Fine-dining Fifty Nine moves closer to opening in Rehoboth
A new fine-dining restaurant in Rehoboth Beach took a step closer to opening when city commissioners unanimously approved a permit of compliance Oct. 17.
Located on the corner of Baltimore Avenue and Second Street, the one-story building was the longtime home to Mark Showell Interiors, which closed in June 2023. There have been heavy interior renovations taking place for months, including the removal of all the previously existing interior walls.
When construction is complete, under the name Fifty Nine, there will be a fine-dining restaurant at the center of the space that has a 35-seat dining area and a seven-seat bar.
Chef/owner David Kneller represented the business at the code-mandated hearing that was triggered because alcohol will be served.
There were a few questions about trash removal, dance floors and outdoor dining. Trash will be removed along the building’s north alley, and there is no dance floor or outdoor dining, said Kneller.
Mayor Stan Mills asked when the restaurant will open.
Kneller said this winter, but he didn’t want to set a specific date.
According to the Fifty Nine website, the in-season kitchen hours will be 4 to 10 p.m., Wednesday through Monday, while the off-season kitchen hours will be 4 to 10 p.m., Thursday through Sunday. Throughout the year, the bar will be open until 11 p.m., and there will be a Sunday brunch, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For more information on Fifty Nine, 59 Baltimore Ave., go to fiftyninerehoboth.com, call 302-390-0162.
Chris Flood has been working for the Cape Gazette since early 2014. He currently covers Rehoboth Beach and Henlopen Acres, but has also covered Dewey Beach and the state government. He covers environmental stories, business stories and random stories on subjects he finds interesting, and he also writes a column called Choppin’ Wood that runs every other week. He’s a graduate of the University of Maine and the Landing School of Boat Building & Design.
