More Businesses Make Plans to Leave Downtown Rehoboth Beach and Relocate in 2021

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del.- A lot of change is coming to downtown Rehoboth Beach, as a few of the well-known places will be on the move in 2021, and who only knows if more will be following them. First Nicola's, now The Pond announcing plans to move locations in 2021. Agave changed its plans earlier this year as well, which the Chamber of Commerce says isn't a shock but it still hurts. Carol Everhart, President of Rehoboth-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce said, "You hate to lose your icons and that's what you're talking about." The Pond posting that after nearly 40 years downtown, it plans to move to the old TGI Friday's on Route One. The restaurant says it made the decision for one simple reason, location. While Nicola's made the same decision a few months back with plans to move to a different spot in route one. For many people, these places are their main reason to visit. Christopher Hall, from Lexington Kentucky said, "That's why I extended my stay three nights in a row. I've extended just because everybody here is saying this may not be what you come back to." Everhart said she expects 30 percent or more businesses downtown to close or relocate. Sometimes, it's about what the new locations have to offer. "Made businesses who may have been having others whether it was a parking issue, meters or those types of things, rent, look at this a new way," she said. In a Facebook post the Pond says, "We know change can be tough, but we promise that The Pond will remain the place “where the locals hang out”." Everhart says the locations being left do still carry prime real estate, and hopes that when and if a new business moves in, they can fill the shoes that were left. "I'm going to enjoy it for what it is and if it changes, hopefully for the better," Hall said. The Rehoboth Beach Planning Commission mentioned Friday about businesses planning to relocate, but the city says the discussion did not lead to any actions or incentives to keep businesses in Rehoboth Beach.