UPDATE: Greenies will now stay open until Monday, Sept. 10.
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Greenies Beach Bar and Grille in Ocean View will officially close on Sept. 5, according to their Facebook.
“It’s time to say goodbye to the Oldest continuous operating Bar in Virginia. We are grateful for the years of loyal support from our Friends and Party-Goers,” said another Facebook post by Greenies.
During his State of the City address in March, Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander announced the city would be buying the Greenies property and the Oceanview Diner property with the intention to expand access to the beach in the area.
A city spokeswoman told 10 On Your Side Friday that reports of plans to make the property a parking lot were inaccurate, and the city would work with residents on redeveloping the five-parcel site.
An online petition to save the “hometown bar,” started by resident Michelle Willoughby, gained over 1,500 online signatures. The petition states that if the city tears down the old bar, it will “adversely impact the families and employees of said establishment with deep community and military ties.”
Both properties were owned by disgraced Norfolk businessman Ronnie Boone, Sr. who’s now on house arrest. He was found guilty of felony convictions of bank fraud and bribing former Norfolk Treasurer Anthony Burfoot in 2016.
Norfolk will pay Boone $2,000,000 for Greenies at 196 W. Ocean View Avenue, and pay Boone and co-owner William Willits $350,000 for the Oceanview Diner property located at 1006 E. Ocean View Avenue.
