THE WHALING COMPANY STORY

One of the current owners, Stephen York, opened The Whaling Company in the summer of 1980. The corporate name then was Continental Restaurant Systems owned by Ralston Purina. There has only been one Whaling Company ever built. Thru the late 1970’s to early 1990’s the corporation expanded to almost a hundred restaurants with names like Mountain Jacks and Hungry Hunter. Co-owner Vickie Barbour opened the Mountain Jacks in Hampton in 1979.

One of our original menus is framed in the foyer. Its as much a relic as our décor.

Thru out the decades The Whaling  Company was left somewhat alone by the corporate changes  and  corporate raiders. After a company reorganization in 2003 Stephen and Vickie tried unsuccessfully to buy The Whaling  Company. Another  financial group was awarded the entire company and wanted to keep all the profitable ones together as an ongoing entity.

Finally on July 04, Independence Day, 2007 Stephen and Vickie were able to buy the business and free The Whaling Company from corporate hands. We can now proudly say we are locally owned and operated.

Tony Giallambardo has  been our managing  Chef since 1987. Tony is best known for his commitment to quality, love of family, and easy going management style.

You will find our people dedicated to the art of hospitality, and most  stay  with us for years. One of our long term waiters, Mike Boatwright, was on the opening team in 1980. Another long term waiter, Sonny Gideon, fostered one of more popular dishes: The Sonny Delight! Yet another . Marybeth Davis, and her entire family take great pride  in doing our Christmas décor every year. And then there’s Jermaine Jacob, whose  parents both worked here when he was born.

We are best known for fresh fish, simply prepared, at reasonable prices in a unique, comfortable, entertaining environment. We hope  you will relax and enjoy your visit with us.

HISTORIC WILLIAMSBURG

The historic triangle is steeped in American origins. The beautiful Colonial Parkway meanders thru picturesque landscapes and rivers connecting  Yorktown on the York River through Williamsburg and finally  Jamestown on the James River.

Yorktown is best known for the surrender of General Cornwallis. It was here that “the rebels” changed warfare forever. You can walk along the now empty battlefield and ground works and drive along Surrender Road. The historic houses give the town a colonial genteelness.

Leave Yorktown along the Colonial Parkway to Williamsburg, Virginia’s first capital. It was the colonial bastion of government, high life, and innovations of the time. Walk down the Duke of Gloucester Street just  as it  was in colonial times. Closed to traffic, only horse drawn carriages, the street connects the old capital building to the second oldest college in America, William and Mary.

The Parkway takes you all the way to the first permanent English settlement in America, Jamestown. You can see the original church there and explore the recreated fortifications.

Hope you have fun and enjoy our rich history.