Gloucester’s Economic Development office has announced quite a few new businesses that have opened recently, or are under construction in the county, signifying that the county’s economy remains strong, a release from the Gloucester Community Engagement and Public Information Office stated.

According to Sherry Spring, Gloucester’s Economic Development Director, the following businesses are under construction:

—Land and Coates, an outdoor power equipment store, will move from Hayes to a new location just south of the Gloucester Business Park, and has a projected opening date of March 2023.

—The shops in front of the Hampton Inn will include a Chipotle restaurant, Aspen Dental office, and a T-Mobile store. The new tenants would like to be open before the end of this year.

—Renovations on the new Sweet Tooth Café on Main Street are almost complete. The restaurant is moving into a larger space on the opposite side of Main Street.

The following businesses are in the planning stages:

—A new Valvoline Instant Oil Change is being planned at Fox Mill Center.

—Langley Federal Credit Union finalized the purchase of the lot across Route 17 from the Gloucester Business Park.

—The former SunTrust Bank building on Main Street has been purchased and an event venue is being planned by the new owner.
The following restaurants either have recently opened or will be opening their doors soon:

—Slammin Sammy’s Diner has opened in the former Pizza Hut building at Gloucester Point. The new owner has completed renovations to the interior and exterior of the building.

—Gloucester Pancake House recently opened in the former Sutton’s Restaurant building off Main Street.

—Fiorello’s Italian Restaurant is locating in the former Wild Horse Café location at White Marsh Shopping Center.

“This is all good news, and I’m so pleased to report all the activity going on in our business community,” Spring said. “Gloucester’s unemployment rate is declining, and our businesses are flourishing. It’s a testimony to the diligence of our local business owners and entrepreneurs.”

For more information about economic development in Gloucester and resources for current or prospective businesses, visit www.gloucesterva.info/1367/Economic-Development, call 804-693-1415 or e-mail sspring@gloucesterva.info.