Looking back to a month ago celebrating the release of Volume 11 at @valivingmuseum It was an unforgettable night filled with incredible people, local businesses, and the kind of energy that reminds you why community matters. From start to finish, it was one of those evenings you wish you could bottle up.
Huge shoutout to Andy Flint at @afav_llc for bringing it all back to life through this video! He truly has an immense talent for capturing the heart of a moment and telling the stories behind the businesses. Always a job well done.
EDITOR NOTE // There’s something truly special about this place we call home—the people, the businesses, the energy. Every day, I'm inspired by the incredible local entrepreneurs who pour their hearts into their craft, shaping the vibrant and dynamic community that makes Williamsburg & The Chesapeake Bay so extraordinary.
As we prepare to launch Volume 10 in just a few weeks, I'm more excited than ever to continue our mission of showcasing the remarkable small businesses that make our area shine. From charming boutiques to innovative creators, top-notch service professionals, and beloved dining destinations, each business adds its own unique touch to the story of our community.
Thank you for being a part of this journey with us! My team and I can’t wait to share what’s ahead and celebrate another year of supporting local. Stay tuned for more details—we have so much in store! ✨
xo, Sara
#TSGWilliamsburg #TSGChesapeakeBay #LiveLoveLocal #volume10
Sara Harris, editor of @tsgwilliamsburg , is not only an influencer in her city, but an advocate for local businesses as she Scouts and shares the things she’s loving right now. Shop her picks at thescoutguide.com and give these small businesses a little love.
What I’m Coveting | Three-Carat Oval Tanzanite Split Shank Ring | @ryaneuredesigns
What I’m Reading | Partnering: Forge the Deep Connections That Make Great Things Happen | @jeanoelwang
What I’m Gifting | W&H EAGLE Golf Shoes | @williamandharrystyle
Where I’m Shopping | Anchal Checkered Tote | @made_global
#thescoutguide #tsgwilliamsburg #editorloves
📷: @alicepark
My heart was full with pride for our community this morning watching the @todayshow 3rd Hour broadcast live from Williamsburg. Huge thank you to the incredible team at @visitwilliamsburg , and so many others, for bringing it all together so beautifully and shining a light on our “neck of the woods.”
Our area truly put its best foot forward and showcased an incredible collection of AMAZING local businesses today… so many of which I’ve had the pleasure of photographing and working with over the years through @saraharrisphotography , @tsgwilliamsburg , or both. Such a beautiful reminder of how special the people here really are.
And @alroker … we already knew it, but what an absolute gentleman. So gracious with his time, walking around and speaking to as many people as he could.
And seeing the @william_and_mary graduates featured so prominently on graduation day itself felt especially meaningful after spending the last month photographing so many of their senior portraits.
Days like today make me even more grateful for the path I’ve carved out for myself… getting to photograph people and businesses in a way that helps them feel seen and celebrated, and championing great local businesses and telling their stories as Editor of @thescoutguide Williamsburg & The Chesapeake Bay.
Today felt like one big love letter to our Williamsburg community, and it was so deserved. 🤍
What an exciting moment for our community. Seeing the @todayshow broadcasting live from Colonial Williamsburg as America begins celebrating the #250th anniversary was such a special reminder of the history, charm, and national significance of this place we call home.
Thanks to the incredible work of @visitwilliamsburg , millions of viewers across the country were able to experience the beauty and spirit of Williamsburg through a national spotlight. From the historic streets and stories of Colonial Williamsburg to the local businesses, hospitality, and people who make this area so welcoming, it was a proud moment for the entire region.
Visit Williamsburg continues to play such an important role in sharing our community with the world and reminding us why this area is such a meaningful place to live, visit, and celebrate.
Some institutions leave a lasting impact not only through education, but through the kind of people they help shape.
At Christopher Newport University, students are encouraged to grow into thoughtful leaders, engaged citizens, and confident individuals prepared to make a meaningful difference in the world around them. Rooted in the values of honor, scholarship, leadership, and service, the university has created a close-knit academic community where students are truly known and supported.
With a nationally recognized liberal arts foundation, small class sizes, and a strong emphasis on character development, @christophernewportu prepares students for far more than their first career. Captains graduate with the ability to think critically, communicate with confidence, and lead with integrity in every stage of life.
