Riverview revival: New development in Norfolk neighborhood includes former theater

When Riverview Theater opened in Norfolk in 1947, it boasted state-of-the-art amenities for the time: 700 seats, postwar air conditioning and an indoor box office, allowing patrons to stand inside out of the weather while purchasing tickets.

A notable feature was its “cry room” — a place where mothers with crying children could watch the film without disturbing other audience members, according to an advertisement from The Virginian-Pilot archives.

Almost 76 years later, the theater has been closed for years, and its historic façade is fading.

Yet, the theater could soon have a new life as an event venue as a wave of recent development has brought several new businesses to the Riverview Village neighborhood.

“This is a rebound,” said John Childers, co-owner of MJ’s Tavern at 4019 Granby St. “It’s growing exponentially.”

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MJ’s co-owner plans to purchase theater, transform it into event venue

Childers, with a few other partners, is in talks to purchase Riverview Theater. The plan, he said, is to turn the former movie theater into an event space for live bands, performances, drag shows, weddings and perhaps movies.

Childers first became interested in the property in late 2019, when he connected the theater owners with the Generic Theater, a local theater company currently housed underneath Chrysler Hall.

“I wanted something in it because it will help the neighborhood,” Childers said.

Unfortunately, the pandemic hit, and the company was unable to successfully raise money to renovate the structure, Childers said. So, with the backing of several other partners, Childers hopes to close on the property soon.

The historic theater has lived several lives since opening in 1947. In the 1960s, the theater played the “The Sound of Music” for 115 weeks, according to former Pilot movie writer Mal Vincent. According to Pilot archives, one concessions stand worker saw Julie Andrews climb the Alps 917 times.

In the 1970s, the theater property became a home for X-rated movies. It later turned into an alternative music venue, hosting acts such as Quiet Riot and Def Leppard.

Childers said he was particularly fond of the cry room, and said he planned to turn it into a upstairs VIP area.

The property still needs a lot of work before it is in any shape to be opened, he said. The drywall and ceiling will need to be replaced, and the water and electricity also require repairs. If everything proceeds on schedule, he hopes the property will be open by August or September next year.

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New York-style pizza place opens in former Blanca cafe spot

Riverview foodies with dreams of Big Apple-style pizza are now in luck.

Lo Mo Pizzeria, a small pizza place in the former Cafe Blanca spot at 4117 Granby St., opened Friday.

Co-owner Chris Carr, a former Chesapeake Public Schools teacher, met his business partner Coti Brown while the latter was working at the original Blanca restaurant.

Carr said pizza has been in his life from an early age: His family held pizza nights where they baked a pie, and during the pandemic, he began trying to perfect his parents’ recipe.

A chance meeting with Coti during the pandemic sealed the deal.

“We just like, hung out on a whim one night and we’re like, ‘OK, let’s make some pizza together,'” Carr said.

So the pair have now settled down on Granby Street, where they will be slinging 16-inch pies in a space with both indoor and outdoor seating. Carr expects takeout to be a big part of the business — and he envisions customers grabbing a drink while they wait for their pizza.

Lo Mo Pizzeria is open 4-9 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday.

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New lunch spot has canine-centric theme

Just a couple blocks away, a dog-themed lunch restaurant at 4140 Granby St. is beginning to take shape.

Called Pittie Dog Grill, the restaurant is the work of hotel general manager Larry Sauger and Sentara Norfolk General Hospital transplant coordinator and husband Karl Neumann.

Facing down retirement in a few years, Sauger said the time was right for them to take a chance on owning a restaurant.

“So, if I’m going to do something, it’s got to happen now and the space was available,” Sauger said.

Last week, the former Capt’n Crabby space was abuzz with contractor activity as crews worked on repairs. The restaurant will be a classic burger and hotdog lunch spot, Sauger said, with a charbroil grill, fries and milkshakes.

The business is named after the pair’s two pit bulls, Ivan and Nutmeg, and Sauger hopes to incorporate an advocacy element into the business revolving around adopting animal shelter dogs.

Sauger hopes to open the restaurant in late July or early August.

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Legrand Kitchen finds new home on Granby

A staple of north Colley Avenue is now finished moving to Riverview Village.

Legrand Kitchen, a mix of seafood, steaks and other American dishes, moved to 4226 Granby St. after being priced out of its former location, said chef and owner Stephen Marsh. The owners of the former location wanted to sell the building, and Marsh balked at the price.

So, he decided to purchase the Granby Street building and move there, a conscious decision to remain in the neighborhood he loves. The larger space has also allowed him to debut a cocktail menu and a bar.

As for food, Marsh said he is continuing seasonal staples from Legrand and Shiptown, his former seafood place in Highland Park. Items include crudos, oysters and “old-school double crab.”

Legrand is open 5-9 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday and 5-10 p.m. Friday to Saturday.

Trevor Metcalfe, 757-222-5345, trevor.metcalfe@pilotonline.com