Businesses React to Rearranged Barriers

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del.- There's a new look for the barriers in Rehoboth Beach accommodating more businesses after some said the barriers were taking away too much parking. This was the first weekend that the barriers were rearranged to try and accommodate more of the businesses in Rehoboth Beach. Where outdoor seating is available, the barriers still provide a walkway for people. Restaurants on the Avenue say the change works for them and even on Wilmington Avenue, Mariachi's is using the outdoor space and says the additional parking has helped.   "We're down perhaps 15 to 20 percent some days," says Yolanda Pineda, Owner of Maricahi's. "We survive on the weekends mostly now." The city says it will continue to reevaluate the barriers and situation in Rehoboth Beach at the next meeting on June 30th. Chad Miller with Pet Wants says the barriers were removed from the front of his store. He said he noticed more people in the city, but doesn't think the parking was the reason why. "I don't know that the parking really made a difference but I did hear a lot of people comment that they were happy that it was removed that way they could have more parking down here on the Avenue," Miller said. Mariachi's says it has been doing mainly outdoor seating per customers' request. Pineda says she is happy with how the city has helped them. "You know Rehoboth is a unique town that supports the businesses," she says. "People like to come to Rehoboth because Rehoboth is family oriented and it's clean."  Some businesses say they even hope that it stays this way throughout the rest of the summer and even to next year of the city will allow it.