Beaches explode with new businesses
Here's an updated roundup of new businesses and expansions of existing enterprises in the pipeline around coastal Delaware and Ocean City, as compiled by the The Sassy Banana. Did I forget anyone? Send your food industry news and tips to me at hcarroll2@dmg.gannett.com.
Breeze Nails Bar
A new, contemporary nail bar on Coastal Highway that strongly emphasizes one-on-one customer service in an urban and upscale environment. The best part? Patrons can relax with a glass of red or wine. For more information, call 302-727-5597.
Anderson's Produce
Filling the space once occupied by Gelato Gal on Route 1 in Rehoboth Beach, Kevin Anderson of Anderson's Produce will offer homemade pies, breads and pastries, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables. Guests can also purchase flowers, vegetable plants, local honey, jams, jellies, and private label jarred items such as apple butter, salsa or pickles. Anderson plans to stay open year-round, daily. Visit andersonsproducemarket.com.
LEARN MORE: Anderson's Produce moving to Rehoboth
Wake & Bake
Jenn Ausmus and her boyfriend and business partner Josh Kay have closed down Bake My Day, remodeled, renamed and reopened.
Located on Lighthouse Road in Selbybville, their "new" shop, Wake & Bake, features a functional layout and fresh paint, with the same homemade goodness locals came to expect. Wake & Bake offers coffee lovers a hip place to hang out, Zekes coffee and a sit down menu. While you're there, peruse through the eclectic collection of vinyls for sale. For more information, call 302-436-2100.
grandpa(MAC) #2
James Beard multi-nominated chef and entrepreneur Hari Cameron will soon open his second grandpa(MAC) eatery next to Starbucks on Coastal Highway in Harbor Square Center. Cameron is the executive chef and owner of a(MUSE.), the celebrated modernist eatery on Baltimore Avenue in downtown Rehoboth Beach and co-owner (with his brother Orion) of grandpa(MAC) #1 just across the street.
LEARN MORE:grandpa(MAC) serving gourmet pasta with a twist
Surfside Bar & Grille
Tommy Simpson will open Surfside Bar & Grille this weekend in Dewey Beach, taking over the space previously occupied by McShea's. Richard Robinson, McShea’s owner, decided to sell the business to Tom, who was his former bartender back in the ’90s. The little spot is located at 1705 Coastal Highway, just south of Jeremiah’s Beach Party store.
New hours are 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Thursday and Friday and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Call 302-227-7000 for information.
Dewey Beach Club
The laid back, beachy restaurant opened last month on Route 1 in Dewey Beach. Owners Jeff and Tom Treacy offer a fully stocked bar and a handcrafted menu featuring gourmet beach food items like artisan meat and cheese boards, fresh salads, sandwiches and steaks, as well as a variety of tapas or small plates, like mini crabcakes, chicken drumettes and barbecue spare ribs, all ideal for sharing. For more information, call 302-227-0669.
LEARN MORE:Dewey Beach Club back in business
Jimmy's Grille
The Rehoboth Beach Jimmy’s Grille is set to open early June, after a number of setbacks.
During construction, crews uncovered pipes that required moving and reconnection. Other issues like this brought the process to a halt several times. As if that were not enough, entrepreneur Alex Pires got reprimanded by a federal judge for designing his new Jimmy’s Grille in Rehoboth to look almost exactly like a Cracker Barrel. Subsequently, changes have been made to redesign the facility.
This will be the third Jimmy's Grille. Location number two is in Dewey across from Bottle & Cork and the original is located on Highway One in Bridgeville.
LEARN MORE:Jimmy's expanding to Rehoboth Beach
LEARN MORE: Judge orders changes to restaurant in Cracker Barrel suit
Lefty's Alley & Eats
Located next to Dartmouth Plaza, the highly anticipated venue will offer 16 bowling lanes, a two-story laser tag arena, big-screen TVs, an arcade and a casual bar/restaurant that will accommodate more than 100 guests. Construction crews have begun pouring concrete foundations and the entertainment center is on track for a November 2016 opening. For more information, visit their Facebook page.
Seacrets Distilling Co.
A dream for years in the making, the Seacrets distillery is finally scheduled to open in late June.
The popular beach bar has been making Seacrets Spirits, including vodka, rum and gin, under the Seacrets name at a Delaware facility since May 2014. In addition to housing production, the new distillery will be open for tastings and tours.
LEARN MORE:Seacrets distillery to open spring 2016
Starboard Raw
The former location of Scully’s Ocean Side Cafe at 2000 Coastal Highway in Dewey Beach will soon host the new Starboard Raw, a 48-seat raw bar venue with a limited menu and lots of raw bar options. The expansion of the ever-popular Starboard Restaurant and Bar, one of the properties owned and operated by an investment group headed up by Steve “Monty” Montgomery, opens Sunday, May 1. Grab a seat if you can.
