Café Azafran Rehoboth Beach permit OK’d

The Rehoboth Beach commissioners unanimously approved a permit of compliance for Café Azafran, paving the way for the restaurant to open a new location at 18 Baltimore Ave.

Café Azafran owner Richard Steele said if all goes to plan, the new location will be open in early May. The restaurant will continue to operate at 109 Market St. in Lewes.

“The building is around the same size as Café Azafran in Lewes, with many large windows in the front room and a great back yard for outdoor seating,” Steele said.

He said the new location will be similar to the Lewes restaurant, with café service for breakfast, a coffee and espresso bar, Mediterranean lunch fare, al fresco dining and tapas, desserts and a wine list.

There will also be a small bar for customers to wait or have a cocktail before dinner, Steele said.

Steele said, “My son, Ryan, just graduated from The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill in Philadelphia and I was looking to expand. Last summer I was talking to Wayne Hawkins and Shauna Thompson, great Azafran customers, and they were telling me about their 18 Baltimore Ave. location and that the lease would become available in January, My wife, Jackie, and I checked it out and loved it.”

Fun In The Sun scooter shop, which moved to Rehoboth Avenue, formerly occupied the location.

“I think having another location only increases our exposure and our customer base. We’re hoping it will also bring new customers to the Lewes location,” he said.

At the Friday, March 19 permit hearing, Rehoboth Beach Main Street Executive Administrator Jenny Barger said, “We are in support of Café Azafran coming to downtown Rehoboth. We think it will be a great addition to the beach block of Baltimore Avenue.”