Welcome to The Mermaids' Porch Bed & Breakfast

The Mermaids Porch Bed and Breakfast is located in the heart of historic Olde Towne Portsmouth.

Get a taste of history at this circa 1898 Queen Anne Victorian home, the new Mermaid's Porch Bed & Breakfast is located in the heart of Olde Towne Portsmouth's historic district.

Sip a glass of wine at their complimentary wine and cheese afternoon social hour. Full, three course breakfast is prepared daily with a changing menu so you won't be served  the same main dish each day (unless you request it). Local meats from Smithfield and fresh produce from the Portsmouth Olde Towne Farmers Market will be used in preparing these delectable dishes when available and in season.

The dining room of the Mermaids Porch B & B.

The B & B amenities include a living room with working fireplace (and a cord of firewood for those chilly winter nights). The room is filled with Victorian era antique furniture and accessories. The adjacent parlor room offers cable TV and a variety of board games for home-style entertainment. An upright piano is also available if you choose to play a song or two. Enjoy sitting in brick-paved private courtyard for relaxing, reading a book and dining Fresco. Also, the beautiful Greenwich Park is located just across the street on the adjacent Olde Towne corner. The property is decorated throughout with art and furnishings purchased by the innkeeper during here years of worldwide travel during here naval career.

The Mermaid's Porch Bed & Breakfast is conveniently located just a short walking distance to the Historic High Street corridor where you will find an abundance of fine dining and pubs, antique shops, art galleries

The High Street corridor is located

just a short walking distance away 

offering an abundant selection of 

pubs and restaurants, antique shops, 

art galleries and unique shops to 

choose from.

and unique stores, the famous Commodore Theatre and four museums including the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame, the Children's Museum of Virginia and the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum. Enjoy changing art exhibits at the Portsmouth Arts & Cultural Center that also holds free music venues the first Friday of each month. The Portsmouth Olde Towne Farmers Market is held each Saturday (from early spring through December) It is also just a few blocks away from the Portsmouth Visitors Center and the  North Street Ferry landing that takes you to downtown Norfolk.

About the Innkeeper

Dawn Richardson is a retired Navy Supply Officer who has traveled the world during her career. She was a restaurant manager prior to going into the service and has a Bachelors Degree in Restaurant, Hotel and Institutional Management from Purdue University. An exceptional chef and caretaker, Dawn will delight you with southern hospitality and a warm embrace for the weary traveler.

Enjoy sitting in brick-paved private courtyard for relaxing, reading a book and dining Fresco.

Here's the details

The Mermaids' Porch Bed & Breakfast
497 North Street (on the corner of North & Dinwiddie)
(757) 673-3790

email: dawn.richardson.usn@gmail.com

http://www.mermaidsporch.com/

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Mermaids-Porch-Bed-and-Breakfast/715652278499887

http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/va-portsmouth-themermaidsporchbedandbreakfast-page.html

http://hamptonroads.com/2014/11/welcome-mermaids-porch-bed-breakfast

The Olde Towne  experience has been treasured by visitors the world over-an opportunity to shop our fine antique shops, visit our galleries and unique specialty stores, enjoy excellent dining, both indoors and out in one of our many fine restaurants and pubs. Discover all of the magic yourself.
Discover Olde Towne Portsmouth!

A Restaurant With A View

757 Crave on the Harbor offers panoramic views of
Norfolk, Virginia's waterside and the Elizabeth River.

By Joe Elder
A recent article in the Virginian Pilot titled "Fresh food - and air: The best outdoor eats in town" written by Holly Van Auken, July 11, 2014, features places around Hampton Roads to get your eat and drink on- outdoors, that is. Here the reporter has selected some of the best. Included of course are some of the most likely candidates and those with ocean views top the list. A surprise entry- well, not so surprising to us, is 757 Crave on the Harbor. 757 Crave is located at the Tidewater yacht Marina here in Olde Towne Portsmouth and features exceptional panoramic views including downtown Norfolk's waterside and a wide expanse of the Elizabeth River and the marina too. Diners from this focal point typically are drawn to the hardworking tugboats maneuvering around, piloting large container ships as they travel down the river, and occasionally, views of naval vessels from submarines to aircraft carriers!  You will also see a barrage of personal yachts of all types and sizes passing by. That is because 757 Crave is located next to the "0" mile marker of the Intracoastal waterway. Enough about the views.

757 Crave on the Harbor is located at Tidewater Yacht
Marina, Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia.

The main reason that people frequently visit 757 Crave is because of their unique, delicious food entrees offered breakfast, lunch and dinner. The restaurant is also a favorite place to meet with your friends for drinks and live music on Thursday nights and Sunday afternoons. 757 Crave is also a short walking distance from weekend music events, so take in a great music act and then chill out on the deck at 757 Crave on the Harbor! You can visit portsvaevents and peruse through the schedule of upcoming events.

