12/18/2025
📢 Virginia Beach — let’s stand with our local restaurants! 📣
The Virginian-Pilot Guest Column December 12, 2025, by JB Maas, Restaurant Owner and VB Resident.
Virginia Beach’s prepared meals tax should be repealed. The guest columnist argues that the city’s high tax on prepared food and drinks — among the highest in the country when combined with state and local levies — hurts diners and local restaurants alike. Critics say it makes eating out more expensive, burdens small businesses still recovering from pandemic losses, and drives customers to neighboring cities with lower taxes.
Instead of keeping or increasing this tax, the columnist calls for a fairer approach that supports the restaurant community and local economy. The prepared meals tax is driving up costs and hurting diners and local businesses.
But don’t boycott eating out — keep supporting your favorite local spots, their employees, and the vibrant culinary community they create. Together we can urge VB Mayor and City Council members for fairer tax policy and continue to enjoy the best of Virginia Beach’s restaurant scene! 🍔🍹❤️
Read full article here: https://www.pilotonline.com/2025/12/09/column-virginia-beachs-prepared-meals-tax-must-go/
