Hammerheads Dockside has closed after the location was put up for grabs by the State of Delaware.
Hammerheads Dockside announced its “involuntary” closure in a Facebook post last week, stating that after a “record-breaking 2022 season,” the State of Delaware ultimately decided to award the site’s contract to Big Fish Restaurant Group after several months of negotiations “without any explanation.”
“We want to thank everyone who made Hammerheads Dockside the wild success it has been, especially throughout the pandemic,” the restaurant said in a statement. “We truly couldn’t have done it without all of you. Dockside was a magical place where we all have so many fun and special memories.”
The restaurant is located on the Indian River Marina within Delaware Seashore State Park and had been leased to the owners of Hammerheads Dockside, George Bendler and Cohen Sade, since 2013. The land is managed by the State of Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) through the Division of Parks and Recreation.
Bendler and Sade wanted to renew their restaurant lease for a 25-year term, following the current 10-year term’s expiration on Feb. 28, 2023, and planned to expand the building to accommodate year-round dining and events, according to the Facebook post.
“We have sincerely enjoyed the past 10 seasons and hope you have too. We hope big fish will make our customers as happy as we have for the past 10 years,” restaurant representatives said.
Big Fish Restaurant Group, which owns other local restaurants like Mikimotos in Wilmington, Striper Bites in Lewes and Stingray in Rehoboth Beach, declined to comment on its plans for the Hammerheads Dockside location until the site contract is finalized.
When contacted for comment about its decision to select a new renter for the Hammerheads Dockside site, DNREC’s Division of Parks of Recreation Indian River Marina staff declined to comment or share information about when the bid process and contract associated with the location would be fully executed.
Throughout its 10-year tenure in the area, Hammerheads Dockside became known for its waterfront views and chicken wings, which have been voted the best of Delaware, along with its raw bar selection that included items like Rehoboth Bay oysters, tuna tataki and shrimp cocktail.
The menu also featured an array of sandwiches and salads infused with coastal flare and an extensive drink selection filled with crushes, cocktails, craft beers and more.
Dockside is home to many memories for the staff, and it’s not easy to let go of a venture they put their all into, said Bendler.
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“We built it from scratch. It was just a grass area there,” he said. “We had a passion for this place. It wasn’t just money for us.”
Bendler’s father helped paint the tables at the restaurant and his mother helped decorate the place. Later, Bendler ended up meeting his now-wife at the location and even ended up holding their wedding party there, he said.
Dockside’s Dewey Beach location previously was sold so the owners could focus solely on the Delaware Seashore State Park establishment. Now with the loss of Dockside, Bendler isn’t sure what his next steps will be.
“We don’t have any plans. We’re pretty broken up about the whole thing. We just wanna take some time to make next plans,” he said. “The state’s not speaking to us, not giving us any reason why we weren’t selected.”
“It’s just very disheartening.”
