5 days ago
VB Oceanfront businesses hopeful for busy summer season
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Oceanfront businesses are hopeful for a busy summer season on the horizon as its unofficial start came with the sunset of the Memorial Day weekend.
'It's like Virginia Beach's comeback summer,' said Heidi Stephenson of Ocean Eddie's. 'It's a lot of people down here. We have a lot of events that are going on. It's really going to bring the community together.'
Expectations are high for the summer season at the Oceanfront.
'The boardwalk area is so beautiful,' said visitor Ryan Brady. 'It's a cloudy day out here today, but still [it's] so awesome to see so many people.'
Even with large crowds, people have packed their patience.
'Everyone has been so understanding and patient, especially with the crowds at every single restaurant being absolutely jam-packed, said Ocean Eddie's employee Madeline Wallace. 'Everyone has been so understanding and nice. It's VB. That's all I can say. It's VB.'
From the restaurants to the fishing pier, businesses were busy with the influx of tourists and visitors this Memorial Day weekend. Even with the large crowds, many still took time to remember what this holiday is all about: honoring the men and women in uniform.
'Just showing them love because I feel like they don't get enough love in the world today, so we just try to give them the love that we can — and that's our effort, our time and love,' said Ocean Eddie's employee Juh-Daar Sawyer.
Visitor Zach Nipper said he is 'very thankful for what they have done and what the friends and families of them have done in the past too.'
It was a safe weekend too. Officials hope that continues.
'At 6 p.m. we go from, on a regular day, from 41 stands down to 15,' said Tom Gill, chief of the Virginia Beach Lifesaving Service. 'Always move your family in front of that lifeguard stand that is staffed and ready to go and when the lifeguard's not here, [it's] probably not a good time to go in the water.'
Fun times are predicted to roll all summer long.
'Just come out and enjoy a great summer down here at Virginia Beach,' Gill said.
Said visitor Jake Arnold: 'Hopefully they can continue doing that during the summer months.'Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
