Columbus Village has been a staple of Virginia Beach for as long as I can remember. What began as a…read morelarge shopping center preceded Town Center but today carries it as a part of its name. The mix of businesses has changed a lot over the years. The one constant has always been Barnes & Noble. My son, then in middle school, loved to go to B&N for computer programming books and the adjacency huge Record & CD store. It was a different day & age for music. I loved the Schlotzky's located with several other businesses on an out parcel. That area was demolished and now is the location of Shake Shack. Bed, Bath and Beyond was a favorite shopping spot. Following the demise of the chain, the building stood empty for a time. There were lots of rumors of businesses planning to occupy the space. Finally a dream came true. A new Trader Joe's just opened in a portion of the space. It's much larger than their Hilltop Store and the location is so convenient. Next to that is a new Golf Galaxy. In a nearby out parcel stands a restaurant that appears completed but not yet occupied. Another staple over the years occupies the north end of Columbus Village. Regal Columbus Cinema stands watch facing north. Thank you for continuing to provide convenient movie theaters to the Town Center area. Parking is plentiful in the shopping area that's now become a part of Town Center. It's clean, well lit & even provides parking for other Town Center shops & restaurants should one not want to park in one of the multi story city garages. The location is the southeast corner of the intersection of Constitution & Virginia Beach Boulevard. Thank you Columbus Village for your decades of shopping convenience & your evolution over time to meet the needs of each succeeding generation.

Independent Plaza is a shopping strip likely dating to roughly mid to late 70's. The location is on…read morethe corner of Haygood & Independence. The cool factor is the barrel tile roof. I've had a few businesses that I frequented over the years in plaza. Years ago I was a regular at Subway that's still there. Also a dance studio that may still be there. Most recently a very regular at Colattao Coffee. Parking is typically adequate, but at times challenging with coffee lovers on the weekend. Most visits I find the lot to be overall clean. A 3 stars seems fitting for this dated shopping strip.

The room has a great view…read more There is no exhaust fan or air conditioner duct in the bathroom. The closet is in the bathroom. The bathroom door is glass so when you use it in the night, it lights up the bedroom. The closet cannot hang a dress, it's too short. There are no drawers for clothes in the room There is a refrigerator in the room. Very convenient. The bartender didn't offer me a happy hour wine during happy hour when I order a glass of wine. The service in the breakfast area was spectacular this morning. The real scrambled eggs were fair. The ballroom was absolute freezing, even though we asked several times if they could give us a little heat and turn down the air-conditioning.

The Market is the gift shop located inside The Marriott Waterside Hotel. I had forgotten a few…read morethings on my trip and was able to stop in here and replenish my supply. They also sell sunglasses, t-shirts, pashminas, postcards, etc here. The staff here are helpful and friendly. Prices are reasonable but can be on the high side since its located in the hotel for your convenience. I was lazy and decided to pay for the convenience.

Sadly this once really good shopping strip has taken a nose dive in the past two years. Blame it on…read moreanchor Farm Fresh moving out in 2018 leaving a major gaping hole. The strip is located conveniently on Virginia Beach Blvd across from the Virginia Beach main library. Collins use to be know for elaborate Christmas decorations by the road, I did not see them this year. There are two entry points on each side. Parking is more than plentiful with many lots of vacancies. The lot was clean. I needed to drop off a package to UPS which is in the center. The sidewalks were clean. Other nearby stores like Game Stop were dead on a Saturday afternoon. The main anchor is Jerry's Artarama and Navy Federal Credit Union with others sprinkled in. They took out the ATM for Navy FCU in the lot. A plus is a newer VB City Treasure Office. Also not sure if it's part of Collins but a Chilli's restaurant is located in their parking lot that's a draw. The bones are very good, bringing back tenants is the key for leasing agent Collins. It appears there was activity around the old Farm Fresh space, so I'm hopeful. 2.5 rounding down.

Small strip mall in downtown Thalia neighborhood. It's not a shopping mall but an area to do…read morepersonal errands for personal needs. There's a credit union, fitness place and snack eateries

It was a nostalgia trip. This had been my "go to" lunch spot for many years. I was surprised that…read morethe shopping center that had been thriving before Covid had empty store fronts. Whitner's Barbecue of Guy Fiori's Food Network "Diners, Dives & Drive Ins" fame must have been a Pandemic casualty. In its place is the well reviewed Alohahola. Snakes & Lattes appeared to be closed. Their Website indicates "temporarily closed for remodeling". But I saw no construction activity. Panera Bread is gone leaving an empty storefront. The large Rite Aid built on an out parcel is closed. It's sad since I remember when it was built, providing a walking distance drug store during the work day. Remaining are the familiar Mo's, ABC Store & Sushi/Hibachi buffet among others. Being one who doesn't like change my nostalgic trip wasn't a positive one. But there were many Pandemic casualties. So I shouldn't have been surprised.

Parkway Plaza is an older shopping strip, but it's also well maintained…read more Located off South Lynnhaven Parkway. The sign is large enough, but sits back. The strip is known for its barrel tile. If I'm using Parkway it's for an out business Chick Fil A that sits directly off the road. I'm usually there a few times a year, it's not my usual store. I'm not a fan of the small parking lot layout. Good strip that's clean and only hitch could be parking which is a bit limited.

