Rehoboth to hear three permit-of-compliance requests March 8

It’s that time of year when Rehoboth Beach businesses are beginning to ready themselves for the coming summer season. With that in mind, city commissioners have scheduled a special meeting to conduct permit-of-compliance hearings for an existing restaurant, a new restaurant and an existing market looking to add restaurant services.

The first hearing is for Egg at 510 Rehoboth Ave. Under the name Missi’s Egg LLC, owner Melissa Moore has submitted an application to modify the floor plan of an existing restaurant serving alcoholic beverages with a patio. The restaurant opened in late 2016. The space, located on the right just east of the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal, was the longtime home to McQuay’s Market.

The second hearing is for Drift at 42 ½ Baltimore Ave. Under the name Drift Rehoboth Beach LLC, an application has been submitted to operate a new restaurant serving alcoholic beverages that includes two patios. The restaurant is the first project for Second Block Hospitality Group, which consists of The Pines owners Bob Suppies, Tyler Townsend and David Gonce, and Chef Lion Gardner.

The last hearing is for Coho’s Market at 305 Rehoboth Ave. According to the city’s notice, JAM has applied for a permit to operate a new restaurant serving alcoholic beverages that includes a patio.

The Rehoboth Avenue space was the longtime home to Grub Grocery. Rick Hardy and Dave Lyons opened the market in May 2020 and then sold it to JAM Holdings in December. JAM Holdings, owned and operated by Mark Hunker and Jeff McCracken, is the parent company for JAM Bistro, Eden Restaurant, the under-construction Red White and Basil on Route 1 near Rehoboth, and the Duplex Diner in Washington, D.C.

Typically, permit-of-compliance hearings are conducted by commissioners during their voting meeting, which is the third Friday of each month.

However, said Lynne Coan, city spokesperson, it’s unusual to conduct three three hearings on the same date. As a result, she said, Mayor Stan Mills and City Manager Sharon Lynn decided to hold a special meeting for these hearings so the regular-meeting agenda was not too crowded.

The hearings are slated to begin at 9 a.m., Tuesday, March 8. As of press deadline, they will all be virtual. People wishing to speak must preregister by emailing City Secretary Ann Womack, awomack@cityofrehoboth.com, at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. A full agenda and meeting materials are accessible at cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net. For more information, call 302-227-6181.

Red White & Basil applies for liquor license

JAM Holdings has a second establishment with a pending application to sell alcohol.

According to a notice from the Alcohol Beverage Control Commissioner, Red White and Basil applied Feb. 7 for a restaurant liquor license that includes Sunday, and a patio for a property at 20200 Coastal Highway, Rehoboth. According to the notice, there will be no external speakers.

This is the property on the southbound side of Route 1, between Coldwell Banker and Fractured Prune. It used to be home to Bonkey’s Ice Cream and Mr. Copy.

The ABCC is required to hold a hearing if it receives one or more documents containing at least 10 signatures of residents or property owners located within one mile of the property. Protests must be received by Wednesday, March 9. 

To file an objection to the granting of this license, write the ABCC at the Carvel State Office Building, 820 North French St., 3rd Floor, Wilmington, DE 19801. For more information, call the commissioner’s office at 302-577-5222.