Lefty's Alley and Eats expects fall opening
Story Location:
Lewes, DE
United States
It’s been more than four months since ground was broken on Lefty’s Alley and Eats near Lewes, and owner DJ Hill said the steel superstructure of the 35,000-square-foot building is nearly complete.
“This gives a much better picture of the scale and size of the venue,” he said in a May 24 email.
Hill has partnered with fellow Cape Region businessman Chad Moore to open the entertainment venue on a previously undeveloped parcel adjacent to Dartmouth Plaza on Route 1 in Lewes.
The facility will feature 16 bowling lanes; a state-of-the art arcade with 50 to 70 games; a 4,000-square-foot, two-story laser tag arena; four 20-by-12-foot big-screen televisions; a 110-seat restaurant and bar, and banquet options for customized birthdays, corporate and group events.
Hill said the next steps are to complete all underground plumbing, electrical, and conduits so that the concrete slab can be poured. He said framing of the exterior walls should begin in the next week so facility will be closed in by mid-July.
Hill said in August, lanes and pin-setting equipment will be installed, and by the end of September, he hopes to have all the kitchen equipment installed, laser tag arena complete, and the restaurant finished so staff training can begin in October.
A Route 1 billboard, just south of the Lewes Wawa, has a large arrow pointing in the direction of the steel structure. The sign says to anticipate a fall 2016 opening.
Hill confirms the sign is correct, but the original plan for an October opening has been pushed back to November because of the rainy weather.
“The weather over the last month came at a very critical part of the construction,” he said. “As a result, the project will most likely be delayed about five weeks.”
Hill said the venue’s Facebook page is up and a website is expected to launch in August. For group party and event requests, or to submit job applications online, a placeholder website will be developed by the end of June.
Hill said, from his perspective, the most exciting news is the hiring of Frank Sirre to be director of operations. Hill described Sirre is an entertainment venue industry icon with over 30 years of experience who has seen management in New York, San Francisco and Chicago.
“We are lucky that he has agreed to come to Lefty's Alley and Eats,” said Hill. “He was looking for a ground-up opportunity with direct involvement with ownership rather than a big corporation. His instant attraction to the area sealed the deal.”
