The bustling Williamsburg culinary scene reflects community spirit.
Mary Ellen “Myrt” Edwards Power, a notable figure in the Williamsburg restaurant scene and co-founder of The Cheese Shop, has passed away at the age of 85. Known for her contributions to local dining and her strong community ties, Myrt’s influence stretches across generations within her family and the culinary landscape of Virginia. She co-founded multiple successful restaurants and was deeply involved in community nonprofits. Myrt’s legacy will be celebrated by her family and the many lives she touched throughout her life.
Williamsburg, Virginia – Mary Ellen “Myrt” Edwards Power, a pioneering figure in the local restaurant scene and beloved community member, passed away on Sunday, June 15, due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease. She was 85 years old.
Myrt co-founded The Cheese Shop, which opened in 1971 alongside her husband, Tom Power, in the Warwick Shopping Center, Newport News. The establishment played a pivotal role in the culinary landscape of Williamsburg, becoming the first retail business in Virginia to obtain an ABC license for selling wine. Following its success, a second location of The Cheese Shop was launched in Williamsburg in 1973.
In 1980, Myrt and Tom expanded their endeavors by partnering with John Curtis and Marcel Desaulniers to launch The Trellis Bar & Grill, recognized as Virginia’s first New American dining restaurant. After selling their interest in The Trellis in 1994, the restaurant unfortunately closed in 2020. Myrt and Tom’s commitment to the culinary industry continued with the opening of Fat Canary and The Wine Cellar in 2003, as well as moving The Cheese Shop to a prominent location on Duke of Gloucester Street. Fat Canary has since been acknowledged annually as one of OpenTable’s Top 100 Best Restaurants in America and has received AAA’s Four Diamond awards.
Myrt was a well-rounded individual with a degree in physical education from Mary Washington College. She was a self-taught accountant and entrepreneur, demonstrating an exceptional aptitude for problem-solving and numbers. Throughout her career, she established significant financial practices within her family business that endure today.
Born on March 29, 1940, in Norfolk, Virginia, Myrt was the youngest of three children. She lost her father at the age of nine, a poignant event that colored her life. On June 15, 2023, Myrt’s death occurred on Father’s Day, 76 years after her father’s death. In 2017, she experienced another profound loss when her husband, Tom Power, tragically drowned in a swimming accident in Bermuda. This event is believed to have triggered her battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Myrt was not only a strong businesswoman but also a dedicated mother and community member. She shared three children with Tom: Mary Ellen, Cathy, and Thomas, all of whom contributed to the family business during their upbringing. Today, Mary Ellen and Thomas actively manage and own The Cheese Shop, while Thomas has also taken on ownership of Fat Canary and The Wine Cellar. Myrt consistently prioritized family time, organizing family days and vacations, ensuring that family bonds remained strong despite their busy lives.
As she navigated her Alzheimer’s diagnosis, Myrt faced additional health challenges, including a broken hip shortly before her passing. The family deliberated on the necessity of surgery under the circumstances. In her final days, Myrt was surrounded by her family, receiving medication for comfort as she faded into deep sleep, spending her last moments with her children by her side.
Known for her warm relationships, Myrt treated employees as family and was often seen as a second mother by many. Beyond her business ventures, she actively participated in community nonprofits, including Hospice House of Williamsburg and the Williamsburg Community Foundation, demonstrating her commitment to the community.
A celebration of life for Myrt Edwards Power is scheduled for August 4, 2025, at The Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham in Williamsburg. As her legacy continues through her contributions to the restaurant industry and the community, Myrt Edwards Power will be remembered fondly by those who knew her.
Remembering Myrt Power, Co-founder of The Cheese Shop
Beloved Founder of The Cheese Shop Passes Away
News Summary The Williamsburg City Council has given the green light for Slick City Action…
News Summary An anthropology class at the College of William & Mary has revived connections…
News Summary The Golden Horseshoe Golf Club in Colonial Williamsburg has unveiled 'The Shoe,' a…
News Summary In Williamsburg, Virginia, 13-year-old Constiana Johnson has been crowned Junior Miss Juneteenth Virginia,…
News Summary Documentary filmmaker Ken Burns will unveil excerpts from his series 'The American Revolution'…
News Summary The Baeplex After-School Program in Williamsburg provides children aged 5 to 12 with…