Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Why a beloved Ghent fair trade shop had to close its doors
And on the Norfolk Patch calendar - New Year's Eve Live! Norfolk
Hi Norfolk! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Why a beloved Ghent fair trade shop had to close its doors
- How strict are Norfolk’s hidden limits on water pollution?
- How a federal order could stall Norfolk’s offshore wind ambitions
Also on today's calendar: Noon Years Dave & Buster's Virginia Beach and 7 more events.
Find out what's happening in Norfolkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: What two things can you never eat for breakfast? . 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Norfolkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Monday: Cloudy, showers around; windy, with a high of 63 and low of 31 degrees.
- Tuesday: Cooler; breezy in the morning, temps: high: 42, low: 31.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 46 and low of 37 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Norfolk fair trade shop closes despite efforts to make it work, owner says (pilotonline.com) — A fair trade boutique on Colley Avenue in Norfolk’s Ghent neighborhood, Maison Soleil, has closed after struggling with rising costs and shrinking customer spending. Owner Lindsay Sims describes pouring savings, marketing efforts, and community events into the shop before falling behind on rent, and now urges neighbors to support small local retailers as she prepares to welcome her first child this spring. 
• Pollution limits protect Hampton Roads waterways year-round: Here's how they work (13newsnow.com) — Norfolk residents live under year-round pollution limits that protect local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay, shaping everything from road runoff to what you put on your lawn. Experts based in Virginia explain how Total Maximum Daily Loads work, why wetlands matter, and how everyday choices here in Hampton Roads can affect drinking water, fisheries, and the regional economy.
• Offshore wind developer sues feds over stoppage (qconline.com) — A Virginia offshore wind developer based out of Norfolk is asking a federal judge to block a Trump administration order that abruptly halted construction of its project and several others over national security concerns. While some text is garbled, the story centers on how this legal fight could affect the future of large-scale offshore wind development tied to Hampton Roads’ port and maritime economy.
📸 Around Norfolk
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Norfolk
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- New Year's Eve Live! Norfolk
Waterside District, 333 Waterside Dr, Norfolk
7:00 pm
Wednesday December 31
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Write Now! at Slover Library
The Muse Writers Center , 2200 Colonial Avenue, #3 , Norfolk
5:00 pm - Noon Year's Eve
Norfolk, VA Calendar , 3500 Granby Street , Norfolk
9:30 am - Noon Years Dave & Buster's Virginia Beach
Dave & Buster's Virginia Beach , 701 Lynnhaven Pkwy , Virginia Beach
10:00 am - Early Eve Extravaganza at Dave & Buster's Virginia Beach
Dave & Buster's Virginia Beach , 701 Lynnhaven Pkwy , Virginia Beach
3:00 pm - Wednesday Wordsmiths!
The Muse Writers Center , 2200 Colonial Avenue, #3 , Norfolk
5:00 pm - New Year's Eve Casino Night
Dave & Buster's Virginia Beach , 701 Lynnhaven Pkwy , Virginia Beach
9:00 pm - Queer Writers Meet-up @ Eleanor's NFK
Elanor’s Norfolk , 801 Boush St Unit B , Norfolk
10:00 am - Architectural Review Board
Norfolk, VA Calendar , 810 Union Street City Hall - 11th Floor Conference Room , Norfolk
4:00 pm - Wednesday Wordsmiths!
The Muse Writers Center , 2200 Colonial Avenue, #3 , Norfolk
5:00 pm
Tuesday December 30
Wednesday December 31
Saturday January 3
Monday January 5
Wednesday January 7
📣 Norfolk Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Galberry Rd closure
Chesapeake, VA Calendar , Galberry Rd , Chesapeake
8:00 am - Deck the Hall
Chesapeake, VA Calendar , 306 Cedar Road , Chesapeake
5:00 pm - Byte Size Basics @ Carrollton
Blackwater Regional Library, Carrollton Branch , 14362 New Towne Haven Ln , Carrollton
4:00 pm - Write Now! at Slover Library
The Muse Writers Center , 2200 Colonial Avenue, #3 , Norfolk
5:00 pm
Monday December 29
Tuesday December 30
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Norfolk PatchAM possible:
- ABC Supportive — (757) 664-9058
Meet the Director: Charlene Wimbish, CEO of ABC Supportive – - Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Hey ppls I’ve come across a beautiful boy who has been lost he has AirTag finder but AirTag is gone now he is safe and is around warmth food and another lil pitty to play with…hope to find his owner…plz reach out with some proof of this being your
dog plz he’s very friendly nd I either wanna find his home or give him a new one (Nextdoor Ghent) - Update: owner found!
I just found two black pit bull mixes is anyone looking for their dogs or recognize them?? Colars but no identification tags (Nextdoor Wards Corner)
- Bridge/Tunnel Stoppage: WB on I-64 I-64 Tunnel-HRBT W in Norfolk. All WB travel lanes closed. 9:40AM (X: 511hamptonroads)
- Update: Disabled Vehicle: WB on I-64 I-64 Tunnel-HRBT W in Norfolk. All WB travel lanes closed. 2:06PM (X: 511statewideva)
- Costco Wholesale Corporation posted a job opening for Stocker in Norfolk. Apply here.
- Levi Strauss & Co. posted a job opening for Seasonal Stock Associate in Norfolk. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Norfolk here.
🗞 Nearby News
Portsmouth
- Portsmouth emergency teams respond to water emergency off Crawford Parkway (wavy.com)
- Ring in 2026 across Hampton Roads (pilotonline.com)
- Warriors Heart wants those in uniform to get help (wavy.com)
Hampton
- Stony Brook visits Gaines-Wyatt and Hampton (apnews.com)
Ok Norfolk! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Lunch and dinner. (From Norine S.)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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