Virginia eatery expanding in Hampton Roads

A Virginia Beach-based cafe and food shop is adding an extra helping to the Hampton Roads dining scene.

Taste, which bills itself as a specialty foods market and upscale café, has leased a 4,600-square-foot storefront at the corner of Commerce and Market streets as part of the Town Center of Virginia Beach. Plans call for the Virginia Beach-based company to open what will be its 10th location before the end of this year.

Taste was founded in 1973 by Peter Coe. It has locations in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Newport News, Norfolk and Richmond. Taste locations are part shop and part eatery. Taste sells made-to-order salads, sandwiches and soups, along with prepared and packaged foods, wine and craft beer and gift items. The company does catering as well.

Town Center of Virginia Beach is a mixed-use development comprising 17 city blocks and about 36 acres. Its retail tenants include REI, Nordstrom Rack and The Fresh Market. Town Center is also home to office, multifamily and hotel space.

The development of Town Center of Virginia Beach began in 2000 as a public-private partnership between the City of Virginia Beach and Virginia Beach-based Armada Hoffler Properties. Divaris Real Estate handles leasing for the property.