News Summary
The Williamsburg Area Restaurant Association, in collaboration with Chesapeake Bank, is now offering gift certificates for local restaurants available at select bank branches. The initiative encourages community support for over 100 local dining establishments, providing gift options of $10 and $25. Rachel Sears of WARA emphasized the program’s importance for retail support as concerns about a proposed meal tax increase arise. As winter Restaurant Weeks begin in the area, these efforts highlight the ongoing commitment to bolster the local dining scene amidst economic challenges.
Williamsburg – The Williamsburg Area Restaurant Association (WARA) has teamed up with Chesapeake Bank to offer local restaurant gift certificates, which are now available for purchase starting this month. The Chesapeake Bank branches located in Lightfoot, Lafayette, and Five Forks will act as official sales locations for these gift certificates, providing an easy means for residents and visitors to support local dining establishments.
The initiative is designed to enhance convenience and access for the community in efforts to boost local restaurant patronage. WARA gift certificates can be used at over 100 locally owned restaurants throughout the greater Williamsburg area, making them an attractive option for diners looking to explore the local culinary scene. The gift certificates come in denominations of $10 and $25, appealing to a variety of customers.
Rachel Sears, Executive Director of WARA, conveyed that this partnership marks a significant gesture of support for the local restaurant community. Meanwhile, Lauren Woodfin, Business Relation Officer at Chesapeake Bank and a WARA board member, noted the simplicity of the process, enabling easier support for local businesses through the purchase of the WARA gift certificates. For those seeking more information about WARA and a full list of participating restaurants, details can be found at wara757.com.
In addition to the launch of gift certificates, several cities, including Williamsburg, are celebrating their winter Restaurant Weeks this month. The Williamsburg Area Restaurant Association is hosting its own Restaurant Week featuring a diverse range of meal deals from over two dozen participating restaurants. This event provides patrons with an opportunity to enjoy discounted dining experiences during the winter season.
Notably, Newport News will kick off its restaurant week from January 12 to January 26, featuring a combination of chain and local dining options. Similarly, Norfolk’s restaurant week starts on January 13, running for one week with various establishments offering special deals. Virginia Beach is also joining in on the celebration, marking its 20th Restaurant Week from January 20 to January 26, which will involve over 50 restaurants and a “Dine and Stay” event in coordination with local hotels.
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Additional Resources
- WYDaily: Williamsburg Area Restaurant Week Returns Jan 12
- Wikipedia: Williamsburg, Virginia
- WAVY News: Williamsburg Restaurant Week to Return Jan 12-19
- Google Search: Williamsburg restaurant news
- WTKR: Restaurant Weeks Coming Up in Virginia
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Virginia
- Pilot Online: Williamsburg Restaurant Owners Gather to Share Memories
- Google News: Williamsburg Restaurant Week
Author: STAFF HERE WILLIAMSBURG WRITER
WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER The WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREWilliamsburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Williamsburg, James City County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Williamsburg Farmers Market, Yorktown Market Days, and Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, plus leading businesses in education and hospitality that power the local economy such as College of William & Mary, The Williamsburg Winery, and Sodexo. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREVirginiaBeach.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Virginia's dynamic landscape.
