The lore that lingers in the halls and walls...

The building is a historic site in Norfolk. The Original Carriage House was built in the early 1840's. Its patrons then were horses. From the first floor, if you look up at the center of the room, you'll see the large opening where hay used to be loaded into carriages.

A 19th century timber merchant, Captain John L. Roper, bought the property after the Civil War. The family carriage, horses, riding equipment, and even a sleigh were kept here in the carriage house. The family's mansion, facing Freemason Street, was demolished in the 1930's. For years, the old carriage house stook idle until one of Mr. Roper's granddaughters decided it would make an ideal tea room.

In the mid 1940's Virginia Bruce Roper converted the facility into a restaurant. It's reputation grew as a quaint tea room where good food and good friendship were regularly enjoyed. In 1950, Miss Roper married and left the area. The following years hosted several owners who pursued the quaint tea room and excellent food business. Many artists and celebrities and were served at the Carriage House including Mrs. Douglas MacArthur, Walter P. Chrysler, Jr., Imogene Coca & others.

In the early 1970’s, the area had continued to deteriorate while renovation was taking place elsewhere. Most feared to come into the area at night. However, new laws allowing mixed alcoholic beverages dictated a modernization of the business. In 1974 the old Carriage House was turned into a lively night spot known as “Round the Corner”. The old recipes and name were unwanted and the emphasis was on sandwiches.

1978 saw the return of people to the downtown area. Jan Cloud decided to combine the old with the new and renovated. He changed the name back to the Carriage House and incorporated the original menu including aged beef and fresh seafood.

Another new owner renamed the restaurant Maude’s House until 1998 when Omar stepped in and renamed it once again, (Omar’s) Carriage House. The restaurant still hosts many celebrities such as Tom Moss, City Treasurer, Mayor Fraim, Pat Robertson, and more. A word about the Carriage House’s playful ghost, employees swear to its existence. Orders in the kitchen often get mischievously mixed up. If it happens to you, please understand and forgive.

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