Yummy Goodness to Expand in Virginia Beach
May 19, 2015
Yummy Goodness is a small, woman-owned catering company that opened in 2012. It specializes in private and corporate catering that emphasizes local foods. The company has experienced tremendous growth that requires an expansion of its current location at 317 Village Road, Suite 109.Yummy Goodness expanded its leased space from 1,350 square feet to 2,125 square feet and has extended the lease for an additional five years. The company is also is adding a community kitchen that can be rented by other small culinary businesses.The expansion and renovations to the space will be completed this May. The company has received its second APZ-1 Economic Development Investment Program grant from the Virginia Beach Development Authority in the amount of $25,000 based on the capital investment for this expansion of $414,000.“Yummy Goodness obviously has the recipe for success,” said Warren D. Harris, director of Virginia Beach Economic Development.” They have created a loyal following and are now offering a catering kitchen so other local start-up businesses can have opportunities to learn and grow their businesses.”In 2012, Virginia Beach Economic Development Authority made a grant award in the amount of $10,000 for the company’s capital investment of $100,000 and its first five-year lease. Lori Verity, co-owner, is a classically trained chef with certification from Johnson and Wales University and a bachelors degree from Ohio State University. Kelly McMoran, co-owner, is a chef by trade. She was born and raised in Norfolk and Virginia Beach.The mission of the Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development is to attract and retain national and international businesses to stimulate capital investment and create jobs. Virginia Beach is the most populous city in Virginia with a population of 440,000, and it is the 37th largest in the United States. It is recognized as one of the Best Run Cities in America by 24/7 Wall St. The Department of Economic Development received re-accreditation through the International Economic Development Council in 2012 and is one of only 29 economic development organizations in the world to have this recognition. It is listed among the Top Five Overall Mid-sized American Cities of the Future, Top 10 for Economic Potential and Top Five for Infrastructure by fDi magazine. CNNMoney.com ranked Virginia Beach as the Easiest Place to Start a Business and the 2nd Most Business-Friendly City in the country. For more information, visit www.yesvirginiabeach.com.
