THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 21, 1995 TAG: 9509180299
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SCOTT McCASKEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
Granby Row merchants couldn't have asked for a much better response to a kickoff party announcing their official arrival in downtown Norfolk. More than 2,000 revelers showed up for ``Opening Night On Granby Row'' the evening of Sept. 14.
Closed for walk-up traffic only, the 100 block of the Granby corridor between Main and Plume streets was often elbow to elbow. A mix of business types, locals from the restaurant circuit and a few students sipped on beer and wine, ate, and listened to live jazz. A roaming fire-eater displayed his unusual appetite.
``This is very nice,'' said Ann Mostiler, who works in downtown Norfolk. ``It reminds me of parties in Richmond.''
Some people wore coats and ties. Many dressed in shorts and T-shirts. Men's - and women's - cigar smoke drifted through the 25 to 50-something crowd.
``Outside of the hurricane, this is one of the busiest days of the year,'' said Charlie Brown, manager of Emerson's Fine Tobacco, nestled in the middle of the block.
The Granby Row Committee had planned the party for several months. Mailers and posters were sent out to publicize the event.
``We really didn't know what to expect,'' said Mary Baker, a member of the committee and owner of the street's Norfolk Stationery Co. ``We thought it was a tremendous success. A lot of people seemed to be having a lot of fun, and the store traffic was great. We did two-thirds as much business in three hours as we'd done all day.''
When not chatting or flowing to the rhythms of the band Against All Odds, partiers went store-hopping. Palmer-Rae and Zeitgeist art galleries had steady streams of traffic. Open Wide restaurant was packed.
``It's always good when you have 3,000 people outside your front door,'' Open Wide owner Phil Haushalter said.
Merchants and event sponsors got lucky with the weather as well. There were no tents and no rain date. Although the night was a little humid, the skies were clear.
There were few complaints about the affair. A couple of guests said that there was not enough of a food selection. The Ocean Gourmet and No Frill Grill were the two vendors. Following the event, Open Wide was so busy that some people couldn't get to the bar.
``The party was great, but Open Wide only had two bartenders and the crowd was four rows deep,'' Norfolk native Chuck East said.
``We only have a certain amount of space and storage facilities,'' Haushalter said. ``If you have too many bartenders they'll be tripping all over each other.''
The corridor is the oldest stretch of street in downtown Norfolk. The once decaying buildings have been restored by landlords and business owners over the last three years. The west side of the street's turn-of-the-century architecture, with detailed relief work, brick and masonry, helps create a historic and cosmopolitan feel. The site is a prime spot for a block party.
``Obviously we can't hold another opening night, but there's already a lot of interest in using the space in the future,'' said Cathy Coleman, executive director of the Downtown Norfolk Council, which helped produce the event. ``It's a very intimate location, and there will be a lot of opportunity to showcase it.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARTIN SMITH-RODDEN
A view from above ``Opening Night On Granby Row.''
by CNB