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Norfolk Stores and Retail and Resturants


vdogg

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I read the article about HMS Host closing the 8 eateries in the mall. There are approximately 150 comments on this article on pilotonline and I wish the writers would try to find out the rationale as to why HMS Host won't renew their lease or why the mall won't let them renew. There are so many negative comments about Norfolk (which some are deserved and some aren't) that its getting ridiculous. It does look bad seeing that the majority of the food court is closing but I have heard rumors that the mall isn't happy with HMS Host plus there have been plenty of complaints about the service, quality, selection, etc with their food court. Its sad that the affected employees will loose their jobs but maybe the mall can use this opportunity to find better and more interesting eateries and Panda Express and the sushi place is a great start for good change. I just wish the writers of these articles could convey a better look for the city of Norfolk and not make it look like the city and mall's demographics couldn't sustain these eateries.

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Panda Express is a huge coup for the mall. It is one of the fastest growing and most sought after though difficult to sign Chinese food chains. They are huge in the west coast especially in California and very popular for those who enjoy Chinese food and among asians (I'm Filipino and always ate Panda when out of town that had one). They are not easy to sign and have very strict requirements before even considering a location. These include:

TRAFFIC GENERATORS

Heavy retail; daytime employment; shopping centers, entertainment

Going Home side of traffic

Strong balance of residential and daytime activity

Trade Area Residential Population > 65,000

Trade Area Day Population > 30,000

Average Daily traffic > 45,000 cars combined main and cross streets

NON TRADITIONAL AND MALL SITES

Mall Size: > 1,000,000 square feet

# Anchors: 3+

University and College Campuses with > 14,000 population

Casinos

Major Airports

Major Entertainment Centers

Arenas and Stadiums

Hospitals

Visibility and Accessibility

BUILDING REQUIREMENTS

Food Courts: 800 – 1,000 square feet (minimum frontage 24 ft)

In Line: 1,800 – 2,000 square feet (minimum frontage 35 ft)

Utilities: Stubbed to space

Before Norfolk, the closest location was in Short Pump in Richmond and before that was NOVA. This will actually be their second location in Norfolk and I believe there are no other plans currently to expand in the region. Their first location is at the Norfolk Navy Exchange's new food court. I work as one of the managers of the starbucks at the NEX and a little over a year ago I spoke to the Food Services Director for the NEX to try to lure Panda Express as part of their new food court revamp and she said at the time she never heard of them and that it was likely not going to succeed with the new standards and demands of the NEX. Last October on Panda's grand opening day, I said thanked her for bringing them and even better she said "no, thank you for the suggestion". I'm excited that the first location gave the company the success and confidence to expand in Norfolk and this bodes very well for MacArthur Center as they work to re-position their food court. With the exception of the Cheescake Factory Bakery Cafe, none of the other eateries closing will be missed and this represents a huge opportunity for the mall.

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The new HT opened today in Ghent.

Should be interesting. I've never been in a two story grocery store.

This HT is probably the nicest grocery store in Hampton Roads at this point. I would not be surprised if Farm Fresh has to close another of its lame "The Market" stores in the not so distant future. It would be good to run them out and get a Bloom instead.

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  • 2 weeks later...

So I have heard rumors of several new businesses coming to 35th street.

Kerouac Cafe (coffeehouse) has been open for a couple months now.

Seven Sisters Cidery claims to be opening a non-alchoholic cider bar in mid 2011 and I heard a rumor of an electric bike store, deli, and piano bar. We will have to see what actually comes through but it would be a good catalyst for further improvements to Park Place. I'm all about having a continuous area from Downtown, Freemason, West Ghent, Ghent, Park Place, and ODU where you don't have to worry about being mugged.

Norfolk is experiencing a rapidly growing alternative culture movement right now... Young people will flock to the city when the affordable housing becomes available.

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I don't know if affordable housing will happen. Old people / wealthy people can hold it hostage. Still some 9 million foreclosures expected, banks sitting on tons of inventory.

