WARA News
Say No to an increase in your Meal Tax
In May of 2025, the Williamsburg City Council proposed an increase to their local meal tax. Nearly a dozen WARA members & restaurant owners spoke out against this increase. Additionally, many others took the time to reach out and express their concerns.
The meeting can be viewed here City Council – May 08 2025
City Officials were sympathetic but are still planning for an additional increase of 1.5%. Raising the meal tax in Williamsburg to 6.5%,
Currently, Virginia’s sales tax in the Historic Triangle is 7%, with additional local meal taxes applied to prepared foods.
If approved by the City of Williamsburg, this would bring the total tax on meals up to 13.5% – Placing an unfair burden on local restaurants and their employees, many whom operate on thin profit margins. These hikes could devastate small, independent businesses and the workers who depend on them.
We here at Williamsburg Area Restaurant Association (WARA) are sharing this information to ensure you have all the facts. Make your voice heard before it’s too late!
Reach out to our City Council members today.
*The current rate in James City County is 4%. There is currently no proposal in place for a meal tax increase for the county at this time. Please see letter from Scott A. Stevens, James City County Administrator below
For residents of Williamsburg, you will find the names and email links for our City Council Members. To streamline your outreach, we’ve prepared a draft letter that you may use as-is or modify to suit your needs.
Simply copy the text and replace the text in brackets.
Subject: Opposition to Proposed Meal Tax Increase and Lack of Public Input
Dear [Board Member’s Name],
I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed increases to the local meal tax in the City of Williamsburg, raising the meal tax to a rate of 6.5%. Therefore, raising the combined tax rate in Williamsburg to 13.5%. Placing an undue burden on local restaurants, many of which operate on thin profit margins, and could harm small businesses, employees, and the broader community.
Equally concerning is the lack of public engagement in this decision. By advancing this proposal through a Board vote without meaningful input from residents, business owners, and stakeholders, the process undermines transparency and accountability. Tax increases of this magnitude should involve open discussion and careful consideration of their economic impact.
I urge you to reconsider this proposal and instead seek alternative solutions that do not disproportionately affect local restaurants and diners. At the very least, the public deserves an opportunity to voice their concerns before any final decision is made.
Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. I hope you will take these concerns seriously and advocate for a more inclusive and fair process.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Address or Business Affiliation, if applicable]
[Your Contact Information]
Scroll below contacts to read letters from some of our members
Contact Your Williamsburg City Council Members Today
Mayor
Vice Mayor
W. Pat Dent
Phone: 757-207-0924
Term Expires: Dec. 31, 2028
Email: pdent@williamsburgva.gov
Council Member
Barbara L/ Ramsey
Phone: 757-229-5109
Term Expires: Dec. 31, 2028
Email: bramsey@williamsburgva.gov
Council Member
Stacy E. Kern-Scheerer
Phone: 757-504-0019
Term Expires: Dec. 31, 2026
Email: skernscheerer@williamsburgva.gov
Council Member
Ayanna T. Williams
Phone: 757-279-8883
Term Expires: Dec. 31, 2028
Email: awilliams@williamsburgva.gov
Letter From Neil Griggs, Chef & Owner, Cochon on 2nd/ Moody's Kitchen
Neil Griggs,
Chef/ Proprietor
Cochon on 2nd | Moody’s Kitchen and Catering
” Dear Friends & Neighbors
In March 2020, I sent my first email to this community, sharing how Cochon on 2nd would pivot to Cochon at Home during an unprecedented crisis. Today, I write to you again with that same urgency and hope – this time, about a decision that could shape the future of our beloved Williamsburg.
I would like to discuss the Williamsburg City Council’s proposal to increase the Meal Tax, Admission Tax, and Water Tax to balance the 2026 Operating Budget. While I deeply respect the Council’s efforts, I feel strongly that this is a colossal misinterpretation of today’s marketplace, a low-hanging quick fix with high risk and an absolute disregard for history.
Some History. When I was in college years ago, I waited tables at Chowning’s Tavern. It was one of the very best summer server jobs in town, where often the lines at lunch stretched to the Courthouse. Today, its doors are closed.
