Coho’s Market & Grill now open on Rehoboth Avenue

With a middle name like Coho, it was bound to be used in the name of the new market Rick Hardy opened with Dave Lyons in downtown Rehoboth Beach.

Lyons said Hardy’s dad was in the Navy and loved to fish for coho salmon when stationed in Nova Scotia, Canada. He loved it so much, when Rick was born that became his middle name.

“Rick Coho Hardy,” said Lyons, during an interview May 1. “We experimented with a lot of other names, but this is something unique and personal.”

Located in the former Grub’s Grocery & Deli, Coho’s Market & Grill opened for business April 18 on Rehoboth Avenue.

Lyons and Hardy have been coming to Rehoboth Beach for decades. They own a house overlooking Lake Comegys on Chesapeake Street in Dewey.

Hardy was at the store working the day of the interview. Lyons said after corporate and federal government careers, the couple was looking for a change that would allow them to be at their home in Rehoboth Beach full time.

“Living here has been a dream of ours,” said Lyons. “We love to entertain and cook. We thought opening the market would be a good way to make that local connection.” 

Lyons said he and Hardy always knew a downtown Rehoboth Avenue location was what they wanted. When Grub’s became available, they moved quickly, he said.

“It’s in a good location, next to Love Liquors and the Shops at The Pearl Mall. Plus, there’s off-street parking,” said Lyons.

A few weeks into opening the grill portion of the business, Lyons said traffic has been a little slow. A chilly and wet spring hasn’t helped, he said.

“On sunny days, we’re doing better,” he said. “We’re starting to get some of the local traffic.”

For now, Lyons said, the menu is focused on simple breakfast and lunch offerings made with high-quality ingredients.

At some point in the future, when businesses are allowed to be open to customers, Lyons said, the market will open up. In addition to the basic necessities, Lyons said the plan is to offer high-quality food for people to entertain.

It may be a new name, new look and new menu offerings, but Lyons said customers will recognize the staff because they’ve been hired from Grub’s Market. “They’re good people, who have offered us some valuable insight into the business,” said Lyons.

Coho’s Market is open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday through Monday. Lyons said the store will be open seven days a week when it warms up a bit, and the expectation is to stay open later as restrictions on businesses are loosened.

For more information on Coho’s Market, 305 Rehoboth Ave., go to www.cohosmarket.com, call 302-227-2646 or email info@cohosmarket.com.