For a one-of-a-kind souvenir to take home with you, locally made products are best. With artisans and manufacturers of all varieties specializing in everything from fishing reels and leatherworking to artisanal soaps, Virginia Beach has no shortage of products made in our coastal city. Here are a few of our favorite companies making their products right here in Virginia Beach.
Seigler Reels
@fishseigler, Instagram
All of the high-quality fishing reels made by Siegler are designed, machined and assembled right here in Virginia Beach. Made with the highest-quality components and craftsmanship, resulting in products that consistently perform on the water, these are a go-to before your next deep-sea fishing trip or fly-casting excursion. Compared head to head with other reels in their classes, Seigler reels are lighter and stronger, with the smoothest, most precise drag system and highest line capacities available.
North End Bag Co.
Located in the heart of the ViBe Creative District, the North End Bag Company crafts handmade leather and canvas bags from scratch using a variety of multi-era vintage sewing machines. From when the design is sketched to when the sewing machine whirs to a stop, no detail is overlooked in building these timeless and sturdy bags. The shop also creates unique wallets, belts and other accessories. All of it is built to last a lifetime.
Benevolent Design Co.
@benevolent_design_co, Instagram
Reclaiming thick slabs of wood from trees to build custom furniture pieces for homes and businesses throughout Virginia Beach, the folks at Benevolent Design Co. are craftsmen and artists in every sense of the words. For a look at the beautiful work they produce, check out local establishments such as Esoteric and Back Bay Brewing Co., whose interiors were designed by Benevolent Design. Although its tables, beds, benches and other large pieces won't fit in an overhead compartment (shipping is available), the company also sells beautiful cutting and serving boards, and even coasters.
The Aromatherapy Shoppe
@thearomatherapyshoppe, Instagram
Marthica McDermott, the owner of The Aromatherapy Shoppe, creates what she considers "food for the skin" from essential oils, carrier oils, herbs and other botanicals. It’s hard to go wrong with any of her nourishing, locally made bath and body products, including a variety of aromatherapy lotions, creams and bath bombs. We love the Virginia Beach Sand Soap, given a bit of exfoliating power with sand from the Virginia Beach Oceanfront itself!
Beach-Based Distilleries
Waterman's Spirits, Virginia Beach Oceanfront
While the beverages of Virginia Beach's craft breweries are best sampled on tap, four companies own stills here and create unique liquors, from vodka to whiskey to orange liqueur, in bottles that are easy to pack.
About Our Writer
Terry Galvin was 6 when he got his first boat, an 8-foot aluminum johnboat with oars. His family lived in a house on the water and soon, he was driving the family power boat, water skiing and learning to race sailboats. When he wasn’t boating, Terry was reading, a behavior that later lead to a career as a newspaper writer and editor. He was working for the Virgin Islands Daily News when Terry met his wife of 30 years, who shares his love of the water and humors his need to hunt down locally owned restaurants wherever they go.
