HAMPTON, Va. — Mango Mangeaux Bistro, a popular restaurant specializing in Creole dishes, is closing at the start of 2026 after a decade in the Phoebus community in Hampton.
“I guess it’s a pretty sad reaction that it’s going to be closing," said Mango Mangeaux customer Lisa Marie Simmons.
Simmons is not alone in her reaction.
In less than 24 hours after Mango Mangeaux's upcoming closure was announced on the restaurant’s Facebook page, the post had received over 600 comments and thousands of reactions.
Many commenters expressed sadness, but also shared memories of the restaurant.
“The mango aspect of it was just awesome as well because we had that nice, almost like an island, feel," said Simmons.
The restaurant’s owner declined to be interviewed, saying at the time she wanted to focus on taking care of her customers.
She also said she doesn’t want this to be a time of sadness, but rather a time to celebrate the impact the restaurant has had, and she planned to do some things at the restaurant to celebrate.
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According to the Facebook post, the closure marks the completion of the restaurant’s 10-year business plan.
Over the years, News 3 has featured the restaurant and the women behind it multiple times, including how it began as a pitch on the TV show Shark Tank and led to multiple other businesses in Hampton.
Their other businesses are unaffected by the restaurant's closure and will remain open. This includes Simply Panache Nail Bar and Medi Spa, Simply Panache Place: A Boutique Hotel, The Hampton: A Simply Panache Venue, Noir: A Simply Panache Lounge, Charlotte’s: A Simply Panache Cafeteria, and Mango Medical: Direct Patient Care.
“I really think it’s an amazing thing that young black women came together and started this business," Simmons said.
Across the street at Robert’s Antiques, Laura Sanford, who owns the business with her husband, said she would like to see more retail in the area now that there will be a space available.
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“I do understand it’s not as easy as it used to be," said Sandford.
She said restaurants are always welcome, too, but said they have to be competitive.
“Don’t come here and just try to sneak by some frozen things. You’ve got to have a chef and some good items on your menu, some fresh food," Sandford emphasized.
As for Mango Mangeaux, according to the Facebook post, it may pop up again somewhere new, possibly with new owners.
