NORDSTROM
But among all the options in restaurant-dense downtown, why is this cafe — a monument to walnut and taupe wrapped into a chain department store — so special, and so loved?
In part, of course, it’s a link to history, a tether to the now-fading ideal of the high-end department store as a seat of sophistication. Like MacArthur Center as a whole when it first opened, the cafe is a symbolic center of Norfolk’s aspirations for itself.
But the cafe in Norfolk is apparently more special than most. Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander says Nordstrom executives told him that even in an underperforming store, the cafe was a success story known throughout the company. “It had received great accolades, great marks,” Alexander remembers.
“A lot of people will say the cafe has kept the store alive for a long time,” says cafe sous chef Jonathan Urena. “We’re consistently busy — for lunch, business never dies. In the evening, people see it as kind of the starting point for their night.”
It’s also a repository for memories. In Bon Appetit in 2016, writer Rachel Tepper Paley described a generation of mothers and daughters bonding at Nordstrom cafes all over the country: “I never went alone or with girlfriends,” Paley wrote. “Only with my mother.”
We asked readers to share their own memories at Nordstrom — the good and bad times, and of course the trips with Mom and Grandma. Responses have been edited for space and clarity. they are in town, and where I meet friends to catch up on our mutually busy lives.
I will surely miss it — hate to lose the store, but can we keep the cafe?” — Ann Ackiss, Virginia Beach
“There is a special magic (and admittedly nostalgia) as I walk through the café doors and take in the pleasant sights of the food sitting right in front of me, the friendly, attentive staff, and the attractive, comfortable surroundings. Whenever family visits, that’s where we head after several hours of shopping. It continues to be the highlight of my day oftentimes. I will miss it terribly.” — Karen Whitmore, 70, Norfolk
“Any day I had off would be spent in the cafe for lunch looking out on St. Paul’s Blvd. This is the only place I would come and eat alone and feel comfortable. I would joke and tell my sisters that somebody would think I am on lunch break and not just alone with no friends (lol). Seriously though, I will miss the friendly staff there and delicious food!” — Stephanie Staton, 62, Norfolk
“It was the closest place to eat after my divorce was finalized by the Norfolk Courts. I was still shaking from all that happened in the courtroom, but sitting at their bar at the window, watching life continue on below just helped put life in perspective. Life keeps going. I don’t even remember what I ate.” — Jennifer Cheney, Norfolk
“I met the love of my life in Nordstrom Café! I was actually an employee of the restaurant at the time. I had the biggest crush on a makeup artist at the MAC counter. I wasn’t courageous about it, however. I was far too intimidated to ever approach her. It was a co-worker of mine who ended up relaying the message to her. Turns out, she had her number already written down ready to give to me but she was too nervous to give it to me! We’ve been dating now for the past 4 years as of this past December and we couldn’t be happier! I will always be grateful to Nordstrom Café for being the bridge to my love.” — William Andrulot, Colorado Springs
“Throughout those years, there has been one constant, and that is Gwen, the ‘salad lady.’ She has always been there with a smile and a cheerful hello. She has been a bright light during every visit, and has helped make every lunch a special one, with her cheerful disposition and delicious salads. I will truly miss her, and thank her for her remarkable service.” — Sara Gay Freed, 74, Virginia Beach
“Hats off to all the café managers over the years and to the staff for providing our region with such an outstanding place to relax and enjoy delicious food, alone or with family and friends.
Hats off especially to Gwen, who has worked as a salad maker since the first day the Nordstrom café opened.” — Karen Whitmore
“Some customers, if Gwen’s not there, they’re not getting a salad — they know what her days off are. A server named Maurice, he’s been there for a while — he’s an excellent dude, one of the best servers I’ve ever worked
Jonathan Urena
“As silly as it sounds, I am mourning the closing of the cafe. When I was first starting to practice law as a public defender, I had two co-workers I became very close to. We would go to the cafe once a week and dubbed it “ladies who lunch.” We would discuss our cases, our dreams. It was such a special time. Even though we are all in private practice now (I am partners with one of those friends!), we still go to the cafe for “ladies who lunch.” It has the feeling of days gone by and will be missed.” — Tiffany Crawford, Norfolk
“I started taking my granddaughter, Elizabeth Grace Bussey, to Nordstrom Café when she was 12 years old. She felt so grown up and always dressed up for our special time alone at the Nordstrom Café. We looked over all the fabulous food offerings through the glass but every time we ordered the same turkey, bacon panini to share, a cup of tomato basil soup, and a fabulous chocolate dessert once again to share. One Christmas I even gave her a panini maker as well as the soup, so when she went away to college she would have fond memories of our Nordstrom times together. Elizabeth is a junior at James Madison University now and whenever she comes home on break, we always carve out time for a trip to our favorite café.” — Kathy Kofron, 74, Virginia Beach
“Ever since it’s been open, the day after Thanksgiving, our family all meets there. We’re up to 15 people — they’re coming from Blacksburg and Richmond, they’re cousins and grandpas and grandmas and aunts and uncles. The youngest is a 3-year-old. Now we’re all discussing: Where will we go?” — Wanda Brooks, 82, Virginia Beach
“The Nordstrom Cafe has been wonderful and the people have always been amazing, but my favorite memory is my son’s tile. At the entrance to the Norfolk Nordstrom cafe are a dozen or so sea creature tiles made by local children. It was a benefit for Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters, and my wife, Vickie, signed our son up to make a tile. Nelson made the green sea monster tile in less than three minutes, and we left thinking we will never see it again. To our amazement, the tile is the closest to the cafe and our family always stops to reminisce about that special childhood memory.” — Jim Beale, Norfolk
“My mom and I were there the first day it opened. I have so many memories there with my children, ages 12 and 8. When I found out I was pregnant with my first child, I took my mom to lunch and announced I was pregnant, and then we went shopping in the baby department. It was there that she decided to retire from the Hampton Roads Sanitation District. It was a place where memories were made. Awesome people made us feel like family, and handed out those delicious chocolate candies after every meal. I am going to have to break it to my 12-year-old son that we will have to drive an hour and half to Richmond for his favorite Nordstrom peach iced tea.” — Wendy Creekmore-Porter, 43, Virginia Beach
“My 70-year-old grandma and I eat at Nordstrom Café every time we visit to get clothes and shoes. We hate for it to shut down. So we will go one last time or two to enjoy it. Our favorite thing to get there is their tomato soup. It is so delicious, we even take home a jar! Every school year I get my school and play shoes from the shoe store there. I really enjoy it and I really wish I could put a stop to shutting it down. I hope you agree. It is really enjoyable to get treats from Nordstrom. I really enjoy it and I know other people do too. — Carson Ludford, 9, Virginia Beach
“I grew up in an era when Norfolk restaurants were segregated. Yet our mother, a teacher and a single parent, took us out to eat once a month in the ‘60s to the few places that served black patrons. When the Nordstrom Café opened in 2002, we again had a special place to visit after church: a place with great food, a wonderful view and attentive service. She loved the baked salmon and vegetables; my love was the Chinese chicken salad; my daughter always had the pasta. We got to know the servers by name. Felt like a home away from my kitchen. Seven years ago, our mother developed dementia and refused to go out much at all. But if we mentioned the Nordstrom Café, she usually made herself ready to go. She passed away in 2017 at the age of 94, but her love for the Café experience was well known in our family. I will be a patron until the door closes. Please don’t go!”— Eunice Joseph, 71, Norfolk Matthew Korfhage, 757-446-2318, matthew.korfhage@ pilotonline.com