READ: More about the Starboard Raw
Rehoboth Ale House
The popular watering hole on Wilmington Avenue in Rehoboth Beach is under new management. New proprietors Kyle McLaughlin and Adam Newman, of Dewey Beach, plan to change almost everything but the sports-centric concept and the entertainment lineup that has kept the place popular for years. Call 302-227-2337 for more information.
The Fresh Market
This European-style, specialty grocery market will open at Rehoboth Gateway, at the intersection of Country Club Road and Route One Coastal Highway. The Fresh Market is focused on providing high-quality products in a unique and inviting atmosphere, with an elevated level of customer service. Enjoy a fresh brewed sample cup of java as you stroll down the aisles, view meats and seafood behind refrigerated glass, not inside plastic wrapped foam trays, so you can select the freshest cut. The store is loaded with old-world charm, fresh produce and hard-to-find grocery items from around the globe. The Rehoboth Beach location is set to open early summer. For more information, visit thefreshmarket.com.
The Beachy Bean Café and Coffee Roaster
Amy and Dennis Marcoux have left their jobs (Dennis was a former chef at Dogfish Head) to open The Beachy Bean in the Long Neck area of Millsboro. The cafe offers fresh, Fair Trade roasts, pastries from Old World Breads in Lewes and house made sandwiches. For more information, visit thebeachybean.com or call 302-945-1571.
Seafood Shack
Lion Gardner, executive chef and co-owner of Blue Moon on Baltimore Avenue in Rehoboth Beach, reports that the group has purchased the Seafood Shack restaurant located across the street. The Shack was a popular hangout and entertainment spot for years, and was the original location of Dos Locos, now on Rehoboth Avenue. No other details about the transformation are available yet, but I'll keep you posted.
Ohana Room
Regan Derrickson has transformed the space once occupied by Whiskey Beach BBQ in Dewey Beach with the Ohana Room at Nalu. The bright and attractive venue, under the famed Nalu brand, is designed to be an upscale catering and event facility for parties, weddings, receptions, etc. For more information, visit nalusurfbar.com/ohana-room.
Java Juke Box
Coffee lounge by day. Entertainment venue by night. Java Juke Box boasts a pretty cool concept and is set to open on Rehoboth Avenue in Rehoboth Beach by Memorial Day. The new business' Facebook page is keeping eager fans posted with construction updates, if you want to follow along.
Blackwall Hitch
Blackwall Hitch is a restaurant that honors the heritage of the Chesapeake Bay with a modern interpretation of a classic shore tavern. With locations currently in Annapolis and Alexandria, Virginia, Blackwall Hitch will open in the old Irish Eyes/Greene Turtle location at 52 Rehoboth Avenue by early summer. For more information, visit theblackwallhitch.com.
Rehoboth Avenue Greene Turtle relocating to Route 1
Matt's Fish Camp
The original Matt’s Fish Camp, one of SoDel Concepts’ existing eight restaurants, is located in north Bethany Beach. The new location will open in the Tenley Court shopping center on Route 1 in Lewes, said Scott Kammerer, SoDel Concepts' president. The menu will feature fan favorites such as lobster deviled eggs, hot bacon crab dip, fresh catch options, buttermilk fried chicken with bacon corn gravy, colossal crab cakes and Matt's Fish Camp stew, as well as new selections. Expect an early summer opening.
New SoDel Concepts eatery headed to Lewes
Victoria's Seafood and Crabs
Formerly Captain Ernie’s and Bahama Mamas, Victoria's Seafood and Crabs is located in mid-town Ocean City on 81st Street. You can't miss it — it's bright pink. The menu offers an array of seafood favorites like corn nuggets, boardwalk fries, crab cake sandwiches and fried oysters, in addition to steamed crabs, shrimp, mussels and clams. Opening any day now, the seafood carry-out will even offer delivery to nearby condos. For more information, visit crabsoceancity.com.
Kinda Jerky Really Nutty
Located on the Ocean City Boardwalk and 6th Street, Kinda Jerky Really Nutty offers craft jerky, assorted nuts, gourmet snack mixes, granola, dried fruits and veggies to anyone looking for a healthy snack mailing program or thoughtful gift. For more information, visit kindajerkyreallynutty.com.
Matt's Fish Camp
A second Matt's Fish Camp will open in the Lewes Tenley Court shopping center by early June. The SoDel Concepts' seafood eatery will have similar characteristics of the original Matt's Fish Camp in Bethany Beach, but its own attitude. At 3,200 square feet, the new restaurant will accommodate 90 people in the dining room and will feature a full service 12-seat-bar, as well as a freshly stocked raw bar.
Maurice Catlett will head the kitchen as executive chef. Guests can expect lobster deviled eggs, hot bacon crab dip, fresh catch options and Matt's Fish Camp stew, as well as new selections like homemade chicken pot pie, shrimp BLT pasta and country fried steak.
LEARN MORE:Matt's Fish Camp hires chef, turns page after founder's death
Let's Chat! I want to hear your questions and comments on local cuisine. Email hcarroll2@dmg.gannett.com.
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