There has never been a better time for new beginnings. From beloved homemade recipes to iconic Philadelphia classics, Tastefully Philly Café stands as a beacon of passionate community service, engagement and hospitality. Founded and owned by Danielle Prince, a Northern Philadelphia native, the café fosters a sense of togetherness and belonging among Virginia Peninsula residents.
With a successful grand opening in February, this little café has embraced the journey of providing a friendly, wholesome and inspiring atmosphere centered around customer service and community connections, ready to greet every customer. Located just inside Paperbacks Ink, here is a place where you can enjoy your favorite book with a customized beverage or delicious homemade sandwich or salad.
“We really pride ourselves on our ability to maintain community relationships and communicate well with our customers,” Prince says. “I grew up in a time where people valued great customer service, so I want to emulate that within my business and among my customers as well as to carry on a tradition.”
From managing staff and maintaining the café to sourcing fresh ingredients and crafting homemade recipes year-round, Tastefully Philly Café continuously evolves to meet customer needs. With signature delectable treats like its favorites — banana pudding, cheesecake dip and brownie parfaits — the café also offers savory options including homemade chicken salad, hoagies and a variety of other salads and sandwiches. Its most popular sandwich is the famous Turkey BLT with bacon jam, a savory flavor of fresh ingredients and spices.
The beverage listings range from lemonade and tea to caramel macchiatos, personalized lattes and an ever-changing menu of daily and weekly specials. “It’s always amazing to see someone’s face light up when discovering a new food. And having had the opportunity to watch my team provide such strong fellowship and positive engagement with our customers, it truly makes me proud to come to work each morning,” says Prince.
Running a family-owned business involves a wide range of responsibilities. From cooking and baking and ingredient shopping, finding reliable purchase sources, ordering supplies, managing finances and administrative tasks to managing social media, there is always something to do. When asked what she most enjoys about being a business owner, Prince says, “I love waking up each morning with a sense of accomplishment and purpose and walking into my own business. Seeing my signature on the paperwork is inspirational and I couldn’t be more grateful to have been given this opportunity.”
Prince continuously practices balance, never hesitating to make time for herself, her husband Nehemiah of 24 years, and her children. “Family is everything to me. Though downtime can be limited, I especially love socializing and cooking for my friends and family because food is where I express my love for others. I also enjoy reading and studying Bible scriptures and I love being outdoors as much as possible,” she says. Establishing community connections and corporate success, Prince aims to make a difference in the lives of her customers by creating an inclusive environment, establishing generational wealth and leaving a lasting legacy for generations to come.
Originally a stay-at-home mother, Prince moved to the area in the fall of 2004 to support her husband’s career in the U.S. Navy. Reflecting on her journey to starting a family-owned business, Prince says, “I am so grateful to have this chance to bring a little bit of my hometown culture to the Newport News community. Becoming a business owner has been transformative, and I am excited to continue making community connections and meeting new people.”
Tastefully Philly Café celebrates its Philadelphia roots with a display of personalized artwork painted in tribute of Prince’s hometown as she and her family work to carry on the Philadelphia legacy.
TO THE POINT:
Tastefully Philly Café
Address: 9716 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA 23601
Contact: Danielle Prince, founder and owner
Phone: 804-504-6132
Website: tastefullyphillycafe.com