I opened Cochon on 2nd in 2015, and we thrived with five years of double-digit growth. Most of the increases in sales were from increased traffic, and Cochon was thriving. Along came Covid, and we all remember the long, tough battle that was. Fast forward to Spring 2022, hope had returned, the world opened up, everybody was getting out of the house, and everybody had money to spend. Unfortunately, May’s ‘Christmas’ did not last very long.
It is exactly at this point that I feel the “Circus left town”. Williamsburg simply has not bounced back from COVID, and tourist attendance continues to decrease quarter over quarter. I don’t think what I’m saying here is a secret to anybody. 4 months into 2025, and attendance is horrible. We will have a strong May in front of us, but the summer looks bleak by all hotel reservation forecast. This isn’t pessimism –it’s the reality we’re living.
At Cochon, we know we must make some immediate changes to address this different marketplace, and to start, we are decreasing our 2025 Mother’s Day menu from $100 to $85, introducing more affordable dishes like Wood-Grilled Hanger Steak with Mint Chimichurri. (more on this to come), and re-imagining how we serve you. Everything but raising prices is on the table for discussion.
Here’s my “crystal ball” glimpse into the future—and why it matters. Williamsburg is an expensive family destination, yet one of Virginia’s weakest tourist performers. If taxes rise while businesses slash prices to survive, how will we attract the next generation of entrepreneurs? The next Tom Powers, David Everetts, Daniel Abids, and Chohanys will take their talents elsewhere. Without change, local spirit will be replaced by national chains, with corporate headquarters in another state. Entrepreneurs will see Williamsburg as too risky because the CC believes that while we are lowering our prices, they can raise them on our behalf. They are simply out of touch it with the streets of this town, raising costs as businesses struggle to stay afloat. It’s time to act.
If you agree with me, and believe in a Williamsburg rooted in local spirit, not corporate templates, immediately email the CC and ask them to make the right, but difficult choice. The Golden Goose won’t fly anymore.
Email council@williamsburgva.gov and ask them to prioritize sustainable solutions for our community’s future.
Williamsburg’s strength lies in its people. Let’s fight for a future where local businesses and families can thrive. “
Letter from Noreen Graziano
Thank you honorable city manager, Trivette, Mayor Pons and honorable members of the City council for your time and consideration.
I am Noreen Graziano, the current president of Williamsburg Area Restaurant Association. WARA is a non-profit that was established in 1999. The association supports and promotes the economic interests of nearly 100 local restaurants.
I am also a city business owner who would be affected by the proposed meals tax increase and water increase.
Both the restaurant association and my business are opposed to the current 1.5-2% increases in meals tax and a 30% increase in water.
The restaurant industry is struggling. Local restaurants are already faced with rising food prices, increased spending on staffing, utilities, rent, decreased visitation and increased credit card fees. Customer spending is down, diners are sharing items and choosing cheaper meals. The consumer is eating out less due to uncertainty. Currently restauranteurs are absorbing the credit card fees to collect meals tax. With an increase in meals tax, these fees will also increase.
An increase in the meals tax unfairly targets one industry, rather than distributing tax increases more equitably across all sectors. Patrons of the restaurants are both locals and tourists. We feel by increasing the meals tax by 1.5-2% to the existing 5% local meal tax is effectively increasing the meal tax by 30%. We feel this will drive locals out of visiting city restaurants and could result in decreased visitation. We all know the common goal in this room is increasing visitation.
Letter from Scott A. Stevens, County Administrator
I would like to clarify that James City County has not taken any action to increase the meals tax for businesses located within the County.
We did have a discussion with the Board of Supervisors during their regularly scheduled Business Meeting on April 22, 2025. During the FY 2026 Proposed Budget discussion, we had one slide that was titled “Additional Revenue Considerations.” This slide listed tax rates that the Board of Supervisors has the authority to set. One of the six taxes listed was the Meals Tax. This was informational only for the FY 2026 Budget. You can watch this meeting at Board of Supervisors Business Meeting • Agendas & Minutes – James City County, VA • CivicClerk
If the Board of Supervisors were to change any of our current tax rates, that would be discussed as part of their FY 2027 Budget discussion that would occur in April and May of 2026.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Scott A. Stevens
County Administrator
101-D Mounts Bay Road
Williamsburg, VA 23185
P: 757-253-6603
C: 757-876-9610