According to the Virginia Employment Commission, the top five employers in Norfolk are: The DOD, Sentara, Norfolk (Public schools, then City), and ODU. So not only do we have the world’s largest naval base, they are our biggest employer. To honor that, several of Norfolk’s shopping areas honor the military. There is of course MacArthur Mall, named for the General, that you may pass today. Further out in the city is Military Circle Mall located just off of Military Highway. On the other side of Military Hwy from the mall is another military shopping center, Janaf, which is technically J.A.N.A.F. an acronym for Joint Army Navy Air Force. The original investment group that built the shopping center was comprised of active duty and retired personnel. When opened in 1959, it was one of the largest suburban shopping centers in the country. It is also the oldest shopping center in Norfolk.
Which Norfolk shopping center has a “military” name?
a) JANAF N 36 51.820 W 076 18.502
b) Southern Shopping Center N 36 52.095 W 076 18.057