Gilligan's in Lewes, instead of closing, is now open year-round

A year and a half after thinking Gilligan’s would be no more, Cheryl and Garry Tilton now have a bigger, brighter and all-around better restaurant space.

And with it, a year-round business after 15 years of being a seasonal restaurant.

Gilligan’s, the waterfront restaurant and bar located next to the Inn at Canal Square in downtown Lewes, was set to close near the end of 2015, but plans to remodel the restaurant went through and after finishing the 2016 summer season, construction started in September.

“It’s something we’ve been wanting to do for 15 years,” Cheryl Tilton said. “The building was falling apart around us.”

The new, updated space reopened for a soft opening Memorial Day Weekend and then reopened the Wednesday after Memorial Day.

Gone is the famous ship, which was the original restaurant, and the converted chicken coop. The entire property that existed before was toppled and a new structure built.

The restaurant has expanded from 40 seats to about 62. There is still ample outdoor space and new outdoor bar seating that allows patrons to face the water and boats while ordering from the bar through open windows. The bar is flanked inside by two dining rooms. The one to the right of the bar features a sliding, farm-like door that can close the room off to a private event for up to 40 people. The main dining room at the entrance contains a beautiful fireplace (the old restaurant didn’t have heat).

While there are many new features at Gilligan’s, one of the few restaurants in the area that takes reservations, some things haven’t changed. There are still beautiful views of the canal from almost every seat. Each season always featured some new menu items, so this year Cheryl Tilton noted the grilled scallop sliders and the lemon thyme chicken BLT as notable additions.

The crabcakes for which Gilligan’s has been known for are still around. And popular bartender Andrew Drawdy is still pouring drinks.

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Reviews from regulars have so far been positive.

“They like the old place,” Garry Tilton said. “But they didn’t lose any view and they gained more seating. So it’s better all around.”

Garry, who also owns Sussex County Customs in Lewes, was outside power washing the ramp and step area in front of the restaurant Wednesday. A new exterior sign was to be put up Friday, the Tiltons said.

The Tiltons, residents of nearby Milton, are excited to have a year-round business, despite Cheryl lamenting no more vacations. But the newer space hasn’t come without issues.

Right now, the restaurant is closed Monday and Tuesday. And that’s not because those tend to be slow days for restaurants. The Tiltons just simply don’t have enough employees to staff a seven-day operation right now.

“Everything is getting bigger,” Garry noted of the many local restaurants gaining seats. “So we need more help now.”

With the busier season approaching, they need that help fast.

Sure beats closing, though.