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- The section of Fredericksburg’s Eagle Village shopping center that was severely damaged in a December fire is being rebuilt. Businesses coming or returning to that section when it re-opens next year include the Clean Town Inc. Laundromat, the U.S. Post Office, Any Lab Test Now, and Lee’s Cleaners. Additional space is available in that section.
- The Play It Again Sports that was in that section will not re-open, former store owner Michael Donohue said. He said if someone wanted to re-open that store he or she would need to be a new franchisee, and he said the startup investment would be close to $300,000.
- Any Lab Test Now and Lee’s Cleaners are both relocating from the newer, mixed-use building in Eagle Village that is now owned by the University of Mary Washington (UMW). Other tenants have also left that building, which is now home to UMW’s Police Department. UMW Executive Director of University Communications Amy Jessee said in an email: “As leases are completed and spaces become available in the Eagle Village Executive Offices and in retail spaces through the mixed-use building, UMW will utilize spaces in the building for additional university partnerships and for programmatic spaces. For example, we’ll need swing space when we renovate the fine arts buildings, and we are exploring space options for additional healthcare program offerings.”
- Flavor Food and Chunky Cup are going into the building at the front of the Eagle Village shopping center that also includes a Crimson Coward location.
- There were 69 homes sold this past week in the Fredericksburg area, according to the weekly sales list from the Fredericksburg Area Association of Realtors (FAAR). Check back weekly for the new list.
- Median area housing prices rebounded in October after decreasing year-over-year in September, according to FAAR data released Wednesday. Median prices were up more than 3 percent in October, coming in at $469,900. Stafford County as usual led the region with a median sales price of $525,000.
- Commenting on the October housing data, FAAR Board of Directors member Michelle Caldwell Thompson said: “Optimism may return to the market this fall as we anticipate the federal government’s full reopening. The temporary pause in activity created a bit of pent-up demand, especially among buyers who were waiting on the sidelines for stability and clarity. We’re beginning to see renewed inquiries, increased showing activity, and a lift in consumer confidence. Sellers who remain realistic on pricing are benefiting from motivated buyers eager to take advantage of easing rates and expanded inventory. As these buyers re-engage, the next few weeks could bring a steady and encouraging close to the year — a positive sign of momentum returning to the Greater Fredericksburg market.”
- Here are the locality-by-locality housing data for October:
- The Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Fredericksburg is the subject of this week’s Biz Beat Clips video.
- John Nicholls, president of Nicholls Auction Marketing Group, is the guest on this week’s edition of the Biz Beat Banter podcast.
- The Barking Barley will open its Fredericksburg dog-friendly bar on Dec. 10, the business announced this week on social media. It will be at 1515 Olde William St.
- Sugar + Spruce will close its Caroline Street store in downtown Fredericksburg at the end of the year and move its retail operations online, the company announced last week on Facebook. The company will have a warehouse just north of Richmond with a dedicated workshop and special-event space.
- The King George Board of Supervisors last week approved a special exception permit for the Caledon Solar Project, which is being built on about 122 acres at 12181 Caledon Road that’s owned by King George County attorney and state Sen. Richard Stuart (R-Westmoreland).
- Giant Food last week announced the “grand reopening” of its grocery store at 550 Celebrate Virginia Parkway in Stafford, which now features a Ledo Pizza shop.
- Vantage Data Centers and Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin last week announced that Vantage will invest $2 billion in a Stafford data center project that will create 50 permanent jobs. The complex will include three data center buildings totaling 929,000 square feet on 83 acres at the northeast corner of the intersection of Centreport Parkway and Mountain View Road. The first building is scheduled to open in late 2027. It’s among numerous data center projects in the works in Stafford and throughout the region.
- JuiceBox & Confetti, a business that will offer “immersive pop-up playdate experiences for families,” has leased the 2,125-square-foot first-floor space at 915 Sophia St. in downtown Fredericksburg from Jarrell Properties Inc. Kendra Campbell is the founder and creative director of JuiceBox & Confetti.
- Stafford Deputy County Administrator Donna Krauss recently completed the Virginia Women’s Municipal Leadership Institute, a professional education program developed by Virginia Women Leading Government.
- Mary Washington Hospice raised almost $32,000 through its recent annual “Light Up a Life” illumination event in the Mary Washington Hospital atrium. The gathering allowed community members to purchase luminaries in their loved ones’ memory. Proceeds will benefit Mary Washington Hospice and Grief Support Services.
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Burg Charcuterie plans to open later this year at 703 Caroline St. in downtown Fredericksburg (which is also home to Whitby’s; Burg Charcuterie will be in the lower-level space). Renovations are currently under way, and the business is shooting for a “speakeasy kind of vibe,” a wine and cheese garden, and indoor-outdoor seating.
- The remodeled Dunkin’ and Baskin-Robbins at 305 Garrisonville Road in North Stafford recently held a grand re-opening celebration.
- The newly constructed DQ Grill & Chill at 51 Civilian St. along U.S. 17 in Stafford recently opened.
Biz Beat Roundup runs every Wednesday and includes a roundup of business news from around the Fredericksburg region. Send submissions to: bill.freehling@fredericksburgfreepress.com