757 Crave on the Harbor
10 Crawford Pkwy., Portsmouth,
757-966-7919
www.757cravers.com

Olde Towne FirstEvents Features Opening Reception, Free Music & Much More!

Thank goodness spring has finally arrived and has luck has it, good weather for this weekend’s Olde Towne Portsmouth FirstEvents. Held the first full weekend of each month, Olde Towne Portsmouth's business community and the City of Portsmouth Museums offers free concerts, events and activities including the Olde towne Antiques to Flea Market, free museum admissions, an exhibit opening and a lot more. Here’s a listing of some of the events available to you during April’s Olde Towne Portsmouth FirstEvents weekend!

Friday, April 4

Concert In the Courtyard - Free Music Series

5PM - 8 PM

Celtibillies & Good Foot Dance

Enjoy music in the courtyard from the Celtibillies & Good Foot Dance. Presented by the Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center and PortsEvents. Admission is free as part of our First Weekend programming series. Corner of High & Court St. , 393-8543

Friday, April 4

Changing Appalachia: Custom to Cutting Edge

Opening Reception: 5PM – 8 PM

Drawing from an abundance of natural resources from the Appalachian region, artists and artisans adapt the heritage of mountain culture by assimilating new ideas and innovating on the old to create dynamic craft and visual art.  The exhibit offers maps, photos of the region, paintings, glass, textiles, ceramics and baskets to showcase the diversity of the region.

Admission is free as part of our First Weekend programming series.

Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center

Olde Towne Antiques to Flea Mark

Saturday, April 5

Olde Towne Antiques to Flea Market

10AM - 2 PM

Held inside the Middle Street Garage, corner of London and Middle Street.

Great finds of all kinds! The Olde Towne Portsmouth Antiques to Flea Market is this Saturday. Antiques to Flea Market Visit the Olde Towne Portsmouth Antiques to Flea Market the first Saturday of each month and hunt through the eclectic collection of unique and antique wares. With over 70 dealers and vendors exhibiting, you will discover a great selection of antique and estate furniture, architectural antiques, china, silverware, art and prints, sporting gear, musical instruments, books and ephemera, hand-made crafts and toys, as well as decorative accessories and flea market items of all types and one-of-a-kind items priced to sell. Free Admission & Free Parking.

Olde Towne Business Association

Don't forget that Olde Towne has some of the best antique shops, art galleries and specialty stores anywhere in Coastal Virginia and beyond. Great shops and nurseries for your spring gardening too! Top it off with a delicious meal in one of Olde Towne's chef-owned and run restaurants. Make a day or a complete weekend of it and discover what Olde Towne has to offer!

Bank of America MuseumsR on Us

Saturday, April 5th  9 AM - 5 PM

Sunday, April  6th  11 AM - 5 PM

The Children's Museum of Virginia is proud to participate in the Museums on Us® program sponsored by Bank of America, which provides cardholders FREE access to some of the nation's finest arts, cultural and educational institutions during the first full weekend of every month. For details, visit  http://www.childrensmuseumva.com/bank-of-america-museums-on-us.html

Family Fun and Activities at The Children’s Museum of Virginia:

221 High Street

757-393-5258

www.childrensmuseumva.com

Saturday, April 5

Noon - 4 PM

Nano Day at the Children's Museum

Participate in experiments check out interactive demonstrations and meet the scientists who bring this cutting-edge technology to our everyday life.  Your eyes will be Huge after seeing these activities about this small-scale science!  Co-hosted by Norfolk State University. Included with museum admission. Free for members.

Treehouses - Look Who's Living In Trees!

On display NOW – May 17 at the Children’s Museum of Virginia

Spend some time hanging out in the trees. Immerse yourself in an indoor tree house and explore first hand who lives in trees. This traveling exhibit is on loan from Sciencenter- Ithaca, New York and was developed by EEC! The Environmental Exhibit Collaborative. Included with admission. Free for members.

Saturday, April 5

2 PM at The Commodore Theatre

421 High Street

The Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center Presents STORIES & SONGS: Appalachian Ballads and Ballad Books

Book-signing and Presentation with Sharyn McCrumb, Katie Hoffman, and Jack Hinshelwood

In coordination with PACC’s Changing Appalachia exhibit, the Commodore Theatre will host award-winning Southern writer, Sharyn McCrumb, who is best known for her Appalachian Ballad novels including many New York Times Best-Sellers such as The Ballad of Frankie Silver, She Walks These Hills, The Ballad of Tom Dooley, and St. Dale, winner of a Library of Virginia Award. McCrumb will be joined by Katie Hoffman and Jack Hinshelwood for a discussion on ballads and ballad books. To make reservations or for more information, please visit the Gallery Shop at 420 High Street or call 757-393-8543.

Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center

Crackerjacks and Grand Slams

10 AM - 5 PM

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum and Lightship Portsmouth Museum

2 High Street on the Portsmouth, Virginia Waterfront

757-393-8591

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum

Come and discover the history of baseball in Portsmouth!  Did you know Portsmouth had its own Cubs team?  Who were the “Truckers” and how did they get that name?  Come on “in-ning” and enjoy crafts and activities celebrating a true American pastime.  Admission is free as part of our First Weekend programming series.

First Sunday Breakfast, Brunch or Lunch

Enjoy liesure Sunday dining in one of Olde Towne's exceptional restaurants. Olde Towne Portsmouth has become well-known for it's selection of outstanding dining establishments.  Call your favorite Olde Towne Restaurant today for details!

Click here for a list of Olde Towne Portsmouth restaurants

Brutti’s Brings “Ameri-pean” Ambiance and Cuisine to Olde Towne Portsmouth

By Guest Blogger
Toi M. Wilson

Since 1993, Brutti’s has served as a regional attraction by luring patrons from throughout Hampton Roads to Downtown Portsmouth for its European-inspired classic American fare.  Over the past two decades, the restaurant has become synonymous with impressive accolades like Brutti’s famous BagelNutz and renowned Sunday Brunch.  In addition to bringing patrons to Olde Towne, owner Charles Greenhood takes the show on the road with Brutti’s Catering – expanding the business footprint as far as Williamsburg and Franklin for special events and weddings.  Having spent over 20 years in Portsmouth as a restaurateur and with over 40 years of experience, Charles brings a special “Ameri-pean” ambiance to the City and a story of entrepreneurship that will certainly leave a good taste in your mouth.

Brutti's "Ameri-pean ambiance in Olde Towne Portsmouth, VA.

Today’s Brutti’s opened at 467 Court Street fourteen years ago, and it all started with a dynamic journey beginning in Churchland and winding its way back to Olde Towne by way of the West Indies.  Prompted by the 1986 closing of Greenhood’s, a family business in Churchland, Charles moved to the West Indies and operated an ice cream and frozen yogurt shop for four years.  Charles subsequently returned home to Portsmouth to open Brutti’s Bistro.  As the orders grew, the thirty seat bistro grew out – and over to 467 Court Street.  Brutti’s as we know it today is a beautifully styled restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and the famous Sunday Brunch.  The inspiration for the styling comes from one of Charles’ favorite New York City eateries – the Balthazar Restaurant.

Brutti’s has continuously evolved and is more than a restaurant.  On Friday nights the restaurant becomes a comedy club from 9:00 to 11:00 pm featuring local and national acts, including comedians from the famous Los Angeles Laugh Factory.  The banquet space available for private parties, wedding receptions, or corporate events is some of the most expansive and stunning on the east coast.  The three-story venue features two ballrooms and a penthouse lounge suite area which can, in total, accommodate hundreds of attendees with state-of-the-art audio/visual equipment under Swarovski crystal chandeliers – a real gem for the City and the region.

Brutti's sidewalk dining on Court Street in Olde Towne Portsmouth, VA.

For more information about BangelNutz, Sunday Brunches, Friday night Comedy Night, or to make reservations for your next special event, contact Brutti’s at (757) 393-1923.

Toi Wilson is a local economic development professional with private-sector, finance and banking experience, and academic background of finance and public administration. She is an economic development analyst for the City of Portsmouth, Virginia. Toi’s position focuses on local economic development for urban municipality. Development of business retention and expansion strategies, professional representation and marketing of the City of Portsmouth, event coordination and planning, analysis of financial reports and legal documents.

Olde Towne Portsmouth Virginia Holidays and Events Will Include the Bizarre, the Wacky and the Weird!

There's so much to celebrate here in Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia.

That's right! Olde Towne Portsmouth Virginia is celebrating bizarre and unique holidays as well as daily, weekly and monthly events observed throughout the year. Each day we plan to post and observe all of the holidays, special, bizarre and wacky days, and weird events too- just about any and everything that we can conger up. Why are you doing this you ask? That's because every day is a great day in Olde Towne and worth celebrating...you wouldn't want to be left out, would you? There is so many people to meet,  places to see, and things to do.