From its beautiful campus in Newport News to its impact across Hampton Roads and beyond, Christopher Newport continues to be a place where purpose, opportunity, and community come together in an extraordinary way.
Some businesses become a part of the fabric of a community. For 70 years, Peninsula Heating & Air - better known throughout our region as PHA - has been exactly that. From Williamsburg and Yorktown to Gloucester, Newport News, and beyond, generations of homeowners and businesses have relied on their team for dependable comfort solutions delivered with professionalism and care.
Under the leadership of the Smith family, @peninsulaheatingandair has continued to grow while staying grounded in the values that built the company in the first place - integrity, honesty, teamwork, and a commitment to exceeding customer expectations. Their motto, “Offering the Professional Difference,” is more than a phrase - it’s something reflected in the way they serve their community every day.
At Mariposa Medical Spa, beauty and wellness are approached with intention - creating an experience that feels as restorative as it is refined.
Founded by nurse practitioners and aesthetics providers Nikki Marshall and Katherine Boucher, @mariposamedicalspa was born from a shared vision of more personalized, patient-centered care. Their philosophy blends advanced aesthetics with holistic wellness, offering treatments designed not simply to enhance appearance, but to help clients feel renewed, confident, and fully cared for from the inside out.
From skin rejuvenation and facials to wellness therapies and aesthetic treatments, each experience is thoughtfully tailored with a focus on natural, lasting results. The atmosphere is warm, welcoming, and deeply intentional - a place where expertise and compassion come together beautifully.
Boating season on the Chesapeake Bay is here ⚓️☀️
And York River Yacht Haven is ready to welcome you with the perfect mix of elevated marina amenities and genuine local hospitality.
Why boaters love it here:
• 280 slips accommodating boats from 20’ to 160’ • Non-ethanol fuel & diesel conveniently located right off the Bay • Dedicated dock-and-dine access to YROC Coastal Bar & Grill @yrocbarandgrill via A Dock 🍊🦪 • A protected 14-acre “hurricane hole” setting, sheltered from every quadrant • Flexible slip options for overnight stays, weekends, seasonal boating, or year-round living on the water
What truly sets this marina apart is the people. General Manager Preston and his incredible team create the kind of welcoming, community-centered atmosphere that keeps boaters coming back year after year.
And while @yryhmarina is part of the nationally recognized Suntex Marinas family, it still feels deeply local in all the best ways.
Together with sister properties @tidewateryachtmarina@oceanyachtmarina , these marinas continue to make Coastal Virginia one of the most sought-after boating destinations on the East Coast.
Slip away for the day, the weekend, the summer… or stay awhile. 🌊
The impact of a single book can last a lifetime-and for many children, it’s where everything begins.
Through The DeGood Foundation and their partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, families across the Virginia Peninsula are receiving something simple, yet powerful, free high-quality books delivered right to their door, month after month.
From birth to age five, children are given access to stories that spark imagination, build early literacy, and help shape a foundation for future success. It’s a program made possible by a community that believes every child deserves that opportunity, regardless of background.
A meaningful way to invest in the next generation, one book at a time. Show your support at @thedegoodfoundation and @imaginationlibrary
Some celebrations call for something that immediately sets the tone, and that’s where the details truly shine.
At Ribbons Creative Balloons, Aisha has built a premier balloon design experience that goes far beyond decor. Each installation is thoughtfully created to transform a space, bringing energy, color, and a sense of occasion to every event.
Whether it’s a milestone celebration, a gathering with friends, or something entirely one-of-a-kind, @ribbonscreativeballoons designs have a way of making the moment feel elevated and unforgettable.
Good food has a way of bringing people together, and that’s exactly what it’s meant to do.
At Small Town Burger, brothers Duke and Rock have built something that goes beyond just great burgers. Rooted in community, the goal is simple - create a place where people can come together over food, family, and friends.
Whether you’re visiting one of their locations in Urbana @smalltownburgerurbanna and Kilmarnock @smalltownburgerkilmarnock , catching the food truck around the Chesapeake Bay, or having them cater your next event, it’s all about creating a good time and a memorable experience!
