These Hampton Roads restaurants recently closed because of COVID-19
As Hampton Roads moves past the latest delta variant wave of the coronavirus pandemic, some casualties of the local restaurant industry are left in its wake.
Since peaking on Aug. 31, the seven-day average of new COVID-19 cases in the region has dropped more than 57%, according to Virginia Department of Health data. Vaccination rates, too, have steadily climbed up during that time period.
Even among the successes, some businesses are still suffering, and several local restaurants have closed permanently. Owners say a mixture of staffing shortages, food costs and other pandemic-related difficulties have made it impossible to stay open. Here are some of the eateries that have recently shut their doors for good.
Yannas’ Taverna
Julie Yacobi has been operating Yannas’ Taverna, a Newport News Greek restaurant on Warwick Boulevard, since 2016 when she purchased it from the original owners. On Saturday, Yannas’ will serve up its last orders of gyros, kebabs and other classic Greek dishes after eight years of business.
The restaurant has been struggling with a staffing shortage for months, Yacobi said. Her original staff of 11 people has been whittled down to just four employees. She said it’s impossible for her to compete with fast food franchises and other restaurants who can afford to raise wages in order to attract more workers. Yacobi said personal health issues were also a factor.
The owner said she will miss her customers the most.
“I have built many relationships with many of the people that come in here,” Yacobi said. “They’re part of my family.”
As for future plans, Yacobi plans to take a month off before looking for another job herself.
Lil Bit Nola Ghent
Lil Bit Nola Ghent is now closed, restaurant operators announced in a Sept. 29 Facebook post. The Norfolk location of the New Orleans-themed restaurant shuttered after less than a year in business, opening in Dec. 2020.
“The impact of the pandemic on costs and labor has been insurmountable,” the Facebook post reads. “We are deeply saddened and will miss all of you.”
The restaurant at 21st Street in Ghent had featured a rooftop bar. The Virginia Beach Lil Bit Nola, located on Princess Anne Road near Mount Trashmore, is still open seven days a week.
Clementine’s at Riverview
Clementine’s at Riverview, a dinner and brunch joint near the Virginia Zoo, closed for good on Oct. 3 according to a Facebook announcement. In another post, owner and chef Rick Fraley thanked every guest who chose to eat and drink at Clementine’s.
“This has been a time of deep reflection and a flood of wonderful memories of the last five years of my life,” Fraley said in the post.
Fraley, who also operates The Ten Top restaurant in Ghent, opened Clementine’s in 2017.
Rick & Libby’s
Rick & Libby’s on Warwick Boulevard in Newport News announced the “difficult decision to close our doors” in a Sept. 23 Facebook post. The restaurant’s last day of business was Oct. 3.
In a note posted to Facebook, co-owner Rick Lugent thanked each of the restaurant’s employees and praised their tenacity and dedication.
“We have learned a lot from them throughout our journey here at Rick & Libby’s,” Lugent said.
Rick & Libby’s served up breakfast and lunch fare like omelets, sandwiches and desserts created by the owners. The business got its start when Lugent and Libby MacDonald took over Mike’s Place, the neighborhood Irish pub with a 33-year-history, in 2014.
Trevor Metcalfe, 757-222-5345, trevor.metcalfe@pilotonline.com
