French Bakery, Roger Brown's Among Latest Local Restaurant Closures

After over a century and a quarter-century in business, respectively, two iconic Hampton Roads restaurants have announced they are shutting down.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 4:55pm

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Norfolk's French Bakery & Deli, which has operated for 114 years, and Portsmouth's Roger Brown's, which has been open for 25 years, are the latest local restaurants to announce they are closing. The businesses cited different reasons, including lack of succession planning and challenges like tunnel tolls, the COVID-19 pandemic, and competition from a new casino.

Why it matters

These closures follow a string of other high-profile restaurant shutdowns in the Hampton Roads region, highlighting the ongoing struggles facing the local food service industry. Factors like staffing shortages, rising costs, and changing consumer habits have made it increasingly difficult for some longtime establishments to stay afloat.

The details

On Wednesday, equipment from inside French Bakery & Deli in Norfolk's Riverview neighborhood was seen being auctioned off. Owner George Habib previously cited a lack of someone to hand the 114-year-old business to as a reason for the closure. Meanwhile, Roger Brown's owner Curtis Lyons said challenges including tunnel tolls, the pandemic, and competition from the new Rivers Casino in Portsmouth all contributed to the decision to shut down the 25-year-old restaurant.

  • French Bakery & Deli in Norfolk announced its closure this week.
  • Roger Brown's in Portsmouth announced its closure this week.
  • Other high-profile restaurant closures in the Hampton Roads region have occurred in the last several months.

The players

French Bakery & Deli

A 114-year-old bakery and deli in Norfolk's Riverview neighborhood that is shutting down.

Roger Brown's

A 25-year-old restaurant in Portsmouth that is closing.

George Habib

The owner of French Bakery & Deli who cited a lack of succession planning as a reason for the closure.

Curtis Lyons

The owner of Roger Brown's who said challenges like tunnel tolls, the pandemic, and casino competition led to the decision to shut down.

Martha Davenport

The Executive Director of the Virginia Beach Restaurant Association who said the industry has been significantly impacted by economics and is still struggling with staffing.

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What they’re saying

“I would say it's been very slow for the whole entire year, and it's been impacted significantly by economics. We're still struggling with getting employees.”

— Martha Davenport, Executive Director, Virginia Beach Restaurant Association

“If you're a local and love your restaurant, you need continue to show it love.”

— Martha Davenport, Executive Director, Virginia Beach Restaurant Association

“We have grown and our community has grown larger and we're just so thankful. We never take it for granted.”

— Stella Pomianek, Owner, Cafe Stella

“There definitely have been misunderstandings about policy and it becomes online backlash.”

— Stella Pomianek, Owner, Cafe Stella

The takeaway

The closures of French Bakery and Roger Brown's, two longtime Hampton Roads restaurants, underscore the ongoing challenges facing the local food service industry. Factors like staffing shortages, rising costs, and changing consumer habits have made it increasingly difficult for some established eateries to stay in business, highlighting the need for continued community support and adaptation to evolving market conditions.