Grow Selects Winner To Open New Restaurant

The Pilot reported yesterday that the Grow Interactive has selected a winner in its contest for the rights to open a new restaurant in the space it owns right next door.  This includes 1,000 square feet of space indoors and an additional 1,000 feet of outdoor rooftop deck space at 429 Granby St., with a rent the first three years of just $1,000.

The new restaurant will be to the right of Grow on Granby St.

Out of 17 applications submitted, the winning idea was that of David Hausmann.  He is planing on a restaurant known for its fresh ingredients and highlighted by an herb wall.  There is also a plan to use the rooftop seating and Grow's owner, Drew Ungvarsky, has decided to become an investor because he was so convinced by the idea.  The plan is to open the restaurant next year.

In an effort to not let some of the other inspiring ideas go to waste, Grow has taken it upon themselves to award the other three finalists a $5,000 three-year, no-interest loan to help them bring their concepts to Norfolk within the year.

Ungvarsky has made a name for himself in downtown Norfolk since Grow has moved there and in many ways he's the young and innovative pioneer that downtown needs.  It's very respectable what he's been doing and hopefully, more young leaders can emerge who are just as ambitious when it comes to developing Norfolk.

Be sure to click to Pilot link above for renderings.