Fins wins Business of the Year Award

With the opening of a new Big Oyster Brewery in Lewes and a renovated Fins in Rehoboth Beach, it’s been a big year for Fins Hospitality Group.

Owner Jeff Hamer can now add Business of the Year to his list of accomplishments, presented to Fins Hospitality Group by the Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce Feb. 8.

Started in 1991 in downtown Rehoboth, Fins has expanded to include locations on Route 1, Berlin and Bethany Beach, as well as the new Big Oyster standalone restaurant and brewpub in Lewes. Hamer got his start at Arena’s before starting Fins; presenter Chris Weeks said Hamer was inspired by a Hawaiian vacation where he dined at a restaurant with a build-your-own concept. Hamer resolved to apply the concept to seafood and bring a first-rate raw bar to Rehoboth, Weeks said.

Hamer started Fins at the space formerly occupied by Sirr Guy’s. In 2006, he founded Claws, also on Rehoboth Avenue.

Weeks said Fins Hospitality Group also supports a number of charitable initiatives including Real Men Wear Pink for cancer awareness, Meals on Wheels and Wounded Warrior Project, among others.

“I am humbled, being here,” Hamer said. “The restaurant business is an extremely hard business. We work a lot of hours. It takes a lot of dedication. But we wouldn’t be able to do it without a lot of great people behind us.”

Hamer credited Rehoboth restaurateurs for showing him the way, and he hopes to now be a mentor to the next generation coming in.