CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Editor's Note: Watch the full report on 13News Now Thursday at 6 p.m.
The Summit Pointe development in Chesapeake is shifting the business and residential landscape of Greenbrier. The mixed-use hub nestled off Volvo Parkway shows growth in the central business district.
"It is a big-time feeling, kind of an urban feeling, but there's still that local connectivity," Chesapeake Mayor Rick West told 13News Now in describing the development.
Dollar Tree executives wanted to build out the area as part of the next steps after acquiring Family Dollar in 2015. West said the integrated company envisioned a dynamic hub for its associates.
According to the development's website, Summit Pointe is a $330 million investment with plenty of office, retail, hospitality and residential space. West said the apartments have filled up as fast as the developers can build them.
"Believe or not, a lot of walking traffic with the apartments," said Gray Livingston, who owns and operates Pale Horse Coffee. "It's amazing how many people still don't know it exists."
A little more than two years ago, Livingston became among the first to set up shop at Summit Pointe.
"Generally, on a daily basis, in here it's hard to find a seat. Might have to knock a wall down if we grow anymore," Livingston said.
Summit Pointe has grown with other familiar names like Union Taco and Luce, as well as new additions like Cork & Bull Chophouse and Toastique.
"We saw it was a mixed-use development with great potential," said Samaria "Sam" Hunter, owner of Toastique in Chesapeake.
Sam's interest in healthy food and living kicked into high gear after receiving a medical diagnosis. She and her husband Thadd "TC" Hunter saw a need for healthy food on the go, opening a branch of the franchise in Summit Pointe in November 2023.
"And we're part of the community, so we wanted something that would fit right in the community," said TC. "Parking is free. You can't beat it. It's a great location."
And the location of Summit Pointe is expected to keep developing with time.
"This place, they're still projecting 'Block 4' and '5' of the development in the future," said Livingston. "[And] I know across Volvo, they're projecting to put another apartment complex out there with 600 apartments."
Gaby Nobrega moved to Chesapeake after Venture X, the co-working space company she works for, opened its doors at Summit Pointe.
"It's a new development and Greenbrier is really up and coming. There's a lot of new businesses. And it's really growing, especially with the apartments close by," said Nobrega.
Consultants are in the middle of studying the Greenbrier area to develop a plan to present to the Chesapeake City Council this summer. A preliminary concept focuses on Summit Pointe as a walkable district, with a convocation center, plus more retail, housing and offices.
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People 13News Now spoke with are excited for what's to come.
"We always want to have that community connection," Sam Hunter told 13News Now.
"The whole Volvo Parkway, in the next five years, when you ride through this section, you'll get more of a downtown feeling," West added.
More businesses are coming soon to Summit Pointe, including a new location of Sweet Spot, a dessert shop you may recognize from Virginia Beach.