2026 SPECIAL SESSION I

ENROLLED

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 2051

Commending Croaker's Spot.

Agreed to by the Senate, June 22, 2026

WHEREAS, Croaker's Spot, a soul food institution and the oldest Black-owned, full-service restaurant in continuous operation in the Richmond area, celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2026; and

WHEREAS, Croaker's Spot was named for Mr. Croaker, a native of Richmond's historic Jackson Ward, who traveled to New York City during the Harlem Renaissance and became well-known among the jazz set of the era; and

WHEREAS, though not a musician himself, Mr. Croaker often toured up and down the East Coast with various jazz musicians and developed an uncanny knack for being able to locate the best local soul food restaurants in any given city; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Croaker established the original Croaker's Spot in Harlem as a private club, which grew in popularity among jazz musicians, poets, artists, and creative entrepreneurs and ultimately evolved into a restaurant that evoked Mr. Croaker's blend of southern charm and big city sophistication, offering regional recipes from Boston, New Orleans, Chicago, Richmond, and more; and

WHEREAS, Neverett “Sugarfoot” Eggleston III, whose family had deep roots in the Richmond community as the founders of the Eggleston Hotel, a well-known destination for Black travelers during Segregation, sought to honor Mr. Croaker's legacy when he opened Croaker's Spot in Richmond on April 9, 2001; and

WHEREAS, what began as a beloved neighborhood restaurant has grown into a Virginia landmark celebrated for its soulful seafood, Southern hospitality, and deep community roots; Croaker's Spot currently maintains two locations in Richmond's Manchester neighborhood and Historic Old Towne Petersburg; and

WHEREAS, Sherita McGowan, the current owner of Croaker's Spot continues to uphold Mr. Croaker's vision and build on the Eggleston family's legacy of excellence; and

WHEREAS, Croaker's Spot remains a cornerstone of Richmond's Black-owned business community and has been featured in America's Best Restaurants and received a 2011 Hoodie Award for Best Soul Food; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That Croaker's Spot hereby be commended on the occasion of its 25th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Sherita McGowan, owner of Croaker's Spot, as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's admiration for the restaurant's storied history and contributions to the Richmond community.