So let's celebrate because everyday is a great day to be in Olde Towne Portsmouth! Follow our daily postings on our Facebook page by following this link- Olde Towne Portsmouth Shopping & Dining 

12 Historic Squares of High Street- Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia

History of High Street
Portsmouth was founded as a town in 1752, on 65 acres of land on the shores of the Elizabeth River. The town was founded by William Crawford, a wealthy merchant and ship owner who at various times had held office as the Norfolk County presiding court judge, high sheriff, militia lieutenant colonel and representative to the House of Burgesses. Because of his militia service, he is frequently referred to as "Colonel Crawford." The 65 acres were part of Colonel Crawford's extensive plantation and were constituted as a town by an enabling act of the General Assembly of Virginia.

Portsmouth gets its name from the English naval port of Portsmouth, England. The town was laid out checkerboard style with 122 half-acre lots around its town square at High and Court streets. Streets were organized in a grid pattern with street widths alternating between 32, 50 and 100 feet. Each block or square was named for noted Virginians, Englishmen, or places in England or the United States.
Streets were named similarly. High Street was named for the main commercial corridor in Portsmouth, England. It is 100 feet wide, with two narrow parallel streets of 32-foot widths (Queen and King streets), located to the north and south. Narrower streets served as alleys for High Street, facilitating the access to commercial buildings from the rear.

Towne Square historic marker on High street.

Still standing is the original downtown intersection that the city's founder, Col. William Crawford, dedicated to public use -- one corner each for a church, a market, a courthouse, and a jail. In fact, Trinity Episcopal Church on the southwest corner -- founded in 1762 -- still rings its bells across the street from the 1846 Courthouse that now serves as a museum. With six districts listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places, Portsmouth is a history lover's paradise.


Walking Tour
If you head west on High Street, you’ll find shops, restaurants, and museums. The Children’s Museum of Virginia and the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame face each other on opposite sides of High Street, offering fun exhibits and interactive activities for people of all ages.

Commodore Theatre

At 421 High Street, you’ll come across the Commodore Theatre. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and Virginia Landmarks Register, this old-fashioned theater was built in 1945 and was at the time considered the best-equipped theater in Hampton Roads. Today, the Commodore Theatre has been meticulously restored and continues to be a popular place to catch the latest films.
After checking out the theater, head back east on High Street to the corner of Court Street and High Street, where the city’s founder created a town square. In the original layout for Portsmouth, these four corners were designated for a church, a market, a courthouse and a jail.
On the northwest corner, you’ll see an imposing Greek Revival building, surrounded by a wrought-iron fence and nearly hidden behind the massive oak trees that shade its courtyard. Built in 1846, it served as the Norfolk County Courthouse until 1960. Now it is home to the Courthouse Galleries, an art museum with two spacious galleries of ever-changing exhibits. From the original hand-colored lithographs of John James Audubon to the 17th-century engravings that depict some of the earliest images of Virginia Indians, the Courthouse Galleries museum continually strives to promote a greater appreciation and understanding of the arts.

A Tour of the 12 Merchant Squares of Historic High Street

Colonel Crawford leads a tour up High Street.

Heading West from the Elizabeth River to Effingham Street.

Bloomsberry Square- bounded by Crawford, King, Middle and High Streets- named for Bloomsbury, a district of London, England.

Market Square- bounded by Middle, King, Court and High Streets. In 1752 when Colonel William Crawford established the town of Portsmouth he designated part of this square for a market, hence the name, although a market was never erected at this location.

Church Square- bounded by Court, king, Dinwiddie and High Streets. When William Crawford, founder of Portsmouth, laid out the street plan in 1752, he designated the intersection of High Street and Court Street as the town center and set aside space for a parish church. In 1761, when the Vestry of Trinity Church was formed with Crawford as a member, the original church building comprised most of what is now the nave.

Dinwiddie Square- bounded by Dinwiddie, King, Washington and High street. It was named for Robert Dinwiddie (1693-1770), lieutenant-governor of Virginia, 1751-1758.

Cheshire Square- bounded by Washington, King, Green and High Streets. It was probably named for the English County of Cheshire.

Montgomery Square- bounded by Green, King, Effingham and High Streets. It may have been named after Robert Montgomery (1736-1775), brigadier general in Continental Army who was killed leading the assault on Quebec, or it may have been named after the Herbert family, hereditary Earls of Montgomery.

Heading East from Effingham Street on High Street towards the river.

Washington Square- bounded by Green, High, Effingham and Queen Streets. It was named after George Washington (1732-1799), commander–in-chief of Virginia troops, 1775, and of all Continental troops, 1775, first President of the United States.

Anderson-Wright at Devonshire Square.

