New generation of leaders steps up at Starboard and Blues eateries

A new generation of leadership is stepping up this summer with the opening of Starboard Sauced and Starboard Claw in Dewey Beach, and Bethany Blues’ new Downtown Blues in Rehoboth Beach.

Steve “Monty” Montgomery and his two business partners of the Starboard and their affiliated restaurants have a core value of taking the very best care of their people. With the opening of these restaurants, they are stepping further into that mission by vesting longtime employees in ownership of these new businesses.

Montgomery said, “Promoting these younger men and women into our ownership team in these new venues has been our plan. Not only are they smarter than us, they understand so much more as the ones who have been on the floor and working with our restaurant teams for over two decades.”

Growth and investment in their people are something that has made these restaurants more than just businesses. Meg Laird has been promoted to general manager at the Starboard. Joe Lopez is an owner at Sauced, and Keith Kirk and Zach Warner join the ownership at Starboard Claw. Jessica Nathan, who’s been with Bethany Blues of Lewes since day one, is now the managing partner at Downtown Blues. It’s an expansion of family and the re-emergence of a business philosophy where hard work and dedication pay off in the long run. Simply put: Monty and his business associates Jim Weisgerber and Dick Heidenberger help people build their lives in meaningful ways and take pride in their work while also being emotionally invested.

All of this comes through wholeheartedly in the food they serve and the atmospheres they build in places like Bethany Blues, Starboard Raw and the famous Starboard Restaurant. Extending that care and investment into new restaurants with fresh leadership continues to build the family outward, and the new leadership is ready to enthusiastically welcome guests and new friends into their restaurants.

Warner, Starboard Claw co-owner, said, “We could not be happier to finally welcome everyone to one of the best new eateries in Dewey/Rehoboth. We wanted to elevate what dining can look like in Dewey, while staying true to what Dewey is known for, having fun! Guests can come and enjoy a 5-star meal in our beautiful dining room and/or just grab a cocktail on our second-floor deck overlooking Route 1.”