jeffconn

Buffalo Wild Wings downtown will open October 10. First 100 customers get free wings for a year!

Sorry. Having MAJOR Html issues with the above post. In a nutshell, a major reason the company is moving to downtown Norfolk is the Tide. Maybe this will get Virginia Beach to fast track extending the Tide to Town Center.

(Deleted. Had a HTML disaster.)

Another story on the planned extension(s). http://hamptonroads.com/2011/09/norfolk-start-planning-light-rail-extension-navy-base I have to wonder about the proposed Granby Street route. That would put the Tide at the back of the Naval Station near the (base) airport, far away from everything on base. Also, no discussion about a route to the airport (Norfolk International). [EDITED to clarify my comments.]

Actual retail in downtown that isn't in the mall? great news!

FYI, the Tide and the ferry were up and running on Sunday afternoon, but the buses didn't run until Monday. It should be easier to make a few docks and 7 miles of tracks fit for transit than all the streets in Hampton Roads.

11 am on a Wednesday at EVMC stop, the Tide was mostly full, no seats available. About 1/3 of the people riding got off at the end stop. Still a lot of joyriders. Even though it is awesome that there are so many riders, i can't wait until next week so maybe i can sit down on the Tide for a change.

My wife and I rode the Tide on Saturday, starting at EVMC around noon. We had a great time, and so did everyone else. It was like a bunch of roller coaster fans, who just keep getting on to the ride. We were going to get off at Newtown Road, grab some lunch and head back, but the lines at that station were insane. Who says Virginia Beach isn't ready for light rail? Downtown was pretty hopping today, and i'm sure that MacArthur Mall got a big boost from the Tide. We got off at MacArthur Square and ate at the mall. BTW, HRT really needs to put up some bus shelters at the affected Tide stops. The EVMC stop has 5 buses, making it a decent transfer station, but there's just a sign on Colley Avenue. No shelter, no benches, no trees, nothing.

I'm not riding on opening day, but my wife wants to ride the whole distance (and back) on Saturday, just to say we did it.

Two articles in today's V-P about the Tide. On Friday, there will protesters and supporters of the Tide at the Newtown Road station, and also in downtown Norfolk. http://hamptonroads.com/2011/08/rallies-against-va-beach-light-rail-mark-debut And, surprisingly, the Tide's construction costs will end up being $20 million LESS than the last prediction. http://hamptonroads.com/2011/08/tide-construction-end-about-20m-below-revised-budget Do yourself a favor. Ignore the comments after the stories. It's just too dang depressing.

New bus service starts this Sunday! Most of the new bus routes are posted on http://gohrt.com now. Norfolk routes are going through a big change. Route 310 is a goner. Route 4 becomes an hourly ODU/downtown shuttle. Route 17 (the NET) will start charging the normal fare and goes all the way to the Fort Norfolk Tide stop during rush hours and weekends. And the new Route 16 gives service between ODU, Colley Avenue and the Fort Norfolk Tide stop. Five buses will stop at the Fort Norfolk station, so it looks like Norfolk has a new bus transfer station.

Absolutely. I live near Larchmont, and i'll take #2 or #16 to the EVMS stop, then ride the Tide to TCC 5 days a week.

Looks like another new chain, Boardwalk Fresh Burgers & Fries, is coming soon to restaurant row, er, Monarch Way. According to Boardwalk's website, Daniel Wilke plans on opening 3 franchised restaurants in the Virginia Beach area in the next few years. There is already a coming soon sign on one of the empty Monarch Way storefronts. http://www.boardwalkfreshburgersandfries.com/index.php Sam's Texas Sub Shop doesn't seem to be affected by whatever issues San Antonio Sam's had. They are expanding their menu, adding chili and Sam's brisket sliders and other items. They are staying open later hours, and have an ABC notice for beer and wine on their front window.

And for the final end of the ODU monorail system. Tonight, July 19, i saw the monorail car towed down 44th Street, ready to move on to somewhere else soon. I assume, to be taken apart and scrapped.

Enrico's on north Colley is looking closed. This is what their website looks like now: Even though San Antonio Sam's is closed, the spinoff restaurant, Sam's Texas Sub Shop, is still chugging along.

Went to the Peppermill right after if opened. Good food, but pricey. 3 of us had breakfast for $42. The Eatery has been there for years. It's only open one or two nights a week. i THINK that it's part of the Wave bar. It's how the Wave gets around the ABC rules about serving food. Mama Jo's Pizza is delivery and pickup only. Excellent meatballs!

Reported by WTKR Channel 3, the Tide will start for REAL in August. All work is to be completed by August 1. http://www.wtkr.com/news/wtkr-light-rail-confirmation-date,0,7826755.story

The Norfolk Sharx have changed leagues before evening playing a game, as Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) and the United Soccer Leagues (USL) today announced a merger. USL Enters Into Agreement with MISL What this means is that Norfolk is now part of a league with 7 teams (or more), with the nearest rival being the Baltimore Blast. It is also looking good for the MISL/USL to have some sort of TV deal. The combined league will be much stronger than a first year league with just expansion teams. Some local TV coverage: Norfolk Sharx indoor soccer goes big league

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.

Apparently, the Tivest project if OFF again, and the city of Norfolk is off the hook for that money. I just spotted this on norfolk.gov: http://www.norfolk.gov/News/Press/prdetails.asp?PressID=2028

Well, i found out (after the fact unfortunately) that the press conference announcing the SharX was at Nauticus. They are hitting the ground running, as the SharX already have a website and official facebook page with a slick announcement video. Matches will be played at Scope, and the season will run from November to March. I've already subscribed to their email newsletter, being the soccer geek that i am. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvDZR7nnbXw http://www.norfolksharx.com http://www.fox43tv.com/dpp/hr_show/live-studio-audience-Norfolk-Sharx-20110124

There is a new club in town, the Norfolk Sharx. Led by Marcie Laumann (who owns the Hampton Roads Piranhas), the team will be officially announced at 1.35 pm Tuesday. Watch Sharx News Conference Live Norfolk to become I-League franchise Indoor soccer is played on a hockey rink with the boards up, and on turf. No idea where the press conference will be held.

The new Raising Cane's opened in the ODU Village a few days ago. Good chicken fingers, and the secret dipping sauce is awesome! It's on Monarch Way just a block behind the McDonalds on Hampton Blvd. Next door to it is the POD Market, which is essentially a convenience store for ODU students, because it takes the ODU meal plan. It has a deli, some fresh fruits and veggies, and even has sushi! But no beer or cigs, which is VERY odd for a convenience store near a college campus.

Harry's has been vacant for years. i don't know why that hasn't had a new restaurant move in. Nobody has rented out the 2 upper stories either.

Norfolk might end free NET downtown shuttle Now this stinks. I use the NET from the opera house daily.