A Deep History of Great Taste
When Peter Coe opened the first TASTE Unlimited as a wine and cheese shop in Virginia Beach in 1973, he set the course to invigorate the Coastal Virginia palate. In 2006, stewardship passed to the Pruden family—longtime specialty food makers known for curing Virginia hams. Under their leadership and a senior management team with over a century of combined experience, TASTE evolved into a dynamic family of 13 businesses. And in 2024, we proudly became a 100% employee-owned company through an ESOP, ensuring the people who bring TASTE to life each day share directly in the success they help create.
Today, every TASTE location is part specialty foods market and part café, offering made-to-order sandwiches, salads, and soups; small-batch prepared foods; boutique wines and craft beers; and thoughtful gifts and events. United by our mission to Cultivate Community through The Good Life, we deliver unmatched hospitality in authentically local spaces that celebrate food, community, and connection.
TASTE becomes 100% employee owned through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).
Zinnia Cafe & Events opens in the Chrysler Museum of Art
TASTE Family of Businesses CEO Jon Pruden is elected Chairman of the Board of the Specialty Food Association.
CUISINE rebrands as TASTE Catering & Events
Rowena’s Specialty Cakes & Drizzles joins the TASTE Family of Businesses, shipping hand-crafted cakes and sauces internationally from our bakery in Virginia Beach.
TASTE Town Center opens as the fourth TASTE location in Virginia Beach.
Cuisine and Company joins the TASTE Family of Businesses as CUISINE Catering & Events, Coastal Virginia's premier full-service caterer.
TASTE Westhampton opens as the first location outside of Hampton Roads.
TASTE is featured in Architectural Digest as Virginia’s Most Beautiful Independent Store.
After a six year absence, TASTE returns to Ghent launching the borjo drinkbar and breakfast at this location!
The TASTE Bakehouse launches, providing original, made-from-scratch baked goods to the TASTE Family of Businesses.
Headquarters Moves to Virginia Beach. The location includes the TASTE Kitchen, Warehouse & Corporate Offices.
The TASTE Family of Business is established, bringing multiple culinary worlds under one roof.
Peter Coe inducted posthumously into the Specialty Food Hall of Fame.
TASTE Harbour View opens in Suffolk in the Riverfront Shoppes.
Taste Unlimited rebrands as TASTE. The Good Life is born.
TASTE UNLIMITED is recognized nationally as an "Outstanding Retailer" by the Specialty Food Association & both TASTE and Rowena's are recognized as a "Retailer of the Year" by the local Retailer Network.
TASTE expands to the peninsula, opening TASTE City Center in Newport News.
Father and son Peter & Jon Pruden purchase TASTE UNLIMITED. Peter Coe continues in the business until his death in 2011.
TASTE Greenbrier opens in Chesapeake.
Rowena Fullinwider opened Rowena's with her trademark delicacy - the sinfully good almond pound cake she made from an old family recipe.
TASTE Oceanfront store opens at its current address at 36th & Pacific.
TASTE Bayville Farms store opens at the former Bayville Farms Dairy Farm on Shore Drive in Virginia Beach.
Louise Nagourney opened her retail shop, Pasta & Company, which would later morph into the area's premier caterer, CUISINE.
TASTE UNLIMITED is founded by Peter Coe at Hilltop West in Virginia Beach.