The Pines, Fins granted permits

Two Rehoboth Beach restaurants were granted permits of compliance to allow both entities to pursue liquor licenses.  

The Pines, 56 Baltimore Ave., was granted a permit for a new restaurant with a small patio. Taking over the former Hobos space, The Pines will have two levels of seating with a bar area on the first level.

Owners Tyler Townsend and Bob Suppies said they plan to open the restaurant in spring 2018. Suppies said the restaurant’s interior decor will pay tribute to old Rehoboth.

“We’re really excited about this,” Suppies said.

The commissioners and members of the public all applauded Townsend and Suppies for breathing life into a building that has been sitting vacant on one of the city’s busiest streets.

Frank Cooper, 96 East Lake Drive, said, “We’re really glad to see you take the space and renew it.”

Meanwhile, Jeff Hamer, owner of Fins Fish House and Raw Bar, 243 Rehoboth Ave., was granted a permit of compliance for the restaurant to undergo an extensive renovation.

Building inspector Dam Molina said the seated dining area on the first and second floors will be increased, with 14 more seats on the first floor and eight more seats on the second floor.

Hamer said the changes have enabled him to make the building more handicapped accessible, by installing an elevator, opening up extra table space and adding a bathroom. He said the bar has been moved to the center of the dining room to make room for three tables that are accessible for people with disabilities. Hamer said they are reducing the bar size while keeping the kitchen area the same.

Howard Menaker, 16 Dover St., who uses a wheelchair, thanked Hamer for considering those with disabilities in the redesign of his restaurant.