The City of Williamsburg Economic Development Authority (EDA) voted unanimously at its meeting March 10, 2021 to award incentive grants to two new restaurants that plan to open this summer.
Another Broken Egg Cafe will open at 1412 Richmond Road, and a salad concept restaurant will open in downtown Williamsburg. The awarded incentives grant a percentage of the taxes the restaurants pay to the city over a three-year period, which is a revenue sharing agreement that is performance-based.
“These incentives are a win-win because they draw new businesses and new revenue to the city, and the businesses earn back some of the taxes paid based on their own success,” said Rick Overy, EDA Chairman. “It’s important to remember that the City retains a percentage of the taxes, which is new revenue the City would not have collected without these restaurants opening here.”
Another Broken Egg Cafe
The revenue sharing incentive for Another Broken Egg Café is capped at $99,000 and will be used for exterior improvements to modernize the building. Today the company has more than 70 cafes located in 13 states and is continuing to grow in new and existing markets across the United States.
The Williamsburg location will be the first in Virginia. Local Williamsburg businessman Demetrios Florakis will own the café and is purchasing the franchise rights from Virginia Beach to Fredericksburg to open more locations. The Williamsburg location will headquarter all Virginia back office staff at 1006 Richmond Road. Additionally, the Williamsburg location will be used as the South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware training facility for café management.
“I am thrilled that Another Broken Egg Café has decided to open its first Virginia location here in Williamsburg,” said Council Member Barbara Ramsey, who is the City Council liaison to the EDA. “Not only will it be a fantastic addition to the offerings on Richmond Road but, as the Virginia headquarters and regional training facility, it will continually bring members of their management staff to the area.”
Salad Concept Restaurant
This revenue-sharing incentive for the salad concept restaurant is capped at $40,000 and will be used to construct outdoor dining at the restaurant.
Current trends indicate that customers desire outdoor dining, and including that amenity will increase the restaurant’s seating capacity by 50%. April Coleman will own and operate the restaurant. She is familiar with quick-service, healthy option restaurants and looks forward to bringing this dining option to Williamsburg.
“As part of our recruitment efforts we look at trends and what is missing in the Williamsburg market,” said Michele Mixner DeWitt, Economic Development Director for the City. “We identified the need for a salad concept and are delighted that one will be joining the Williamsburg culinary scene.”
The name of the restaurant cannot be disclosed publicly yet because of non-disclosure agreements.
The EDA will award the revenue grants for the salad concept restaurant and Another Broken Egg Café over time, after the businesses pay local sales and meals tax. The incentive grant is capped at $40,000 for the salad concept and $99,000 for Another Broken Egg Café. The local sales and meals tax return on investment to the City for the first five years of the restaurants’ operations is estimated at more than $850,000.
MEDIA CONTACT
Nicole Trifone, public information officer
757-220-6197 (Office) or 757-707-0478 (Cell)
ntrifone@williamsburgva.gov