NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – Following the city's crackdown on nightlife in downtown Norfolk, local leaders and business owners say entertainment is more or less dead in the area.
Following several shootings in the area, including the deadly shooting at Chicho's in 2022, the city has stepped up its crackdown on bars and clubs.
NEON District co-founder Charles Rasputin disagreed with the decision, saying the clubs are not a major cause of violence and are actually some of the best ways to teach young people life lessons about consent and responsibility.
“Without the club, you can't have those conversations,” Rasputin said. “People will just enjoy it and won’t even be able to govern it.”
He told 10 On Your Side that he believes the lack of nightlife is due to negligence on the part of city leaders.
“I think we really need to think about the future,” he said. “While new innovations and technologies continue to emerge, such as gamification and the advent of casinos, we are still stuck in the past. If we don’t, we will be failing our children.”
Some business owners along Granby Street, such as Philip James of PJay's Kitchen, agree with Rasputin.
“I don't think there's much to do here,” James said. “That's why we close at 7 o'clock.”
He said new restrictions on outdoor seating would further diminish the downtown atmosphere.
He told 10 On Your Side that business owners must pay for seating that is installed to comply with spacing guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We have more outdoor seating than inside, so this is very important to the success of my business. So hopefully, whatever happens, if they charge us… , I would have to pay.”
In response, a Norfolk City spokesperson issued a statement saying: “So far, establishments with streets have not paid rental fees to the city. The city is contacting each establishment regarding outdoor dining operations, as we work with businesses on a case-by-case basis. , there is no deadline for compliance at this time.”
They also released a statement regarding the nightlife in the area, saying: “Downtown is vibrant and offers opportunities for residents and visitors to have fun. Downtown is home to a number of municipally and privately owned entertainment facilities. These facilities host a variety of special events, concerts, and other events throughout the year. The city recently held a well-attended seminar with late-night entertainment for entrepreneurs and business owners interested in obtaining a conditional use permit.