Hilltop Marketplace is located in a strategic spot on the northwest corner of the intersection of…read moreFirst Colonial & Laskin Roads. Who could ask for a better spot than close proximity to the doctor/hospital corridor of First Colonial and the Laskin Road shopping corridor. The only negative to the location is the traffic congestion at certain times of day and the crazy Laskin feeder roads, which should eventually become a thing of the past. Anchoring the marketplace, in the space previously occupied by a major office supply store, is Total Wine. The store is literally a wine and beer superstore. Be prepared to be overwhelmed upon stepping in for the first time. The out parcels consist of a litany of fast food restaurants that can quickly curb your hunger after a longer than expected expected doctor appointment. I mourn the loss of Schlotszky's, which had been my favorite. My replacement fast food favorite at the marketplace is Chick-fil-A. You'll also find others. Panera Bread has moved to a stand alone location in the midst of the parking lot, which allowed other stores to move in. The shopping center itself has many other quick and dining in eating establishments, including Moe's and Arby's. At the First Colonial Road end is a French Restaurant, which I haven't yet tried. There's a Pet Store, PetValue that I don't recognize as having other stores in the area. Find Pure Barre, Pearl Vision, New Balance, Langley's Credit Union, Michael's, LabCorp, FedEx, several boutiques, a cupcake store and much more. From First Colonial the easiest entrance is to turn on Republic Road then into the large parking lot. There is also an entrance from the feeder lane on Laskin Road and an entrance on First Colonial. Marketplace at Hilltop is a very well placed and useful shopping choice.

Marketplace at Hilltop is not only one of my favorites off Laskin, it's my favorite in Virginia…read moreBeach. There are several stores I frequent weekly. The signage updated the last few years. The shopping center was developed in the mid 90's and completion occurred in 1997. The strip with out lying businesses on the corner of Laskin and First Colonial is quite expansive. Parking is plentiful and the lot has newer blacktop and striping. Debris is typically scarce as the leasing agent Venture does a fantastic job. Landscape is high quality and maintained weekly. The Laskin side recently had construction and new grass is being seeded. Signage is on both Laskin, which is considered the main entrance and Republic. There are dozens of businesses with anchors Total Wine and Michaels are the largest. Panera, Langley FCU and Le Yaca are also large square footage wise. Perimeter anchors off the road are Sun Trust Bank on the corner, Chick Fil A and Chipotle. A former Jason's Deli has been vacant for months and awaits a new tenant. The stores I like and frequent the most are Total Wine, Chick Fil A and Le Yaca. Panera can now be included with a new store and drive-thru service. A very popular store that I've never been in is Orange Theory. I constantly see foot traffic in and out. Also Moe's Southwest Grill is busy. I can't hide my excitement for this well maintained shopping center. It has stores I love and a location that's just minutes from the Oceanfront. I will continue to enjoy shopping and eating at Hilltop Marketplace businesses.

This is probably a lot of people's Saturday 1-stop shopping dream. However, it's usually always…read morepacked and no one seems to know how to drive in the parking lot, which is very frustrating.... VA drivers are the worst. Anyways, there's a 5-Below, Phoenix studios (self care), Tj maxx, Ross, Home goods, Trader Joe's (my fave), total wine, Sephora (FINALLY), Sally's, old navy, pop shelf, kohls with Sephora (make it make sense) and an aldi... I'm sure that I'm missing a ton of other stores. But, the point is that there's definitely options.

What is there not to like about Jefferson Commons!? I could spend all day here, it's terrible for…read moremy wallet and bank account... Shopping? For starters; TJ Maxx (great deals!), Kirklands, Trader Joe's, Ross, Old Navy, Kohl's, Aldi, Total Wine, GameStop, and then some... plenty of places to choose from. Dining? There's a few options here, from Panera Bread, Starbucks, Moe's, Pho 79, a couple of other restaurants and a coffee shop tucked all the way in the corner called the Honeybaked Ham Company. Parking? Plenty of it. If you don't find a spot, I'd be very surprised. Yes, you may have to walk some - walking never hurt nobody...right? All in all, a great place to shop or walk around browsing (try not to buy anything, I dare you!) and they don't put an extra tax on top of products like they do down in colosseum crossing.

College Park Square Shopping Center was a convenient location to stop following my service…read moreappointment at the Kia dealership in Greenbrier. The strip center is one that appears to be on the decline. It's anchored by a Food Lion, Roses Department Store and a large empty space between the two. Theres a neighborhood mix of stores which include auto parts, fast food, ramen, pizza, comfort & soul food, wireless, goodwill and a tax service. An out parcel space holds a Long John Silver's fast food restaurant. Another appears to have been torn down. Footprints of a building remain. A Wells Fargo Bank occupies the remaining out parcel. Parking is plentiful with handicapped parking spaces near the store where I shopped. The location is on S Military Highway just south of the Providence Road intersection. I'll stop again if I'm in the area again and need to pick up a few grocery items.