SoDel Concepts buys Cape Region favorite Surf Bagel

Two homegrown coastal businesses are about to become one. Rehoboth Beach-based SoDel Concepts, a hospitality company, has announced the acquisition of long-standing, local favorite Surf Bagel.

Surf Bagel was founded in 2004 by brothers and avid surfers Dave and Tom Vitella. A hit with locals and tourists, Surf Bagel specializes in New York-style bagels, flavored cream cheeses, bagel sandwiches, and other breakfast and lunch items.

When Dave Vitella started contemplating his next chapter, he wanted to make sure Surf Bagel continued to thrive.

“We could not have dreamed of a better fit than with Scott Kammerer and SoDel Concepts,” Vitella said. “The one constant in life is change, and I knew we wouldn’t be doing this forever. SoDel is the perfect solution; they are the very best at what they do, and they will continue to honor the loyalty and dedication of Surf Bagel’s employees and patrons.”

The Kammerer and Vitella families have been longtime contributors to the Cape Region. Scott and Dave coached with and against each other for many years, and their children have all grown up in the area.

“SoDel Concepts is a solid, well-run organization with the same dedication to quality and consistency. We trust them to carry the brand forward and keep the Surf Bagel tradition alive,” Vitella said.

The sale should be finalized Dec. 1, and the Surf Bagel shops will be the company’s 14th and 15th locations. Matt’s Fish Camp recently opened in Fenwick, and Ocean View Brewing Company is under construction.

“Who doesn’t love Surf Bagel?” said Kammerer, president of SoDel Concepts. “It is a staple along the culinary coast, and the owners have long been active in our community.”

Kammerer said Surf Bagel and SoDel Concepts share a mission to give guests delicious food and an exceptional experience.

“SoDel Concepts has the highest respect for the successful concept and will continue offering the menu that has made it a fan favorite,” Kammerer said.

Based in Rehoboth Beach, SoDel Concepts is a multifaceted, award-winning hospitality group with 18 business operations: 14 coastal restaurants, three sports concessions, and a weddings-and-events venue. Restaurants include Fish On and Matt’s Fish Camp in Lewes; The Clubhouse at Baywood in Millsboro; Crust & Craft, Bluecoast Seafood Grill + Raw Bar, Thompson Island Brewing Company and Lupo Italian Kitchen in Rehoboth; Matt’s Fish Camp and Bluecoast Seafood Grill + Raw Bar in Bethany Beach; NorthEast Seafood Kitchen and Ocean View Brewing Company in Ocean View; and Catch 54, Papa Grande’s Coastal Taqueria, and Matt’s Fish Camp in Fenwick Island.

SoDel Concepts’ divisions include Haley/Kammerer, a hospitality consulting firm; SoDel Concessions, a hospitality management company; and Matt’s Homemade Soda Co., which offers a line of artisanal sodas.

Chef Matt Haley, the recipient of the James Beard Foundation’s 2014 Humanitarian of the Year Award, founded SoDel Concepts in 2004. After Haley’s death in 2014, Kammerer started the SoDel Cares Foundation in his honor. The nonprofit supports local organizations that assist children, at-risk youth and adults, and the elderly. SoDel Cares’ primary mission is to contribute in a positive way to the communities in which SoDel Concepts does business. For more information, go to sodelconcepts.com.