Clint and Lisa Almarode moved to Middlesex County about five years ago. They were drawn to the rural setting and the character of a small waterfront community. When the opportunity came to open a business in Urbanna, they took it.
The Wooden Pickle opened in a rented room inside the old Taylor Hardware building at 51 Cross Street. The arrangement came with one condition from the building’s owner: they had to serve coffee. So they did — sandwiches and coffee, out of a 600-square-foot space with a single four-foot chest freezer.
Lisa had spent years doing meals on wheels in Mathews County and cooking for large groups. She describes the work the same way now as she did then.
“I don’t come to work. I come to see my friends and feed them — which makes me happy.”
THE MOVE TO VIRGINIA STREET
They quickly outgrew the Cross Street space. When the building on Virginia Street became available, Clint and Lisa took it. They spent three months on a full remodel, expanding into a 3,800-square-foot facility with a commercial kitchen capable of running a full breakfast, lunch, and dinner operation.
The jump in scale brought new challenges: more staff to hire, more equipment to acquire, and the logistics of running a significantly larger kitchen.
HOW THE MIDDLESEX EDA HELPED
The Middlesex County EDA supported The Wooden Pickle through the expansion in two ways: getting the word out that the restaurant was hiring, and providing grant funding to help the Almarodes acquire additional equipment — including freezers needed to support the expanded menu.
“The Middlesex EDA was pretty helpful with us,” Clint said.
The restaurant now holds an ABC license and serves local draft beers from Gloucester Brewing Company, as well as a full liquor license for mixed drinks. The dinner menu includes steaks, burgers, chicken wings, and French fries alongside the expanded lunch and breakfast offerings.
SECOND LOCATION IN DELTAVILLE
On July 25, 2026, the Almarodes opened a second Wooden Pickle location in Deltaville, having purchased the former Cafe by the Bay property and building.
The Wooden Pickle has two locations:
Urbanna: 280 Virginia Street, Urbanna, VA 23175
Deltaville: 17435 General Puller Hwy, Deltaville, VA 23043
Phone: (804) 435-5068
Facebook: The Wooden Pickle
If you’re thinking about starting or growing a business in Middlesex County, the EDA is here to help.
Contact the Middlesex County EDA →
Rising Tide: The Stories That Build Our County is a video series from the Middlesex County EDA featuring the entrepreneurs and business owners shaping Middlesex’s economic future.