Name of Owner
Albert Doumar, Thad Doumar and Randy Windley
Year you opened for business
In Norfolk, 1907. At our current location, 1934.
How would you describe your business?
Sandwich and ice cream diner/drive-in
Briefly describe your typical client/customer.
Value conscious, in search of a good, tasty product at a fair price.
What is one thing most people do not know about your business that would surprise him/her?
We serve beer also.
What do you enjoy most about doing business in your district/community?
I enjoy interacting with people on a daily basis. Every day is different, and our customers range the entire income spectrum, so I can get a nice picture of what is going on in the community at any one time.
What do you enjoy most about doing business in Hampton Roads?
We live in a unique region with the change of the seasons, but buffeted from most of the sever weather challenges other areas of the country often have. We have a nice friendly community of locals, and there is a can-do attitude of optimism present.
What challenges do you face as a business owner?
There is always new competition in the industry, but I view it as a challenge and a way to see how others approach the execution of their business. There is always something new to learn, and I try to be aware of the changes that we can use in our business. I am always trying to become more efficient, so that we can serve others better.
What’s in store for your business in the future?
I am behind the curve on web presence and want to establish an online selling presence to allow us to sell souvenirs and ship products nationwide.
What could local government do to help small business owners in your business district (besides lower taxes)?
If local governments could work better together, the whole region would benefit. Our localities seem so parochial, and a larger city with sever borough-like New York would really go a long way to putting this area on the national map. If each locality would work together, the entire area would really profit.
What is one thing your business district needs?
Road construction/reconstruction seems to be a constant. The same roads often are worked on time and again as different needs are addressed. An oversight commission might smooth out some of these road projects so that more needs are satisfied at a time, and less road closure would result.
