The Delaware Restaurant Association honored The Starboard restaurant with its 2009 Cornerstone Award, a lifetime achievement award presented in recognition of the iconic Dewey Beach restaurant’s outstanding achievements and dedication as a cornerstone of its community.
Delaware Restaurant Association (DRA) Director Sydney Arzt presented the award to The Starboard owner Steve “Monty” Montgomery at a ceremony Nov. 16, at Dover Downs.
“Today we recognize The Starboard for its 50 years of incredible contribution to our community,” Arzt said.
Cheers, laughter and applause grew in response to questions attesting to the restaurant’s popularity as Arzt asked, “How many of you have been to The Starboard? How many of you have run with its bull? How many of you have enjoyed its fabulous Bloody Mary bar and breakfasts? How many of you have kissed a stranger at The Starboard?”
The cast in a short video about the restaurant was like a Dewey Who’s Who: Dewey matriarch Alice Walsh, Dewey Beach Planning & Zoning Chairman Harry Wilson, The Starboard DJ of 28 years John Hardy, former owner Chip Hearn, former manager Claire Walsh, and former Dewey mayors Bruce Vavala and Dell Tush. The stories carried a consistent message of people who have fun and who care for each other and for the community of which they are a part.
Montgomery, who started working at the door as a teenager and later moved on to being a bar back and finally a bartender, recalled the day Hearn spoke to him about buying The Starboard.
“You love this place and can take it to the next level. You should buy it,” Montgomery recalled Hearn saying.
He responded with, “All I’ve got is $37. Do you want that?” Hearn told him he needed investors. Montgomery found them.
Montgomery said being part of The Starboard is the coolest thing there is. “It’s incredible. I love what I do,” he said. The Starboard’s success, Montgomery said, is the result of the hard work, genuine caring and dedication of many, including his wife Dee Dee, parents Barbara and Charlie Montgomery, partners, staff and patrons.
“Monty added to the vision of previous owners to transform the restaurant into a worldwide tourist attraction while maintaining an unyielding commitment and making major contributions to the local community,” said DRA President and CEO Carrie Leishman.
Among its contributions, DRA listed The Starboard’s marquee event, the Running of the Bull, which raises more than $6,000 for the Dewey Beach Police Department, and the annual Touchdowns for Kids celebrity golf tournament that raises more than $20,000 a year for local youth sports leagues and activities.
“The Starboard is involved in just about every promotion and community event in Dewey Beach,” said Leishman.
Though closed for the 2009 season, The Starboard will reopen Thursday Dec. 31, for its 11th Annual New Year’s Eve Bash, featuring LauraLea and Tripp Fabulous.
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