Beaches aims to bring back magic of Jimmy Lynn’s

When Don Allan picked up his final order from Jimmy Lynn’s on Christmas Eve two years ago, it was an emotional experience. He said he and his family had been regulars at the Lewes seafood market for many years, and it was difficult to see the business close.

After Jimmy Lynn’s successor, Geyer’s, went out of business after just a year, Allan said, he was determined to bring the magic back to Lewes, even going so far as to hire Jimmy and Lynn Parks back on a full-time basis.

“The teachers that we have in Jimmy and Lynn - it’s priceless,” Allan said.

Beaches Seafood Market opened Oct. 6 on southbound Route 1. Witty messages on the sign out front kept customers updated on progress throughout the renovation process, but it also built a level of anticipation that has resulted in a restaurant full of customers in its first few weeks, said Lori Allan, Don’s wife and business partner.

“We had so many comments about the sign when we opened,” she said.

Many of the messages playfully made light of the long time it took to renovate and open the restaurant. “OMG … We’re really opening soon,” one message read. “Seriously, we’re opening soon,” read another.

The Allans also own Willow Creek Homes and Actually Clean, so their time was already stretched thin. When a permitting issue delayed the project, Don said, he had to come to Beaches after work to continue the renovation.

“There was a lot of blood, sweat and tears,” Lori said.

The result is a new, larger restaurant. What was once a take-out seafood market, now has a sit-down, dine-in experience, with a small four-seat bar, 30-seat dining room and 42-seat outdoor patio. Concrete floors were covered with tile and bathroom facilities were upgraded.

“We were planning on doing a little bit [of renovation], but when we got into it we just wanted it to be us,” Don said. “So we really just gutted it. Everything is brand new.”

Wear and tear of the years really warranted a complete facelift, Don said.

“It needed to be redone,” he said.

The menu is designed to be reasonably priced, offering a variety of fresh seafood selections and traditional American fare. Back on the menu is Lynn’s cream of crab soup and Lynn’s crabby eggs along with other time-honored recipes the Allans have picked up from friends and family, such as Granny’s potato salad, Don’s mother’s recipe; and Carl’s cole slaw, created by Lori’s dad. Other favorites so far, Lori said, are crab cakes, spicy chili, burgers and Beaches’ foot-long hot dog.

Beaches has fish delivered fresh daily, and a wide selection is offered in its display cases. Items offered in the freezer are vacuum-sealed and frozen fresh by the Beaches staff.

Don says Beaches’ crabs are priced below most others in the area. He said they are able to do that because they have a license to buy crabs directly off the dock in Maryland.

“We want people to enjoy food without paying an arm and a leg,” he said.

Beaches also has a liquor license and sells beer, wine and mixed drinks. Beaches is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday through Monday, year round. Happy hour specials are offered daily from 2 to 5 p.m. and all day Sunday.

“We’ve already had some people here four or five times already,” Don said. “That’s a good thing.”

For more information, go to www.beachesseafoodmarket.com or call 302-644-9329.