Neil Boden, owner of Streats on 21st Street in Norfolk, recently announced that after a 22 year run, he had sold the business to new owners. In that time Boden turned Streats into something more than a great restaurant. He created a warm and affirmative environment for not only the LGBTQIA+ community, but for the community as a whole.
Neil and his staff made Streats our clubhouse. When you walked into Streats you were guaranteed to run into friends and camaraderie. Combine that with great food and awesome craft cocktails, and the end result was that many a problem was solved, much laughter filled the air, A LOT tea was spilled.
In a touching Facebook post, he said, “After many rewarding years of pouring my heart and soul into my restaurant, I have made the decision to sell, which has been both bittersweet and liberating. I’ve cherished every moment spent crafting cocktails and martinis and collaborating on delicious dishes with my amazing staff, that not only delighted taste buds but also created connections within the community. The laughter shared over meals, the celebrations that filled my dining room, and the friendships forged with loyal patrons are memories I will always treasure.”
This past Friday night friends and family gathered for one last time before the business changed hands. Neil provided us with some photos of the festivities. We at Outlife757 and our entire community are forever thankful, and we wish him the best.
