Dear Newcomers:
Welcome to South Norfolk! We’re glad you’re here!
We invite you to join our community and attend South Norfolk Civic League meetings at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at the South Norfolk Community Center, 1217 Godwin Ave. in Portlock.
South Norfolk Neighborhood Watch meetings are good, too. Please see our section on MEETINGS for dates and times of these meetings and others.
Here is more information for newcomers:
NOTE: This is a partial list of resources in South Norfolk. Listings are not meant to be endorsements.
Please drive around and see what South Norfolk has to offer. We urge everyone to support our South Norfolk friends, neighbors and community by shopping locally first!
WHERE IS SOUTH NORFOLK?
South Norfolk is about 3 miles south of the City of Norfolk, just across the Elizabeth River. South Norfolk, once an independent city, merged with Norfolk County to form the City of Chesapeake in 1963. South Norfolk was never part of the City of Norfolk.
Coordinates: 36°47′40″N 76°16′20″W
ZIPCODE: 23324
POST OFFICE: 1210 Poindexter St. Open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., except for holidays.
There is another Post Office in Portlock,1103 Godwin Ave, Chesapeake, VA 23324, open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to noon, except for holidays.
WHERE THE HECK IS PORTLOCK?
Portlock is named after the Portlock Family, early area settlers. Portlock used to be a small village, but the City of South Norfolk absorbed it when South Norfolk was an independent city. Since there is no real border any more, there is some debate among locals as to where exactly Portlock begins and ends. Generally speaking, heading south on Bainbridge Boulevard, Portlock begins at about Freeman Avenue on Bainbridge Boulevard and ends down toward the Triple Decker.
WHAT’S THE TRIPLE DECKER?
The Triple Decker is a three-level overpass structure that goes over Bainbridge Boulevard just south of Portlock. This area, as well as the area near Bainbridge and Freeman, is prone to flooding. Don’t go that way after a big rain.
TRASH
Trash collection is on Thursdays in South Norfolk. Please call for bulk pickup if you need it. It’s free for up to 12 requests per year, and some neighbors say the city is not strict about charging. So if there is bulk trash on the side of the road near your house, please call it in for pick up. Use the address where the bulk trash is located.
Bulk trash collections must be scheduled by phone (382-2489) no later than 5 p.m. the Wednesday before your Thursday collection day, or before 11:59 p.m. if you’re scheduling online.
CLICK for more information on bulk pickup. There are fines for leaving bulk trash out for too many days without collection.
ELECTRIC POWER
Dominion Power supplies electricity to our area. (866) 366-4357. Customer service is available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday – Friday.
NATURAL GAS AND OIL
If your home uses gas or oil, Pallet Heating and Cooling is located in South Norfolk, (757) 545-5569, at 3321 Bainbridge Blvd.
CABLE
Call Cox, (757)389-5080 for new service, or visit cox.com.
FiOS is not yet available in the Historic District as of September 2017.
SOUTH NORFOLK BUSINESSES
HARDWARE: When you move, repair, and customize, you will need things. Chances are good that whatever you need is available at Creekmore Hardware, 1303 Bainbridge Blvd., at the corner of Bainbridge Boulevard and Jefferson Street. (757) 545-5332. 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Closed Sundays.
GASOLINE AND DELI: Just across Jefferson Street from Creekmore’s is Sam’s Stop-n-Shop where you can get gas, freshly fried chicken, other prepared deli items and convenience store products. There are more stores, restaurants and gas on 22nd St. and Bainbridge Boulevard.
RESTAURANTS: South Norfolk’s selections are growing! Jamaican Jerk Hut, 906 B St.; McDonald’s, 1401 22nd St.; Dunkin Donuts, 1336 Poindexter St.; Mak’s Chinese Restaurant,1330 Poindexter St.; DeWald’s Diner, 3199 Bainbridge Blvd.
LIBRARY: Located in the Gateway Building at the corner of Poindexter and Bainbridge. Aside from books and media, there are also meeting rooms available by reservation or first-come and a nice quiet cafe with sandwiches and drinks. Parking is tight in this area at times.
LAKESIDE PARK: Built in 1933 by unemployed residents with $140,000 in Public Works Administration funds secured by the chairman of the committee to develop a park in that location, this is considered by many to be South Norfolk’s crown jewel.
Pavilions can be reserved for a fee by contacting Chesapeake’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. Otherwise, they are available, first-come, first-served. Alcohol is not allowed. Trash cans are provided for your convenience.
There is a nice playground for kids.
Fishing is allowed. Dogs on leashes are allowed. (Please bring bags to pick up after your dog).
Swimming is not allowed.
The park is open sunrise to sunset every day of the year.
To read more about the history of Lakeside Park in an August 2017 Virginian-Pilot article by Raymond L. Harper, local historian, CLICK HERE!
FOURTH OF JULY: On the Fourth of July, South Norfolk hosts Chesapeake’s only Fourth of July Parade and Picnic in the Park.
Residents on the parade route and on the exterior detour road of Seaboard Avenue will have to move their cars from the streets by 8 a.m.
When July 4 falls on a Sunday (next in 2021), the parade will be held on the following Monday.
Everyone is invited to get involved by decorating homes or participating in the parade, or by volunteering to help your neighbors on the Fourth of July.
The South Norfolk Civic League will be seeking food and beverage vendors, craft vendors and community vendors (non-profit groups) to help us celebrate Independence day.
CONTACT YOUR CIVIC LEAGUE
Please use the “Contact Us” page to let us know your interests!
MISCELLANEOUS
Quiet hours 10 p.m. – 6:30 a.m. Please do not allow your dogs to bark all night. This is a violation of quiet hours in the Historic District.
Questions on our laws? Check the Chesapeake city code:
https://library.municode.com/va/chesapeake/codes/code_of_ordinances
Parking: Street parking is allowed as marked. It is illegal to block sidewalks and driveways, or to park on the medians between sidewalk and streets.
Driving: Please drive carefully in South Norfolk; like your kids lived here. Many of our streets are old, narrow, and bumpy. No one will mind and your car will thank you for driving SLOWER than the speed limits of 35 and 25.
Walking: Please walk on the sidewalks rather than down the middle of the streets.
Dog Walking: Please keep dogs (cats, pigs, what-have-you) on a leash, and carry bags so you can pick up after your dog.
Crime Prevention: Please reach out and get to know your neighbors. We feel this is the single most effective crime deterrent in our community. Join our community groups. Don’t leave anything of value in your car, your yard or on your porch. Lock your cars. Take your keys. Trim hedges. Use motion-activated porch lights. Call CPD for a free whole-home safety check.