Sussex County (KGED), Georgetown, Delaware: Arena's restaurant coming to airport

February 26, 2013 4:53 PM
Written by James Fisher, The News Journal


GEORGETOWN — Arena’s, a well-known restaurant group in coastal Sussex County, got permission today to set up shop in the county-owned airport, replacing a restaurant tenant who’s giving up on the location.

The County Council approved a lease agreement with Deli Days LLC, the company that operates four Arena’s restaurants in Rehoboth Beach, Lewes and Long Neck, letting them rent space in the airport for as much as $15,000 a year, depending on sales volume.

The restaurant area of the airport, which overlooks parked planes and a runway, is being vacated in March by operator Paul Buchness, who told the county he isn’t making enough money there to stay open.

Hal Godwin, the deputy county administrator, said Arena’s at the Airport would be open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, and would open Saturday and Sunday mornings for brunch as well. They are experienced restaurateurs, he said.

“They currently gross over $5 million in sales in these four restaurants,” Godwin said. “They have a broad customer base. And one of the major towns they’re not currently serving is Georgetown.”

In their proposal to the county, restaurant partners Matthew Evans and Paul Kuhns said they expect to do a robust takeout business in addition to sit-down dining.

“Due to the close proximity of downtown Georgetown, we would anticipate substantial demand for delivery and carryout,” they wrote. “However, the airport restaurant operation would take priority.”

Source:   http://www.delawareonline.com