Coliseum Central Annual Meeting
The Coliseum Central Annual Meeting will take place Tuesday, February 25 from 8:30-10:30AM at the Hampton Roads Convention Center. Jenny Crittenden, President & CEO of Retail Alliance, will serve as the keynote speaker and discuss retail trends. The meeting will also include messages from the Mayor Jimmy Gray, Police Chief Jimmie Wideman as well as an awards ceremony highlighting the “Best of” Coliseum Central businesses. If you work, conduct business, own property or have another vested interest in Coliseum Central, we encourage you to attend! This event is free and open to all members of the BID. Formal invitations will be mailed shortly. RSVP now at news.coliseumcentral.com/annual25.
Best of Coliseum Central
Coliseum Central wants to know who’s #1 in your book. Vote for the “Best of” Coliseum Central businesses at events.coliseumcentral.com/best-of by January 31. Winners will be announced at the Coliseum Central Annual Meeting held on February 25.
Best Customer Service: Luna Estelle Body Piercing Studio, sweetFrog, U Rock Art
Best Health & Wellness: Latitude Climbing & Fitness, Onelife Fitness, YMCA Health & Wellness Center
Best New Business: Luna Estelle Body Piercing Studio, sweetFrog
Best Shopping Center: Coliseum Crossing, Peninsula Town Center
Best Financial Institution: Bayport Credit Union, Langley Federal Credit Union, Navy Federal Credit Union
Best Kid-Friendly Business/Attraction: Marys Park, Sky Zone Trampoline Park
Best Restaurant: Chicken Salad Chick, Monsoon Eclectic Modern Indian, Panera, Park Lane Tavern
Best Social Media Presence: Luna Estelle Body Piercing Studio, U Rock Art
Best Vibe/Aesthetic: Luna Estelle Body Piercing Studio, sweetFrog, U Rock Art
Best Hotel: Element Hotel, Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn
Best Medical Practice/Facility: Sentara CarePlex Hospital, Sight 2 See Optometry
Best Retailer: JCPenney, Luna Estelle Body Piercing Studio, U Rock Art
Best SWaM Business: Luna Estelle Body Piercing Studio, U Rock Art
Events & Entertainment
Coastal Virginia Magazine Wine Fest
Get ready to raise your glass at the Coastal Virginia Magazine WineFest from January 18-19 at the Hampton Roads Convention Center. Guests can taste a delightful array of beverages including statewide wineries, cideries, distilleries, breweries, and mouthwatering local cuisine. Enjoy live entertainment by The Chris Sacks Band, Lewis McGee and Colonial DJs throughout the weekend. Additionally, you can explore and shop from a plethora of craft vendors.
Visit news.coliseumcentral.com/covawine for more information and to secure your tickets.
Hampton Comicon
The Hampton Comicon makes its grand return on February 22nd at the Hampton Roads Convention Center. This event promises a jam-packed day featuring special guests, comic creators, a vendor market, artist alley, cosplay and more!
For more information visit hamptoncomicon.com.
Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival
The Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival, the largest of its kind on the Eastern Seaboard, returns to the Hampton Roads Convention Center (1610 Coliseum Drive) February 24-March 3. Find everything for quilt, fiber, wearable, and textile artists and home sewers at The Merchants Mall. Attend workshops and lectures by leading instructors. And peruse the finest collection of quilt, garment, and fiber art exhibitions.
For more information, visit https://events.coliseumcentral.com/quilt-fest.
January 15th Welcome Hampton Roads B.A.S.H.
February 22nd Hampton Comicon
February 24th-March 3rd Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival
March 22 The Millennium Tour
March 23 We Them Ones Comedy Tour
Promote Your Event
Add your events to the Coliseum Central website calendar! Click here and complete the form with the details of your event. Once submitted, events will be published on the site calendar within one business day.
Announcements
Jersey Cards & Comics New Location
Jersey Cards & Comics has moved to a new and improved location in Todds Center. The 3,000 square foot shop is now located at 1816 Todds Lane, Suite E. Enhancements include: three times the space, more gaming tables, and expanded inventory including collectibles, games, and supplies, and an improved layout.
For more information, visit jerseyscc.com or call 757-825-0097.
Retail Alliance Women’s Retreat
Feeling overwhelmed by the daily grind? Sign up for Retail Alliance’s Retail Therapy Retreat taking place on February 2-3 at the Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg. This weekend-long event will allow you to to refocus your energy, recharge, and connect with like-minded women. The event includes: Keynote by Eva DeVirgilis TEDxWomen speaker, award-winning playwright, and advocate for women’s empowerment, a stay at the Kingsmill Resort, complimentary dinner, drinks, breakfast and lunch, insightful workshops, yoga, meditation, and mindfulness sessions.
Visit retailalliance.com/events/retail-therapy-2025 for more information and to register.
Upcoming Blood Drive
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church | February 2 9am-2pm | 2150 Cunningham Drive
To schedule an appointment please call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org.
Upcoming Meetings
January 16th — 9am | Marketing Committee
January 16th — 10:30am | Physical Improvements Committee
January 21st — 9am | Security Meetings
January 28th — 9am | Board of Directors
All Meetings are held in the BID office 2101 Executive Drive, Suite 550.
Development Updates
Lake Hampton Ribbon Cutting
Showcase your Business for FREE via Billboard
Coliseum Central is showcasing District businesses as part of our seasonal billboard campaigns. Each campaign will have a theme and will highlight businesses using fun taglines. The Fall & Winter campaigns included marketing highlighting area dining.
There is no cost to participate. Adams Outdoor Advertising will create the artwork and businesses will have final approval before it runs. Billboard campaigns will run for up to two weeks at three locations – two on I-64 at Rip Rap Road in Hampton (east-and westbound) and one on High Street in Portsmouth, reaching motorists heading to I-664.
Our next campaigns include Health & Fitness, Valentine’s Day and Spring events (spring break, spring cleaning, etc.). If your Coliseum Central Business fits any of these categories and you would like to participate, please visit https://news.coliseumcentral.com/billboard and:
- Upload logo in png format
- Upload a business photo, preferably showcasing the product or services you provide. If you do not have a business photo, we can assist with finding stock photography that represents your business.
Deadline to submit materials is January 27. If you have any questions, please contact Raymond Tripp at rtripp@coliseumcentral.com.