Bethany Blues officially takes over Nicola spot in Rehoboth

The keys to the original Nicola Pizza location on North First Street in Rehoboth Beach were officially passed to the owners of Bethany Blues Oct. 1. The remodel into Downtown Blues will start in the next few weeks with an April 2023 opening targeted. 

Bethany Blues owner Steve “Monty” Montgomery officially announced Downtown Blues in a press release in June. He said it will be designed to fit the historic space that is special to so many.

“While we were not planning to expand, when approached about this location, it just made too much sense,” said Montgomery. “Our original Blues location in downtown Bethany is very popular for both dine-in and carryout. While we have our newly renovated location in Lewes, we feel downtown Rehoboth is a different market where so many can walk or bike to dine with us.”

There will be an emphasis on takeout, with a carryout counter near the front of the restaurant, said the release. With a mix of booths and tables, there will be approximately the same amount of seating as Nicola Pizza had.

Montgomery said one of the keys to expanding was to make longtime operators of the original locations, Jessica Nathan and Zac Warner, into equity partners and part of the ownership team. They will continue to run these barbecue restaurants while raising their own children here in the community, he said. 

The Bethany Blues team plans to keep some of the iconic feel with the front-window booths and semi-open kitchen, said the release. There will be a cozy bar area added to the back corner featuring Bethany Blues’ famous bourbon collection.

The plan is to be a year-round venue open for both lunch and dinner, said the release.