Doumar’s Cones and Barbecue on Monticello Avenue in Norfolk, Aug. 23, 2022. Abe Doumar opened his first ice cream stand in 1905, and in 1907 launched Norfolk’s in Ocean View — a location chosen for the beach. The Monticello shop didn’t open till 1934, after the great 1933 hurricane heavily damaged the amusement park at Ocean View.
Doumar’s, iconic Norfolk diner, prepares 4th generation to carry on its famous waffle cones
Doumar’s Cones and Barbecue on Monticello Avenue in Norfolk, Aug. 23, 2022. Abe Doumar opened his first ice cream stand in 1905, and in 1907 launched Norfolk’s in Ocean View — a location chosen for the beach. The Monticello shop didn’t open till 1934, after the great 1933 hurricane heavily damaged the amusement park at Ocean View.
Thad Doumar, front, scoops ice cream into a cone while his nephew Hunter Windley walks behind, on Aug. 3, 2022. Windley will one day take the reins of the famous spot, becoming the fourth generation in the family to own and operate it. “There’s a joke that you aren’t allowed to retire from here until you’re at least 80,” he said. “So that means I still have a few more years left ahead of me.”
Thad Doumar pulls a waffle off the iron before rolling it into a cone June 17, 2022. Doumar’s sells souvenir jars of waffle cones if they do not sell out.
Hunter Windley fields questions from onlookers while making waffle cones Aug. 3, 2022. He explained the history of the landmark restaurant and how its iconic cone dates to 1904 at the St. Louis World’s Fair.
Waitresses convene at the takeout counter inside Doumar’s.
Sakiah Myricks carries milkshakes and ice cream to patrons June 17, 2022.
Cammi Sanchez, who has worked at Doumar’s off and on for almost 18 years, carries a tray back inside on June 17, 2022. Many on the wait staff have worked there for multiple years.
Doumars originally opened with a stand at the Ocean View Amusement Park in 1907 because of the popular vacation destination. The current location did not open until 1934, when founder George Doumar searched for a higher elevation within the city to avoid devastation from flooding.
Walter Bryant, left, and Jim Graziadei enjoy a meal at Doumar’s on Aug. 3, 2022. Graziadei has been coming to Doumar’s for years, and now enjoys taking his grandson.
Thad Doumar works from his office at Doumar’s in Norfolk, Virginia on Aug. 3, 2022. Thad Doumar is the third generation in the family to own and operate the business.
