2003, they relocated The Cheese Shop to a more spacious site on Duke of Gloucester Street to accommodate its growing customer base.

Fat Canary, another of their ventures, has garnered recognition as one of OpenTable’s Top 100 Best Restaurants in America, furthering the family’s commitment to quality dining experiences. In recognition of their contributions to the local economy, The Cheese Shop and Fat Canary received the first annual Business Appreciation Award from the City of Williamsburg in 2005.

Myrt was born on March 29, 1940, in Norfolk, Virginia. She was the youngest of three siblings in the Edwards family, known for their involvement in athletics and music. After suffering the loss of her father in 1949, Myrt’s mother continued to manage the family business, illustrating the spirit of entrepreneurship that Myrt would carry throughout her life.

She attended Mary Washington College and engaged in various activities, including synchronized swimming and gymnastics. Myrt married Tom Power on August 26, 1961, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, and they later moved to Baltimore before returning to Virginia in 1969 to establish their first business.

Beyond her business endeavors, Myrt volunteered with numerous community organizations, such as Hospice House of Williamsburg and the Williamsburg Community Foundation. She is survived by her brother Thomas Roland Edwards, her three children—Mary Ellen Power, Cathy Power Pattisall, and Thomas Power—and six grandchildren.

A celebration of Myrt’s life will occur on August 4, 2025, at 3 PM at The Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham in Williamsburg. The family invites contributions in her memory to local charities including Hospice House of Williamsburg and Child Development Resources, reflecting her enduring commitment to community service and support.