Rehoboth’s Cracker Barrel looking to sell alcohol

Looking to join the hordes of other restaurants serving alcohol locally, Rehoboth Beach’s Cracker Barrel has applied for a liquor license. According to a public notice in the Feb. 9 issue of the Cape Gazette, the restaurant sent an application to Delaware’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Commissioner Feb. 3. The restaurant has applied for a permit allowing beer and wine sales, and for alcohol to be sold on Sundays.

Founded in 1969 in Lebanon, Tenn., Cracker Barrel announced at the corporate level in September the chain would begin selling alcohol. The local branch in Rehoboth, 19550 Coastal Highway, opened in January 2002.

Kristen Fraser, Cracker Barrel senior corporate communications manager, said prior to the pandemic, the company had begun testing a beer and wine program in response to strong feedback from guests. The expectation is to roll out the program to nearly 600 locations by the end of July, said Fraser, in an email Feb. 10.

“Our guests have told us that offering beer and wine would reduce the veto vote – that is, those guests who would choose Cracker Barrel for a given dining occasion, but ultimately go elsewhere because they would like to have a beer or a glass of wine with their meal – especially during weekend dinner,” said Fraser.

Individuals concerned about the potential license can voice their concerns to the ABCC commissioner. The commissioner is required to hold a hearing if he receives one or more documents containing at least 10 signatures of residents or property owners located within one mile of the property.

To file an objection to the granting of this license, write the ABCC commissioner at the Carvel State Office Building, 820 North French St., 3rd floor, Wilmington, DE 19801. The protests must be received by Friday, March 5. For more information, call the commissioner’s office at 302-577-5222.