While it's AWESOME that there is more activity going on, I still hear people talking about moving out of the area all over. Of course some are moving to areas that are much more expensive than Hampton Roads but there are awesome job opportunities there.

I just checked out a neat building that is dilapidated and busted. Of course they want $650K for it. And there is little to no parking.

People gave PETA like 7 buildings in Hampton Roads as donations. All that, and PETA is leaving the area.

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I don't know if affordable housing will happen. Old people / wealthy people can hold it hostage. Still some 9 million foreclosures expected, banks sitting on tons of inventory.

While it's AWESOME that there is more activity going on, I still hear people talking about moving out of the area all over. Of course some are moving to areas that are much more expensive than Hampton Roads but there are awesome job opportunities there.

I just checked out a neat building that is dilapidated and busted. Of course they want $650K for it. And there is little to no parking.

People gave PETA like 7 buildings in Hampton Roads as donations. All that, and PETA is leaving the area.

When is PETA leaving? You've been saying that for months and I have heard that for years. Someone that works there told me that they were in DC (Maryland) and moved here because the rent was cheaper. When are they going?

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When is PETA leaving? You've been saying that for months and I have heard that for years. Someone that works there told me that they were in DC (Maryland) and moved here because the rent was cheaper. When are they going?

My friend said they laid off ~30 people in the past two weeks.

They now have an LA office with like 100 people and a DC office with perhaps the same number. I don't remember the numbers exactly but it was pretty high. Both of those offices are new. The LA one is so they can be near their major donors and all of that, the DC one is their lobbyists.

They are keeping some operations stuff here.

Friend said they are getting all corporate and it's not the same.

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My friend said they laid off ~30 people in the past two weeks.

They now have an LA office with like 100 people and a DC office with perhaps the same number. I don't remember the numbers exactly but it was pretty high. Both of those offices are new. The LA one is so they can be near their major donors and all of that, the DC one is their lobbyists.

They are keeping some operations stuff here.

Friend said they are getting all corporate and it's not the same.

So when you say "all corporate" does that mean paying staff with college degrees more than 22K a year?

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  • 2 weeks later...

Soya Sushi is opening a shop at the corner of 21st Street and Omohundro, sounds like its in the new 201 Twenty One building. I believe this will be the third sushi place in Ghent, hope they can all survive.

Jimmy Johns is opening another Norfolk location in the plaza across 21st Street from 201 Twenty One.

Also noticed a clothing store named "The Male Box" in the general area that appears to have replaced the RVA Oriental Rugs place. Looks to be a gay mens apparel shop, I think.

Luna Maya appears to be near opening it's new location Colley.

Additionally another coffeeshop has opened in the Freemason neighborhood. It's a self serve kiosk style joint at the corner of Dunkirk and Bute St. Not sure of the name as the sign just says "Coffee".

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I went to the Granby Grill today for lunch. Nice hot burger and fries. They sell burgers, chicken tenders, and sandwiches for less than $10. If they get a unique item to sell (a Granby Burger or something like that), i can see them getting a good following.

I noticed that place this past week and was wondering how long it has been there, perhaps I was over looking it. how big is it, it looks pretty small from the outside?

The new office building on granby that was converted from a hotel has two small retail spots that never get any attention. I think the one facing the street is rented by someone who buys text books. Not sure if it is temporary or whatever. The other side facing the adjacent street is still vacant as it has always been in my life time. I wonder why that is the case? Its a nice size area from what I can tell, I'm surprised no one has rented it out for a restuarant? It is a pretty cool set up.

The bootleggers is now club "Pure". I guess they serve 18 and up or really crappy on ID. My niece (in-law) told my wife she goes there and she just just just turned 18 in march. I didn't ask her how long she had been going, but she mentioned it.

I do not go out often (probably once a quarter), but I when I do, I do not want to party with my 18 year old niece, lol.

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Sorry guys, been away forever.

Can offer some (belated) feedback on HMSHost leaving the mall.

