It’s Wednesday, halfway through the week and you got this.

Today’s Weather: High of 51, and mostly sunny. No complaints there.

Here’s what we’re watching today:

🏛️ The Thrill of Crossover Bills

💡🍻 Innovation Socialized: Norfolk Kickback

🧥👖 The Wears Gone By: Two New Shops Highlight Old School Styles

📆 Next Three Days of Events

🏛️ The Thrill of Crossover Bills

What even is crossover?
On February 13th, the Virginia House and Senate will have to complete work on bills coming from their own chamber. Those bills that have passed their respective chambers now go to the other side. Thus “crossover.”

Why’s it matter?
The House and the Senate can only consider legislation that was already passed in the other chamber, so in theory, we know all of the bills that could become laws this year. You can now focus on legislation that has potential to pass, and disregard hundreds of other bills (till next year at least).

New this year:
Democrats control both chambers now, meaning much more could pass from both. With Republicans in control of the house the last two sessions, plenty of legislation made it out of one chamber and then died in the other. Governor Youngkin still holds veto power, so there’s still a chance a lot of bills still die.

What we’re watching:
Economic Development Sites
The minimum acreage for economic development sites that would be eligible for state site development grants used to be 100 acres. Few sites that big are found in Norfolk. The house has passed a bill that may remove the requirement all together for localities like Norfolk. HB233

City Council & Mayor Salaries
A bill removing salary caps for City Council members made it out of the House. If it passes, how quickly will Norfolk City Council set new salaries? HB 456

Food & Beverage Ratios
Virginia currently requires that most ABC license holders selling drinks with liquor get 45% of sales from food sales (I.e. not alcohol). New rules would eliminate the ratio for license-holders selling a least $10,000 in food per month. The ratio would drop to 35% for those selling between $4,000 and $10,000. SB168

💡🍻 Innovation Socialized: Norfolk Kickback

The Norfolk Innovation Corridor has been hard at work creating space for spontaneous connections to happen. The proverbial mixing pot for innovators, creators, professionals, and more.

Why it matters:
Innovation-related businesses are one of the largest drivers of economic growth in the country. But innovation doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Innovation typically comes out of technical community, cross-industry inspiration, an unexpected connections.

What actually happens:
It’s your pretty standard happy hour mixer from the outside: drinks, entertainment, chit chat. But inside, it’s filled with some of Norfolk’s most interesting people. Go to make new friends, catch up with peers, find a business partner, or just get the tea on the hottest businesses in the 757. The crowd is welcoming to everyone.

It’s the Norfolk Kickback, and it happens monthly at rotating locations.

The Next One:
Thursday February 29th, 2024
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Glass Light Hotel with live music by Governor’s School for the Arts students.
+ Free Drinks for the First 25 Attendees.

🧥👖 The Wears Gone By: Two New Shops Highlight Old School Styles

Two new retailers have hit the streets of NFK with clothing (and more) that feel reminiscent of different times.

Packed House NFK
Packed House landed on 21st St across the Fresh Market late last summer. They’ve stocked up their small slice of 21st with curated vintage clothing, home goods, knickknacks, and more. Boasting a huge jeans section, a ton of tees, a solid selection of old flannels, and practically a small record store, the vibes are decidedly decidedly warm and indie.

Every flip through the rack of tees reveals another recognizable brand, or sports team, or music fest. You’ll get lost in in the trip down memory lane recognizing items from years ago. It’s a journey worth taking.

Old Kings Road
Old Kings Road migrated from a Hampton location to Norfolk at the beginning of the year, landing on Colley Avenue near Lucky Devil Barbers, and Colley Ave Tattoo. Couldn’t ask for better neighbors.

Old Kings Road is focused on celebrating the vintage wear that was made with higher quality materials, real craftsmanship, and lasts damn near forever. The shop is filled with vintage motorcycle, military, work wear. Lots of it is union made, too.

The workshop in the back is just getting humming too. The shops bringing in Japanese denim, vintage canvas, and other material to craft their own small batch gear. Those should be hitting shelves soon.

Both carry a ton of menswear, which is surprisingly rare in local retail shops. So ladies, if you need a last minute Valentine’s Day gift, these might be your spots.

📆 Next Three Days of Events

Find a the best restaurant special Valentine’s Day menus, music, and more special holiday happenings in the BIG LOVE NFK: Valentine’s Day Mega-Guide. Rip it. 

