Wood

LAURA WOOD is co-founder and current President of the ViBe Creative District board. She is a local business leader with over 20 years experience in small business, tourism/hospitality, grassroots community development and engagement. In 2019, The VB Jaycees recognized Laura Wood with the prestigious First Citizen Award. Wood serves on a number of boards and committees: Old Beach Farmers Market (co-founder/ Vice President); Green Drinks Virginia Beach (founder); Business Alliance for Protecting the Atlantic Coast; (founding board member); Virginia MOCA (Board of Trustee); FBI Norfolk Citizens Academy Alumni Association; VA Beach Police Academy Alumni Association; and has served on numerous City of Virginia Beach committees including the Green Ribbon Committee, Health Services Board, the Resort Advisory Commission, the Mayor’s Offshore Wind Commission and IDEA’s commission for diversity and inclusivity. In addition, she’s a supporter of the Virginia Green Alliance, Hampton Roads Pride, Equality Virginia, Virginia Arts Festival, Lynnhaven River NOW and many others. In 2021,she received the Human Rights Award from the City of Virginia Beach’s Human Right Commission. In 2022, Wood was recognized by Virginia Business Magazine as one of the top 100 People to meet in 2023.

Why did you decide to work in the arts?

The arts found me at a very young age, which naturally influenced and enhanced my career and volunteer work. The arts taught me critical thinking among many otherworldly skill sets.

What is your favorite part of being an arts entrepreneur? Collaborating, creating and cross-pollinating with like minded artistic visionaries.

Tell us about a challenge you are proud that you have overcome.

Usually being told “No” and finding a strategic path to “Yes” all the while proving dissenters wrong and showing others positive ways to overcome.

What is one thing you do every day and why?

Drink Three Ships Coffee Espresso blend not only because of its carefully curated taste but there’s a sense of hometown pride supporting local businesses and craft makers which bolsters our local economy.

Who/what is your biggest inspiration?

Besides my two daughters being my biggest inspiration the next would be are our local artisans, musicians, farmers and small businesses in the ViBe and at the Old Beach Farmers Eco/Art Markets. Each has a unique story and together make our local creative ecosystem more vibrant, healthier and happier.

What is the best thing that has happened to you in your journey in the arts?

Being a part of something bigger than oneself. Especially as a cofounder of the ViBe and Old Beach Farmers Market for the authenticity, community and economic development return on investment to the city and its citizens.

What does being a part of the Virginia Beach community mean to you?

It’s humbling. In 2019 I was honored to receive the VA Beach Jaycees First Citizen Award. “My grandparents would be proud especially my grand-father Wood co-chaired the Merger of our city which celebrates its 60th year this year”

What is your favorite thing about living and working in Virginia Beach?

There’s still a small town aspect though our natural re sources, parks, waterways and growing arts scene are the most invigorating.

How did you persevere through the tough times?

Just keep walking-Walk softly and carry a big stick.

What do you want to achieve next?

A higher education creative arts satellite campus in the ViBe, with affordable housing for students to live work and study.

Enjoy a Cup of Coffee in Virginia Beach This Season

While we need our morning coffee year-round, there’s something about a hot cup on a cold winter morning that just warms the soul. Pair it with a fresh-baked muffin or hand pie, and you’ve set the stage perfectly for a memorable winter’s day. Here are a few of our favorite spots to warm up with a cup of coffee in Virginia Beach.

Bad Ass Coffee Company

@badasscoffeevb

Coffee lovers who can’t get enough of Hawaii’s famous Kona coffee can enjoy a cup in the tropical vibes of Bad Ass Coffee, located in the ViBe Creative District. While all of their coffee creations are stellar, we like the Cuban Coffee, which is espresso served with caramelized sugar. For a traditional pairing try one of their donuts, like the classic blueberry donut.

Three Ships Coffee

@threeshipscoffee

Three Ships, in the eclectic ViBe Creative District, is perfect for early morning pickme-ups and mid-day coffee and dessert. Their homemade hand pies, in mouthwatering flavors like Nutella, are the perfect graband-go food to pair with their house-roasted coffee. Wash one down with a Pungo latte, a classic latte made with Three Ships’ rich coffee and lightly sweetened with seasonal berries, like strawberries and blueberries, from the Pungo agricultural district.

PERKED UP! COFFEE CAFÉ

@maggie.g.c

Instagram at Perked Up!

Located at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, Perked Up! is a locallyowned coffee shop serving up fresh baked goods and delicious coffee. Try a classic cappuccino with one of the house-made scones, which come in flavors like coconut lime, and blueberry lemon, or one of their banana Nutella muffins.

ROAST RIDER COFFEE + TEA

@roastridercoffee

Hilltop’s Roast Rider Coffee takes care in every step, from bean to cup, to produce the perfect cup of joe, so we like to keep it simple here with traditional black coffee. Serving locally-sourced baked treats from some of our favorite spots, like May’s Parlor and My Vegan Sweet Tooth, it’s hard to go wrong here. If you haven’t tried one of the gluten-free, vegan muffins from My Vegan Sweet Tooth yet, this is the perfect time to try.

Pour Favor Coffee Shop

@pourfavorcoffeeshop

Located inland in Virginia Beach, Pour Favor Coffee Shop is serving out lattes and cappuccinos that are almost too pretty to drink. Almost. While you can’t really go wrong with any of their coffee drinks, it can be hard to settle in on just one. Luckily, with their coffee flight, you don’t have to. Dive into a sampling of four of their creations like the latte, macchiato, mocha, and coco loco cold brew. With sweet breakfast staples like fresh, homemade waffles, served with powdered sugar and warm syrup, and muffins in mouthwatering flavors like red velvet and cream cheese, chocolate chip, and blueberry, there’s a lot to love here.

MAY’S PARLOR

@maysparlor

Serving up the famous La Colombe brand coffee, May’s Parlor is much more than just a bakery. This Oceanfront hotspot is cranking out sweet and savory treats using locally-sourced dairy, meats, cheeses, and produce, whenever available. We’re a huge fan of their croissants and any of their creative “cruffins,” which come in both sweet and savory varieties. For the perfect pairing, try the classic Latte with a flaky chocolate croissant.