Land deal brewing near site of York beer hall brouhaha
Plus, York poised to impose admissions tax while county schools make case for dedicated sales tax; James City and Busch Gardens battle over property tax bills
York County’s Economic Development Authority approved a resolution at its July 28, 2026 meeting to purchase several lots just down the street from another site that attracted quite a bit of attention for the county in the past. A county spokesperson confirmed the approval, noting that there is no specific project associated with the property at this time. The two parcels, located at 7214 and 7216 in Yorktown along Route 17, are listed for sale at $395,000. Together they total 0.87 acres and are zoned General Business, which the listing states allows for a wide range of commercial uses. Sellers tout the site’s road frontage on George Washington Memorial Highway, which is described as providing strong visibility and access for prospective buyers.
The potential property purchase reflects the county’s long-standing interest in redeveloping that particular stretch of road. The two adjacent properties, north of Grafton on Route 17, are just a few addresses down from The Kitchen by Virginia Beer Company, which opened in February 2026 in a building originally built for another brewer. That building sits on a 1.2-acre site that the EDA acquired in 2017 and ultimately sold to Waukeshaw Development, which controls the Beale’s beer brand, in 2018 for $400,000, as reported in 2024 by Ben Swenson in the Virginia Gazette. The company broke ground for the facility in late 2020.
But that project stalled when its owners had to step away due to unforeseen circumstances. The company’s management posted an update at the time apologizing to those who had reached out during the long silence and explaining they wouldn’t be able to say more at the time “for reasons too complicated to explain over social media.” Waukeshaw still owns the building but rented it to The Virginia Beer Company instead, though it’s unclear how the original terms with Waukeshaw were ultimately resolved.
The EDA has continued to invest in the project since Virginia Beer Company took over the space. At its July 22, 2025 meeting, the board approved a $100,000 Economic Development Incentive Grant for an exterior build-out, funding a retaining wall and expanded outdoor seating that added 100 seats, bringing the location’s total capacity to 225. That full project, including both interior and exterior work, was expected to cost $690,000, with the exterior build-out alone estimated at $350,000.
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In other news:
York’s new admissions tax could generate $900K-$1.8M annually. Board reviewed tax classifications, an implementation timeline, and rates in nearby localities.
York Schools admin details mounting facility needs ahead of sales tax referendum; $117M planned over six years to address aging schools and enrollment growth.
Busch Gardens’ tax battle continues with James City County. Plus: profits decline for theme park’s owner; W&M’s new AI ethics minor and dining changes; tools for local writers, and Labor Day park events
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