I left HMSHost in 2007, my counterpart left a month after I did, we were the store managers responsible for daily operations. Our boss, who was inept, made the decision to not replace us and go it alone. Service declined rapidly from that point, and our boss was demoted and shipped out to Florida. The company cut the number of managers on site in half, then in half again, then down to simply two to run all eight stores with little support staff. Since my counterpart and I left the mall had been flooded with complaints on service and otherwise, a short-term extensions was highly contested and ultimately approved (in 2009 - 2011). The mall did not want HMSHost back, but allowed them to use the declined to renew excuses as cover.

HMSHost ran itself into the ground. It's nothing lost and a shame of the legacy at one point we had left there in the mall.

*Unrelated*

Public House (old Magnolia) is still undergoing renovations, five months past their opening date with no end in sight. Rumor had them running low on funds with the massive overhaul required for an old building in Ghent to get it up to code.

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Renovations as I see was happening at the old Harry's BBQ on Granby, but I guess the results were art hanging in the window. Not sure if that is a front for construction that is happening in the back.

bootleggers has turned to club "Pure".

A new massage parlor is open on Granby, bootleg blinds, not very appealing at all.

Another boutique (Posh) open on Granby that sells urban clothing for females. They had some kind of model event there this past weekend.

There is more construction happening next to to that Boutique where the old mens clothing store was (forget the name), hope it is something nice.

219 and the irish pub seem to be doing well, but granby street pizza and jimmy johns seemed to reduce their hours.

Palace on Plum is open, from the pictures, it is very nice, building is unique.

Textbook sales business open on bottom retail floor of old hotel that is now a business tower on Granby.

Restaurant called "Bite" is opening in Wellsfargo (signage is up). Can someone confirm (Buffalo wild wings at Wellsfargo?)

Ikea is gone from the mall (old news I know, but I was in the market for a new platform bed).

I think they are starting construction on the other half of the library, it has been fenced and demolition is occurring.

Extra...

No world on Westin

Waterside still in limbo

Granby tower lot is now a grass lot with lights.

No word on Sp Quad.

New courthouse seems to be slated and still moving through

Not sure if they were government offices, but a strip of business facing waterside dr./boush is now empty.

No activity seen at Mission building or leaning building...

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  • 3 weeks later...

Which makes much more sense cause Ikea only opens up in massive warehouse buildings and are super selective about where they place them in regions.

I'll admit that I've traveled at least 3 or 4 times to their Potomic Mills location and bought several things from them including a bed frame. Wish they could open a location somewhere in the region but that's like asking the Feds to build Granby Tower themselves.

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AJ Gators on Granby has been closed. Has a sign on the door about unexpected renovations (yea right) and some sorta Realtor lock box.

Other friend was saying Time looked dead, but I'm not sure about this. I think it might have just been the end of the weekend?

Friends and myself are investigating opening a large classic arcade on Granby Street. Pinballs/classic games up to more modern stuff. No redemption, no chuck e cheese, etc. Thoughts?

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So when you say "all corporate" does that mean paying staff with college degrees more than 22K a year?

I have no idea what he makes but I assume my friend who has worked for them for a while is making $80K+.

He said they can't find good IT people. And they were offering real paychecks. He said it didn't matter, they just couldn't find people. He just left the area for California.

Dominion Enterprises is saying the same thing so they opened another office in Texas. But they don't have a history of paying well.

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AJ Gators on Granby has been closed. Has a sign on the door about unexpected renovations (yea right) and some sorta Realtor lock box.

Other friend was saying Time looked dead, but I'm not sure about this. I think it might have just been the end of the weekend?

Friends and myself are investigating opening a large classic arcade on Granby Street. Pinballs/classic games up to more modern stuff. No redemption, no chuck e cheese, etc. Thoughts?

Something like this? It has been enormously popular, mostly with the hipster crowd. Craft beers and quarter arcade games from the 70s and 80s. http://gothamist.com/2011/04/14/photos_inside_barcade_jersey_city.php#photo-1

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