Car show to celebrate reopening of Buster's Bistro

SOUTH NORFOLK

Tom and Victoria Hollowell are so happy to have the doors to their restaurant back open again, they've planned a celebration for the entire community.

In January 2009, the couple opened Buster's Bistro, a quaint eatery serving breakfast and lunch at 2407 Bainbridge Blvd. When Victoria faced two major surgeries eight months later, they were forced to temporarily shut down.

On March 1, the Hollowells reopened, and their South Norfolk faithful couldn't be more thrilled.

"People are happy we're back," Victoria, 45, said. "And so are we."

A classic, custom and antique car show, along with a moonwalk, face painting, live music, food and drinks, is planned for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday in the parking lot of Southgate Plaza Shopping Center.

"They can visit and celebrate that we're back," Victoria said. "There will be cars, trucks and motorcycles," said Tom, 48, who worked in the automotive business doing restoration work for 25 years.

But, cooking and people are the couple's passion and it shows in every meal and customer they serve at Buster's Bistro, which is named for Tom's late uncle.

"He had a half-acre garden behind his house in Deep Creek, and his wife, Loraine, and he would pickle, stew and can. They didn't have to buy vegetables all year-round," said Tom, noting they use fresh, local products, especially in their daily lunch specials.

Their background in the food industry dates back even further. They opened Creative Catering more than 12 years ago in Virginia Beach. When the base realignment and closure affected their location on First Colonial Road, they were forced to leave.

Despite that challenge, they stayed in business and changed the name to East Coast Catering Company on April 1.

"We decided to do both and thought it'd be a bonus to have a restaurant as well," said Victoria, a 1982 Bayside High graduate. They've even discussed leasing the 5,000-square-foot space next door to open a catering hall.

For now, the Hollowells just want people to know they're back. Murray Goodwin, a retired city inspector, learned of Buster's Bistro and can't get enough of it.

"I always look for good mom-and-pop places to eat," Goodwin said. "Buster's is only one mile from my house and now that I'm retired, I'm a frequent flyer."

Goodwin likes to stop in almost every day for a cup of coffee, cup of Brunswick stew, breakfast or lunch.

"They have good food, good service and good conversation," he said.

Sandra J. Pennecke, Pennecke@cox.net