WEDNESDAY:
Making a Living: Working and Teaching as Artists at Diehn Center. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
Black Cinema Night at Slover Library. 5:00 pm. Rip it. 
Wednesday Wordsmiths at The Muse Writers Center. 5:00 pm. Rip it. 
Fireside Jams performs live at Elation Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Super Casual Wednesday departing Slow & Steady Bikes. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Lovers Jar/Attraction Jar Make and Take at Aries Apothecary. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Boardgame night at Atlantis Games. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Valentine’s Day Tequila Dinner at Union Taco. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Norfolk Run Club Wednesday Meetup at Afterglow Brewing. 6:20 pm. Rip it. 
Valentine's Day Vow Renewals with Elvis at Hank’s Filling Station. 6:30 pm. Rip it.
Trivia Night at Smartmouth Beer. 6:30 pm. Rip it. 
Valentine's Sip + Paint with Pinot's Palette at The Ghent. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Planetarium Shows at Michael and Kimthanh Lê Planetarium. 7:00 pm. Rip it. Trivia Night at MJ’s Tavern. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Trivia Night at Torch Bistro. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Rom Com Trivia Night at Reaver Beach. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Bhav Brigade Yoga at Norfolk Karate. 7:15 pm. Rip it. 
Slow Flow Yoga at Wine Tasting at Eleanor's Bookstore. 7:15 pm. Rip it.
Beth Patterson performs live at Grace O’Malley’s Irish Pub. 7:30 pm. Rip it. 
The Viewing Room at Grace O’Malley’s. 8:00 pm. Rip it. 

THURSDAY:
Oil v. Water and Tiny But Mix Opening Reception at d’Art Center. 5:30 pm. Rip it. 
Tap Into Virginia Opera Beer,Wine, & Spirits Tasting at Harrison Opera House. 5:30 pm. Rip it. 
Thrilling Thursday Evening Ride at East Coast Bicycles. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Ghent Business Association Celebration at Martin Masion. 6:00 pm. Rip it. 
Ocean View Run Club Group Run / Walk at XXX. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Disc Golf Putting League at Smartmouth Brewing. 6:30 pm. Rip it.
Indie Lens Pop-Up: Breaking The News at Slover Library. 6:30 pm. Rip it.
Slow Flow With Live Jazz at Sky’s The Limit. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Michael Carson performs live at Brothers’s. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Garden Stars at Norfolk Botanical Garden. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Five Dollar Thursday: Harold Night at Push Comedy. 7:00 pm. Rip it. 
Beth Patterson performs live at Grace O’Malley’s Irish Pub. 7:30 pm. Rip it. 
ODU Rep Theatre presents The Revolutionists at Goode Theater. 7:30 pm. Rip it. 
Performers Playground Stage Workshop at The Venue on 35th. 9:00 pm. Rip it. 

FRIDAY:
Norfolk Run Club Friday Meetup at Yorgo's Bageldashery . 6:00 am. Rip it 
NBG Fido Fridays at Norfolk Botanical Garden. 9:00 am. Rip it
Writers Who Submit at The Muse Writers Center. 9:30 am. Rip it
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Elizabeth River Ferries VI and VII at Waterside Marina. 11:00 am. Rip it
Homeschool Science Fair at The Slover. 1:00 pm. Rip it
Sweets & Arts - Soap Making at Barron F Black Library. 4:00 pm. Rip it
Jackson Grant performs live at Cova Brewing Company. 5:00 pm. Rip it
Galentine's Hearts (Stained Glass 101) at 757 Makerspace. 6:00 pm. Rip it
Friday Night Commander at Atlantis Games & Comics. 8:00 pm. Rip it
Zach Desocio performs live at Elation Brewing. 6:30 pm. Rip it
Path to Freedom at Hugh R. Copeland Center. 7:00 pm. Rip it
Carlton Baker Vocalist performs live at Brothers. 7:00 pm. Rip it
Friday Night Magic - Draft at Atlantis Games & Comics. 7:00 pm. Rip it
Casino Royale at Town Point Club. 7:00 pm. Rip it
Murder Mystery at Granby Theater. 7:00 pm. Rip it
Padfoot and Spirit Gun at The Taphouse Grill. 7:00 pm. Rip it
Profantica, Nunslaughter, Tombs, and Local TBA at Riffhouse Pub. 7:00 pm. Rip it
LAVA Presents: The Sand Tones, Work Wear, Feminine Death at Chicho's Pizza Backstage. 7:00 pm. Rip it
History That Doesn't Suck at Attucks Theatre. 7:30 pm. Rip it
The Norfolk Word Art Show: An Open Mic at The Muse Writers Center. 7:30 pm. Rip it
Norfolk Comedy Festival at Chrysler Hall. 8:00 pm. Rip it
The Viewing Room at Generic Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it
Loud,Proud, & Seasoned with Lemon Pepper & Sazon at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it
Norfolk Comedy Festival at Chrysler Hall. 8:00 pm. Rip it
Ian Munsick performs live at The NorVA. 8:00 pm. Rip it 
Beth Patterson Plays at Grace O'Malley's Irish Pub & Restaurant. 8:30 pm. Rip it
Lovers and Friends Dance at Joseph Echols Hall. 10:00 pm. Rip it 

Interested in sharing an important story or advertising with us? Contact us here.