Good Morning Virginia Beach!

We've got some good news to share this week, including a local boutique earning national recognition, a longtime farming family cooking up something new, and a change at Norfolk International Airport that might bring back a little nostalgia. Plus, we're sharing some delicious reasons to embrace fall around Hampton Roads.

Lets dive in!

— Kim Checcio

A Virginia Beach jewelry boutique is sparkling on the national stage. G Marie Luxuries has earned a top-five finish in the Small Cool division of INSTORE Magazine's 2026 America's Coolest Jewelry Stores competition. Located on Lynnhaven Drive, G Marie Luxuries was recognized for its distinctive shopping experience, exceptional service, and curated collection of rare gemstones and designer jewelry. Founder Gale Marie, a former art gallery owner, approaches jewelry as wearable art, personally selecting pieces from designers around the world. Even the showroom is a work of art, featuring European vintage chandeliers, original artwork, and nautical-inspired details. Beyond its collections, G Marie offers custom designs, appraisals, and private shopping appointments.

👉🏼 Click Here: Peek inside the Virginia Beach boutique making a national name for itself

Remember when you could walk someone all the way to their airport gate, even if you weren't flying? That experience is making a comeback in Hampton Roads. Norfolk International Airport and Newport News-Williamsburg Airport have joined Gateside by TSA PreCheck, a new program that allows eligible visitors to go through security without a plane ticket. You can accompany loved ones to their gate, welcome arriving passengers, or even enjoy airport restaurants and shops, including ORF's Bruce Smith 200 Sack Club. The program is free for eligible TSA PreCheck members and other qualifying trusted travelers with a Known Traveler Number. You'll need to apply online one to three days in advance, receive approval, and bring acceptable identification to pass through security.

👉🏼 Click Here: Find out how to apply and start visiting airport gates without a ticket

Some good news for Virginians. WalletHub just ranked Virginia the 12th safest state in the country for 2026, and we took the No. 1 spot for workplace safety. The study looked at everything from personal safety and financial security to road conditions and emergency preparedness. Virginia also ranked ahead of neighboring states like Maryland, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Not a bad showing for the Commonwealth.

👉🏼 Click Here: See which states made the top 10 and how the rest of the country stacks up

Pumpkin spice is just the beginning of what’s on the menu around Hampton Roads this fall. The Virginian-Pilot’s Rekaya Gibson has rounded up 11 seasonal drinks, desserts, and dishes worth trying, with a little something for every craving. Think pumpkin sweet potato pie egg rolls at J&K Style Grill, caramel apple cider at Biggby Coffee, cider doughnuts at Hickory Ridge Farm, and even a cranberry pecan cheese fondue at The Melting Pot. The list spans Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Newport News, and beyond, complete with prices and locations to make planning your next fall foodie outing easy.

👉🏼 Click Here: Explore Rekaya Gibson’s full list of 11 fall-inspired finds around Hampton Roads (Article may require a paid subscription.)

If you've ever picked up fresh produce from Creekmore's Place at the Virginia Beach Farmers Market, there's something new to look forward to. The family is opening a farm-to-table kitchen at their Indian River Road farm in November, where they'll sell prepared favorites like tomato pie, sweet potato pie, collard greens, and fresh-squeezed lemonade. The sweetest part of the story is that Sharon Creekmore Mosley will be cooking recipes her mother taught her on the very same property where she grew up. The kitchen is expected to open before Thanksgiving.

👉🏼 Click Here: Learn more about the family's plans and the recipes coming to their new kitchen (Article may require a paid subscription.)

Meeting new people as an adult does not have to mean awkward networking or forced introductions.

The Hampton Roads Dinner Club makes it a lot more fun. You take a quick matching quiz, reserve your seat and get paired with five other locals for dinner at a surprise Virginia Beach restaurant.

The next dinner is Wednesday, October 21 at 6:30pm, and the restaurant stays under wraps until closer to the event.

Six people. One table. Good food. New connections. That’s it.

👉🏼 Click Here: Take the quiz and join the next Hampton Roads Dinner Club.

Each month, we publish two private community magazines, Back Bay Living and Courthouse Living, highlighting the people, families, and stories that make our Virginia Beach neighborhoods special. This month, we're doing something a little different with our covers.

In recognition of Crime Prevention Month, we're featuring the Virginia Beach Police Department's 1st Precinct on both October covers, sharing a valuable resource many residents may not know exists.

Did you know VBPD offers free, personalized security assessments for homes, businesses, churches, and other properties? Officers evaluate everything from lighting and landscaping to entry points and surrounding crime data, then provide a confidential report with recommendations to help make your property safer. It's a service that could cost thousands through a private consultant, but VBPD offers it at no charge.

We're grateful to the 1st Precinct for helping us bring this useful information to the neighborhoods we serve.

📸 Photos by Sami Roy Photography