Dollars & Sense

Seizing a niche in the restaurant scene along the Delaware beaches can be a daunting task. In such a competitive market, catering to seasonal and year-round patrons doesn’t come easy, but restaurateur Steve Hagan has managed it so successfully with Off the Hook in Bethany Beach that it has merited an expansion into Fenwick Island with his newest project, Just Hooked. At both restaurants, Hagan is finding that success can come easy with the right product and cordial hospitality.

With the new bridge well under way and recent fishing success along the Delaware and Maryland coasts, the Indian River Inlet has been getting some welcome attention. Starting this coming week, the facility gets some more attention, as they cater to boaters, fishing enthusiasts and visitors alike with the opening of the Indian River Marina Café and General Store, located beside the Indian River Inlet Marina.

For Michael Loftus of Loftus Wealth Strategies, the start of the economic slump in 2008 wasn’t a reason to pack up and go home, it was an opportunity to try new things and take some risks.

The D’Ortone family always wanted quality Italian food at the beach, without the beach prices.

Last year, husband-and-wife team Jeff and Janilyn Elias made a statement in Fenwick Island, introducing Indulgence, a pet and gift store in the Village of Fenwick. Seeing a need to reach out to more shoppers and keep them in the area, they have since added on to their venture, opening The Bookend Café – a book store and coffee shop – also in the Village.

A lot has changed in 30 years at the beach. Real estate has peaked, leveled and dropped; and beaches have been replenished. Storms have come and gone, buildings have been torn down and re-built and the population has exploded.

Last year, Delmarva Board Sport Adventures made a splash in the area, bringing the excitement and exhilaration that accompany board sports. Now, with a solid location established, and a bevy of activities and events on the calendar – from stand-up paddle (SUP) board and windsurfing rentals, lessons and sales, to beach clean-ups, demo days and SUP board yoga – Delmarva Board Sport Adventures is showing why board sports are one of the region’s hottest trends.

After devoting years in the restaurant business, Fatih Ocak decided it was time to take the reins himself. Last week, he opened the Frankford Family Diner on Route 113, and it has already gained a following, providing patrons with a wide range of comfort foods and hearty dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. From soups and salads, sandwiches and burgers to Italian and seafood dishes, the Frankford Family Diner offers something for everyone.

For over a quarter of a century, Frank and Audrey Serio with RE/MAX by the Sea, have been an integral part of the region’s real estate business. Now, with a new location and an economy on the upswing, they hope to reach even more clients throughout the area.

Since the early 1990’s, La Tonalteca has ranked as one of the top authentic Mexican restaurants throughout the state and region. And already their newest location, in Millsboro, is seeing to it that more and more customers are getting a spicy taste from south of the border.

Let’s face it. Most of us are ready for summer to get here – sunny skies, warmer temperatures and a savory, refreshing ice cream cone. Bonnie and Keith Gordon certainly are, and they’ve wasted no time in bringing a little bit of the summer spirit to the Delaware shore. Their York, Pa.-area ice cream and snowball shop – Bonkey’s – has created such a stir that they decided to share their success, opening their third location in Millville, along Route 26, this past week.

Atlantic Auto Repair LLC has wasted no time establishing itself as a local, dependable body shop in Millville since the end of last fall, and owner Kevin Martin says catering to the customer is the key to his success. Accompanied by head technician Rob Bochanski and new hire Tony Gallagher, Martin plans to reach out to clients in any way he can, ensuring quality work and reliable service.

As a recovering economy slowly, yet surely, claws its way back, those who have all but lost patience in the rollercoaster ride of the real estate market may finally be able to catch their breath these days. Prudential Gallo real estate agent Barbara Morales has reason to believe that an upturn is right around the corner. Will you be ready when it arrives?

Local builder Mike Cummings knew that serving his community through local, residential and light construction was a passion he’d develop and use as a driving motivator. He just didn’t know how much he’d miss it once it wasn’t there.

Ever since co-founding Miken Companies in 1986 at the age of 25, Cummings had turned to community involvement through construction.

Operating for 19 years is a triumph for most restaurants in a resort area, even during the best of economic times. However, no business is immune to rising overhead and food costs, and the difficulties presented by the current wave of economic storms, and despite having devoted followers, the owner of Jordan’s Rooftop Restaurant has chosen to retire to let others continue at the same location.