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‘We Are Tourism’ drives Williamsburg’s economy

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WILLIAMSBURG, VA—With a constant stream of visitors, students, residents and retirees mingling amongst the living history implanted in Williamsburg, one does not have to think twice about how the city makes their money. Colonial Williamsburg and William and Mary are the two big institutions in the city itself with other events including Williamsburg Live, Ampersand International Arts Festival, Grand Illumination and more big events like these that are large drivers of tourism in the City of Williamsburg, said Joanna Skrabala, tourism development director. 

“The best answer for [how tourism affects the local economy] and the simplest answer is tax dollars,” said Skrabala. “We are tourism.”

Sammy Pietrinferno

“Because tourism is such a big part of the community, we have a massive amount of jobs that are a part of the tourism industry,” said Skrabala. 

According to the Economic Development Department of the City of Williamsburg, “the majority of the 700 business establishments within the City either fall into the retail trade or accommodation/food services category, which cater to the 6-8 million annual area visitors.”

“We are neighbors to William and Mary so [the school] keeps us pretty steady throughout the year,” said Kelly Williams, front of house manager at DoG Street Pub. “… those short weekends during the holidays where it kind of quiets out gives us a moment to actually breathe because once school goes into full effect and the weekends and the weather gets even better…fall really just opens right up.”

DoG Street Pub located on the corner of Duke of Gloucester Street and South Henry Street in Downtown Williamsburg.The restaurant embraces the city’s culture of living history as it operates in an old 1900’s bank.

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Amanda Wilbourne, owner of the Nautical Dog: A photo story

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Amanda Wilbourne, owner of The Nautical Dog, poses with Twinkie, a 12-week old kitten up for adoption at the Cat Cove. The Nautical Dog is located at 5102 Main St Suite B at New Town Commercial Association in Williamsburg, VA. It encompasses three storefronts including: the Local Pet Market, Schwartzy’s Cat Cove and the Dog Wash.Schwartzy’s Cat Cove- Nautical Dog’s First Mate, the official name of the Cat Cove, is named after Nautical Dog’s first shop cat. “Schwartzy won everyone over very quickly and would spend his days sitting behind the counter on a stool greeting guests, judging them, and talking a lot.”Large windows and cutouts looking into Schwartzy’s Cat Cove allow passerbyers to stop and take a look at the adoptable cats.239 cats have been adopted out through the Cat Cove in correlation with Heritage Humane Society.16,000 visitors came to Nautical Dog’s Cat Cove this year to see cute cat faces like this one peering down on them. All cats in Schwartzy’s Cat Cove are available for adoption through Heritage Humane Society; these two calico siblings are a bonded pair and are required to be adopted together.Sammy, the orange tabby, takes a snooze on the moon shaped wall mount.

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Custis Square Archeological Dig On Its Final Year of Excavation

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Custis Square archeological dig site is located on the corner of South Nassau Street and Francis Street.Working alongside John Custis’ previously discovered house, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Department of Archeology is onto its fourth year of investigating Custis’ gardens. Under three tents, participants in the Public Archeology Institute help field techs sift through shovel test pits for changes in soil and artifacts. 50cm x 50cm shovel test pits are samples in which field techs figure out where they want to dig next and learn more about the soil. Two high schoolers work side by side in a sifting screen with samples pulled from a shovel test pit. Meghan, the project archeologist, is in charge of the site on a day-to-day basis.According to Jennifer Mcgee, “The changes of color in these piles of soil represent different periods in time and different types of soil, which help archaeologists date when artifacts may have been made.”Participants in the Public Archeology Institute get a taste of an archeological field tech’s life as they work on their hands and knees sifting through shovel test pits.

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Pack Walk Club struts through New Town on Sundays

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The Nautical Dog located in New Town Commercial Association houses a pet market, dog wash and cat cove. The cat cove and dog wash are located adjacent to the main store front with windows and peep holes to see the multitude of cats up for adoption and plenty of room to bring in your furry friends, no appointment needed. Loughan Campbell holds up her Pack Walk Club punch card that each walker has to earn treats and benefits at the Nautical Dog.Gin, the 3-year-old Labrador Retriever, sits patiently looking at her owner, Loughan Campbell, ready to start Pack Walk Club.Families stopped outside the storefront to pet the growing number of dogs ready for their morning walk.At 10:30 a.m., the weekly Pack Walk Club commenced as owners and their beloved dogs took off on Main Street headed towards Center Street.Roughly half way through the walk, friendly neighbors and one of the walkers himself left out many choices of water bowls for the thirsty canines. Whether it be a quick stop, or a water or potty break, the walk is completely at you and your dog’s pace. Energized dogs of all sizes took a pause in the shade as the summer heat came rolling in; although, that will not stop the Pack Walk Club from meeting.Frankie, the 4-year-old rescue, and his new pal head back up to the streets of New Town from the shaded gravel paths of Charlotte Park.

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DoG barking with visitors every Saturday for the Williamsburg Farmers Market

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Visitors roam around the 60+ vendors making up the 2023 Williamsburg Farmers Market hosted on Duke of Gloucester Street every Saturday. Tracy Frey, manager of the Williamsburg Farmers Market, poses with her rescued porcupine at the market information booth.At the market information booth located at the top of Duke of Gloucester Street, Tracy Frey, market manager, introduces her rescued porcupine to any intrigued community member. A line of customers form in front of Agriberry Farm’s booth, a fruits only producing farm, bringing fresh produce from Hanover County. Virginia Bread Company had a non-stop flow of customers practically selling out of inventory before 10 a.m..Timothy Seaman, compelling acoustic musician, serenaded the market on June 3rd, while playing his hammered dulcimer.Gift of Nature employees stand behind their weekly booth. The farm sprouted in 2001 and is a family business that sells flowers and plants grown on their three-acre property in York County.Visitors inspect plants for sale by Cachalot Farm on June 3.Even bunnies make their way down to the Williamsburg Farmers Market every Saturday.