WILLIAMSBURG — The Peanut Shop of Williamsburg, established in 1973, recently celebrated 50 years of selecting and hand-roasting Virginia peanuts.
The small Merchants Square shop specializes in offering Virginia peanuts — one of only four types of U.S.-grown peanuts — which are grown primarily in Virginia and the Carolinas. Virginia peanuts represent just 15% of total U.S. peanut production.
While the variety of peanuts is already considered the largest kernel size of all four types, The Peanut Shop of Williamsburg notes it only sources the highest market grade — Super Extra Large — a grade that comprises less than 3% of all Virginia peanuts grown.
“It’s the most amazing thing. We’ve got people from all over. I have been amazed at how many people across the United States come to Williamsburg and come here to the Peanut Shop,” said the store manager, Dianne Gwaltney.
The peanuts in the shop are all prepared in small batches by the roastmaster using a time-honored recipe with no additives or preservatives.
“When people come to Williamsburg they come here for one reason — for history — and that says a lot,” Gwaltney added. “I would have never imagined how many people come to Williamsburg and come to this peanut shop to buy the product, even when they don’t know what Virginia peanuts taste like.”
The shop celebrated the anniversary throughout the month of July and is currently featuring products in special 50th-anniversary cans.
To learn more about the Peanut Shop of Williamsburg and its offerings, check out its official website.
