Sidewalk dining coming back to Claws, Lupo in Rehoboth

Following unanimous approval by commissioners, sidewalk dining on Rehoboth Avenue is returning to Lupo Italian Kitchen and Claws Seafood in Rehoboth Beach.

Commissioners began a special meeting June 5 by approving a permit of compliance request and a supplemental permit of compliance for outdoor dining on public space at Lupo, which is located on the ground floor in Hotel Rehoboth, 247 Rehoboth Ave. As approved, there will be four two-top tables placed immediately outside the restaurant that will be separated from the sidewalk with a 3-foot barrier. Following the approval of the permits, the city approved a license agreement of $325 to use the city sidewalk.

Following Lupo, commissioners approved an amended permit of compliance, a supplemental permit of compliance for outdoor dining on private space and a supplemental permit of compliance for outdoor dining on public space at Claws, 167 Rehoboth Ave. As approved, the restaurant can add 26 seats to the existing covered porch and 10 seats on the sidewalk in front. Similar to Lupo, the city approved a license agreement of $325 to use the city sidewalk.

This is the third month in a row commissioners have approved permits of compliance, supplemental permits of compliance or license agreements for downtown businesses.

The influx of applications comes in response to changes in city code or policy made since the end of last summer. Two of the changes – outdoor dining on public space and an increase to outdoor patio space on private property – were made in response to commissioners recognizing the appeal of outdoor dining that took place during the COVID-19 pandemic. A third change – license agreements related to awnings – was brought about because a number of new projects have proposed them and the city didn’t have a specific policy in place.