NORFOLK, Va. — A popular Virginia Beach-based brewery is expanding into Norfolk’s growing Railroad District.
Wasserhund Brewing Company is set to open its third location in the former District Apizza building on 24th Street. The move marks another milestone in the revitalization of the eclectic business corridor, which city leaders say has been years in the making.
“It really starts to solidify again the brand of who Norfolk is — and that continues to be kind of this whole cultural hub of the region,” said Sean Washington, Norfolk’s Director of Economic Development.
Washington said the project also fits squarely into the city’s broader redevelopment plan for the Railroad District.
“It started almost over a decade ago,” he said. “It still is, I will say, a very, very vibrant kind of industrial-based business district.”
He explained how the area has changed over time, balancing redevelopment with economic vitality.
“What the community has been able to do is figure out how do we drive private investment in terms of actually taking some of the antiquated industrial boxes and converting them into residential uses,” Washington said. “With the residential counts also comes, once again, the retail demand... because retail wants to go where the rooftops are.”
Washington said the new brewery is a natural fit in a neighborhood that’s grown to include restaurants, fitness studios, artists, and light industrial businesses.
“To be able to bring back — and I use that word ‘bring back’ — a retailer in the food and bev space that really complements the Railroad District is really exciting for the city to see here,” he said.
He also pushed back on a narrative that traditional retail is struggling.
“Sometimes you hear this narrative that, you know, retail is dead,” he said. “With the closing of District Pizza, it definitely hit the community and the city... but once again, to have an established brand come back and backfill that particular facility sends a really, really strong positive signal.”
Co-founders Aaron and Christine Holley, who opened Wasserhund in 2015, say the expansion to Norfolk happened naturally.
“The Railroad District is an awesome spot. They’ve really grown that area to include some really great businesses,” Christine said. “I think we can help and grow and bring more people into that area.”
Wasserhund, which also has locations in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake, is known for its German-style beers, wood-fired pizza, and family-friendly vibe.
“We are super excited to build not just one business, but now moving into three businesses, all within Hampton Roads, because this is our home, and we plan to make it our home and our kids’ home, and hopefully our grandkids’ home, that would be awesome,” Christine said said.
The Holleys hope to open the Norfolk location in October, though the timeline will depend on permits and licensing.
“We don’t want to rush it, by any means, because we want it to open right,” Christine said. “But we also don’t want to sit on our hands at any point, so we’ll work as quickly as possible.”
The couple says they’re especially excited to bring fan favorites — like the Pickle Pooch hot dog — a little closer to customers in Norfolk.
Washington says the city expects to see more announcements in the months ahead.
“We’re starting to see the plan executed at its highest quality,” he said. “It really starts to identify Railroad as a place.”
