VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Memorial Day weekend is typically considered the unofficial start of summer, bringing packed beaches, crowded boardwalks and full restaurant patios to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.
But this year, cooler temperatures, cloudy skies and scattered rain showers put a damper on the holiday rush, leaving many business owners watching the weather as closely as the crowds.
For restaurants and tourism leaders, the holiday weekend is more than just a seasonal tradition — it is one of the biggest economic checkpoints of the year…