Aqua Grill in Rehoboth gets new owners

After a successful inaugural season for The Pines in Rehoboth Beach, owners Tyler Townsend and Bob Suppies have taken over ownership of Aqua Grill with business partner Kevin McDuffie.

Standing on the restaurant’s famous patio Oct. 31, Suppies said Aqua Grill was a successful establishment, and he’s hoping it stays that way.

“We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel,” he said. “Since we’re across the street, we’re going to be able to have our eyes on it more.”

The Pines was the first restaurant for Townsend and Suppies. Aqua Grill will be the first restaurant for McDuffie, a real estate broker from Washington, D.C. The trio announced the ownership change in a press release Oct. 23. 

McDuffie said taking over ownership of Aqua Grill is a great opportunity to build on what former owner Bill Shields built. He said the footprint of the restaurant will remain the same, but there will be a new menu.

McDuffie, who lived in the house portion of the Aqua Grill building in 1979, said the restaurant will have a lot more events, creative brunches and themed meals. There’s some fresh ideas, he said.

Suppies said there’s no denying the LBGTQ history of the Aqua Grill, and while they intend on keeping it going, he said he hopes the new menu will also attract a wider range of customers during the day. He said the plan is to reopen in April 2020. 

Townsend said the proximity of the two restaurants is ideal. Both restaurants are located on the western edge of Baltimore Avenue. 

“There’s a good synergy between the two,” he said. “This end of the block for Baltimore Avenue is going to have a lot of fun.”

Aqua Grill, 57 Baltimore Ave., is a seasonal restaurant open from April to October. For more information visit aquagrillrehoboth.com.