The last day at Rockafeller’s brought family, friends, locals and folks from out of town for one last meal at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront restaurant this month.
It was both a happy day and a sad day, owner Elizabeth “B.J.” Baumann told a customer wishing her well.
Her late husband, Frank Baumann, founded the business in 1989 but died 10 years later.
B.J. Baumann was vice president of a hotel management company with thousands of employees. She resigned and led the restaurant until its closing.
“We had a one-year-old son, at that point, and I had two other children from my previous marriage, and there was no way that I could continue with my job in the hotels and with the responsibilities there,” she said. “I raised all three of my children in this restaurant, and I say I’ve raised a whole bunch of other people’s children in this restaurant, as well.”
It’s time to move on to the next chapter, though. She wants to spend time with family and with other interests. She’s been a longtime leader in associations related to the hospitality industry, and for years led the city’s Resort Advisory Commission.
It’s been a great run working the front of the house, as restaurant workers say, and filled with memories.
“I have so many customers that 27 years ago they were coming in here with small children,” she said. “And I have watched their families grow, and I’ve seen their kids, you know, graduate from high school. I have seen the Sweet 16 parties. I’ve seen the college graduations and the bridal showers and the rehearsal dinners all through these families. And what a gift that is to be able to share.”
Throughout the final day, people from Rockafeller’s past return for one last meal,photos and hugs with Baumann as well as her family and the staff.
Guests included people who have celebrated a range of milestones. There were employees who met and married while working there and generations of customers.
A. and Lakeshia Floyd brought their two young daughters on the final day. The couple had their first date here. Now they’ve been married 11 years.
“She gave us a special place here in Virginia Beach,” Lakeshia Floyd said.
Tracy and Brenda Jones got engaged at the restaurant while Tracy Jones was celebrating a birthday in Virginia Beach with his friends and family.
“He was nervous,” Brenda Jones said. .
So nervous she didn’t immediately know what he was getting at.
“It didn’t click until I pulled out the ring,” he said.
They traveled from Dinwiddie County for a final meal at Rockafeller’s.
Sean Shahnia, a Rockafeller’s server for more than 25 years, worked his final shift. He saw many friends and regulars over the course of the day. He isn’t sure what’s next for him, but he’s loved it all along.
“It was the best place then, and it is now, too,” Shahnia said.
The food was great, he said, and people made the place.
“The people, actually, that work here,” he said. “We built a relationship and we were sort of friends and family.”
Baumann said Rockafeller’s was part of the community.
“I want us to be remembered as family-friendly and that we had high quality, consistent food and service throughout our life,” she said.
The restaurant is closing, but Baumann is keeping the Rockafeller’s name and recipes. They may have another life, though it isn’t clear what exactly that may be.
The last table seated on the final night went to a young couple. It was Christian and Giezel Ong’s first time here. She heard it was closing.
“We need to try their food, at least,” Giezel Ong told her husband.
She’s glad they came.
“It’s our first time and it’s sad we can’t come back because this is the last day,” she said.
Shahnia brought them a piece of chocolate eclair pie. The Ongs have a baby boy on the way, their first. Shahnia congratulated them and left them to share dessert.
