Rehoboth permitting businesses in time for summer
Memorial Day is just around the corner and businesses are well on their way with preparations. With that in mind, Rehoboth Beach commissioners approved a number of business-related applications during a meeting April 21.
Downtown Blues
Without much discussion, commissioners unanimously approved a permit of compliance for Downtown Blues at 8 N. First St., which is the former location of the original Nicola Pizza.
Bethany Blues announced in June 2022 it would be taking over the space and has been renovating ever since.
During the meeting, co-owner James Weisgerber said he’s excited to be opening, and the restaurant is going to be similar in nature to the other Bethany Blues locations – an affordable family restaurant with good food.
The restaurant will be the third for the Bethany Blues company. The only real reason the name isn’t Bethany Blues is to avoid confusion with the other two restaurants, said Weisberger.
Egg
Located at 510 Rehoboth Ave., Egg was granted a supplemental permit of compliance to allow for the modification of an existing restaurant serving alcoholic beverages.
Owner Missi Postles said during a renovation project, the contractor recommended moving the bar area due to existing plumbing infrastructure. She said the number of bar seats will now be five, instead of the seven it had before.
A few days later, during a board of adjustment hearing April 24, Egg was also granted a variance to allow the gross area devoted to a dining patio to be more than 1,000 square feet. The restaurant was also granted a variance to allow an accessory use on an adjacent lot.
Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls
Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls celebrated reopening for the season in late March, and pretty soon, customers will be enjoying the restaurant’s food on an outdoor patio at 67 Rehoboth Ave. Commissioners unanimously approved a license agreement for a dining patio to be located on public space. This dining location is on the sidewalk in front of the building.
Mason’s also was charged $325 for an annual license agreement that is valid through Dec. 31. Mason’s already paid a $150 application fee when it submitted the application for outdoor dining. Commissioners expressed some concern about restaurants being charged both fees annually and may consider amending the application fee for outdoor dining.
Above the Dunes
At Above the Dunes, 101 South Boardwalk, commissioners unanimously approved a license agreement for a dining patio to encroach over public space. This is related to the second-floor balcony that overhangs the Boardwalk. The restaurant was charged a one-time fee of $325.
According to the agreement, the balcony is about 6 feet wide, 100 feet long on the Boardwalk side and 60 feet long on Wilmington Ave. The balcony is allowed to be replaced, so long as it’s the same size.
Special meeting scheduled for May 8
Commissioners have already scheduled two more supplemental permit of compliance hearings for a special meeting at 2 p.m., Monday, May 8.
According to public notices issued, Fin’s Fish House & Raw Bar, 243 Rehoboth Ave., and Nalu, 41 Rehoboth Ave., are each seeking a supplemental permit of compliance to operate a dining patio serving alcoholic beverages on public space.
