SoDel exploring alcohol-serving options for Surf Bagel
With a new owner and the future opening of another location, there have been a number of changes for Surf Bagel in the past year. Now, there’s a possibility the New York-style bagel maker will serve alcohol.
SoDel Concepts, a Rehoboth Beach-based hospitality company, announced in November it had purchased Surf Bagel from brothers Dave and Tom Vitella, who opened the Lewes location in 2004 and the Rehoboth location in 2017.
A few months after announcing the ownership change, in March, SoDel announced it was opening a third location in Milford. That location is expected to be open sometime this year.
More recently, the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commissioner issued two notices – one each for the Lewes and Rehoboth locations – saying applications had been submitted April 29 for a beer and wine restaurant license with Sunday sales. The application for the Lewes location also includes a request for an outdoor patio license. The notices appeared in the April 29 issue of the Cape Gazette.
Caroline Judge, SoDel Concepts spokesperson, said the company does not plan on changing anything at Surf Bagel. SoDel is sticking to breakfast and lunch at all locations, she said.
“We were just interested in obtaining liquor licenses in case we ever wanted to do an event or brunch or something like that down the road,” said Judge in an email April 29.
Drift looking toward late June opening
The two ABCC notices for Surf Bagel weren't the only ones recently published. There was a third for Drift on Baltimore Avenue in Rehoboth Beach.
According to the notice, Second Block Hospitality, a partnership by The Pines owners David Gonce, Bob Suppies, Tyler Townsend and Chef Lion Gardner, applied for a restaurant liquor license April 21.
In September, Second Block announced Drift, 42 ½ Baltimore Ave., was coming in early 2022. In an email April 30, Suppies said there were severe contractor delays and the new projected opening is the end of June. The drywall is being done now, then the floors and final touches before furniture, he said.