Devonshire Square- bounded by Washington, High, Green and Queen Streets. Named after the English County of Devonshire.

Oxford Square- bounded by Dinwiddie, High, Washington and Queen Streets. Named after the well known street in London, England.

Prison Square- bounded by Court, High, Dinwiddie, and Queen Streets. It was so named because Crawford in 1752 had designed part of this square for the erection of a prison.

Courthouse Square- bounded by Middle, High, Court and Queen Streets. Crawford designated part of this same square for the erection of a court house, hence the name Court House Square.

Golden Square- bounded by Crawford, High, Middle and Queen Streets.

Whether coming to visit or an afternoon or an extended stay, historic Olde Towne Portsmouth offers a break from the ordinary. Olde Towne offers
superb shopping and exquisite dining along the High Street corridor
that makes up the 12 historic squares laid out in 1752 by Col. William 
Crawford, the city's founder. Visit Olde Towne's fine antique shops, 
remarkable specialty stores and sophisticated art galleries. Dine in
Portsmouth's exceptional selection of fine restaurants, cafes, bistros and 
pubs for a delectable experience. 
The merchants and restaurant here in Olde Towne are committed to
making your visit as memorable as it is rewarding, showing your that the 
heart of our quaint historic seaport is based on the enduring distinction of 
fine customer service.

Olde Towne Portsmouth; Every Day Is Small Business Day

Anderson-Wright is an example
of the unique shops in Olde
Towne Portsmouth, VA.

O.K., hopefully you have seen advertised during the past few years; a campaign promoting Small Business Saturday, the Saturday that follows Thanksgiving requesting your support of local small stores as a consideration to your holiday shopping experience.  That’s great and kudos to American Express for getting behind this and for marketing to all the need to support your local small businesses. But for small business communities like ours, we simply cannot survive on the once a year marketing program or the occasional local "city held" events to bring people downtown, to shop, dine and experience our quaint historic seaport and hopefully frequent our businesses enough to keep our doors open and stay in business. So, if you haven’t heard this stated before then I’ll state it again: we the small business owners, the mom-and-pop shops and restaurateurs that make up our city's downtown are in business everyday and every day is a small business day.

"When you buy from an independent, locally owned business, rather than nationally owned businesses, ... you strengthen the economic base of the your community.”

Unique shops and specialty stores are the staple of Olde Towne Portsmouth shopping experience.

This blog is written to help support the entrepreneurs, the small businesses that are the engine of our local and national prosperity and a proud reflection of Olde Towne Portsmouth and our Nation’s character. “From our unique mom-and-pop storefront shops that anchor High Street and offer unique merchandise or special services customers can't find in big box stores to the chef or family owned and managed restaurant that brings to you an exceptional dining experience. Many of the dollars spent here in small businesses stay in our own town, supporting our schools, police and fire department and creating community. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the cornerstones of our Nation’s promise.

Brutti's Restaurant is one example of the fine dining establishments
that no longer resides here in Olde Towne Portsmouth.

Since the economy began to decline a few years ago, we have watched small businesses that our neighborhoods relied on struggle and then close. Many just closed overnight. I stopped by a favorite local restaurant to find huge “out of business” stickers posted all over the door - they just couldn't make ends meet, so their debtors came and shut them down. I direly miss our former shops and galleries now gone who took such pride in their businesses and marketed themselves with such enthusiasm. I miss the local wine and cheese shop and the natural foods store which brought amazing products that could not be bought in a grocery store. I miss the extraordinary art galleries and antique shops that once lined High Street in abundance that are now faint memories of our past.  

"First Friday" was a monthly
event designed to promote Olde
Towne's unique shops and
galleries. 

Olde Towne’s “First Friday”, a monthly event fashioned by a local art gallery owner, created an opportunity for the small retail shops to stay open at night together and an opportunity for shoppers to frequent the stores during the evening hours. Art galleries promoted show openings; others offered light fare and specials for the wandering shopper. This was the type of thinking that made Olde Towne great and brought attention to our community. Unfortunately, the gallery is gone and so are most of the participants that were the staples of the event. But these are the kinds of businesses that help form and bring together communities, but the only way they can survive is if local consumers are aware of how important it is that, when we are able to buy, we buy locally. When small businesses do well, communities flourish and our economy will grow.

So, this blog will feature over time all of the locally owned retail businesses and restaurants that exist within the downtown/Olde Towne business district. You will read about what makes them unique,  about products and services that can only be found here in Olde Towne. You will discover through these pages the Olde Towne restaurants and what makes them special. These articles will be the key to this blog and hopefully you will discover for yourself the magic that they bring to our Olde Towne Portsmouth- the magic they bring every day to Olde Towne!