In 2023, Delmarva said goodbye to iconic businesses, restaurants and more: What closed
Olivia Minzola, Salisbury Daily Times
6 min read
The Delmarva Peninsula welcomed plenty of new businesses in 2023. Yet, the occasional closure did come to pass. Before diving head first into 2024, take a look back at this year's most notable closures along the Eastern Shore.
Which business, big or small, will you miss the most? Let us know online.
Ocean City
Casita Linda
218 Baltimore Ave.
Inside of Casita Linda, a Mexican bakery and breakfast cafe, is set to open its doors on Thursday, April 25, 2019.
Authentic Mexican restaurant and bakery Casita Linda closed its doors on Oct. 1, 2023, at 218 Baltimore Ave. Casita Linda, which opened May 2019, advised customers to continue to follow along on social media for future announcements as the business revitalizes its inspiration, restores its values and looks for a new home.
"Our regulars, local and far, Mexican or not Mexican, who enjoyed talking to us about our culture — we can't thank you enough for everything," Casita Linda said online. "Letting go of this beautiful location has to do with growth. We have more to offer and want to step away to reevaluate the way we do things. Our mission is still the same."
"We experienced the pandemic on this corner of 3rd Street only two weeks after opening for our second season, and grew through it," it added. "We felt community love and thrived. We have met familias and friends on this corner. The people we have had the privilege of working with us (are) priceless, they too have become familia."
Ocean City's Taphouse Bar & Grille has announced the sudden closure of its 4th Street Boardwalk location, located at 407 Atlantic Ave. on Saturday, March 4, 2023.
Iconic Ocean City restaurant 4th Street Taphouse Bar & Grille closed during spring 2023 on the historic Boardwalk. The closure was a direct result of the restaurant's inability to renew its lease for the 2023 season. The restaurant operates two other locations, on 45th Street and 137th Street.
"To our amazing customers, it truly pains me to type this out and announce this. We've had an amazing eight-year run. Due to things out of our control, we are being forced to close our doors," said Zev Sibony, CEO of Ocean City Taphouse Restaurant Group, in a March 1 Facebook post.
Hogfin Smokehouse
12513 Ocean Gateway
West Ocean City's new barbeque restaurant, Hogfin Smokehouse, closed the same year it first opened. The building will soon be home to Taphouse West Bar & Grille, a brand-new Taphouse restaurant.
Bed Bath & Beyond has closed its West Ocean City location at 12641 Ocean Gateway as of March 2023.
West Ocean City's Bed Bath & Beyond, located at 12641 Ocean Gateway, closed March 2023. The closure followed the company's announcement to close more stores due to bankruptcy.
The company reported in late January that it would be closing additional locations in Annapolis, Westminster and Ocean City. These closures leave nine locations remaining in Maryland.
Salisbury
Alibaba Mediterranean & American Grill
817 Snow Hill Rd
Alibaba Grill, a Mediterranean restaurant owned by Jafar Salem, has officially closed its doors at 817 Snow Hill Road. The restaurant served authentic cuisine to the Salisbury community and beyond.
Desi Pizzeria, an Indian-Italian fusion restaurant owned by Vaibhav and Ciara Chalke, offers signature house-made recipes Thursday, March 23, 2023, in Salisbury, Maryland.
New Salisbury eatery Desi Pizzeria closed the same year it opened. The quaint pizzeria, owned by Vaibhav and Ciara Chalke, offered house-made, signature Indian-Italian fusion recipes. The restaurant had moved into the former home of Alibaba Mediterranean & American Grill.
Chuar Restaurant and Bar
1306 S Salisbury Blvd Unit 166
Beloved Chinese eatery Chuar Restaurant and Bar, created by Mary Tindall, officially closed its doors to the surrounding community on Sept. 28, 2023. The owner's recent health issues led to the eatery's untimely closure.
Chuar, which translates from Chinese to "kabob," was a restaurant focused on just that, Delmarva Now previously reported. Over the years, the eatery offered a variety of chuar, including meats, seafood and vegetables.
Squeaky's Cafe across the street from Washington Inn and Tavern Friday, March 17, 2023, in Princess Anne, Maryland.
Squeaky's Café has officially closed its original location at 11779 Somerset Ave. The café will now shift its focus to its newer location at Princess Anne’s Washington Inn and Tavern, where it will continue to offer patrons breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Deal Island
Arby's Dockside Bar & Grill
8954 MD-363
After 39 years in business, Arby’s Dockside Bar and Grill has closed permanently. Its last day under current management was April 30, 2023. Yet, the business is seeking a new buyer, Arby Holland told Delmarva Now. While Holland is stepping down, he noted he hopes to continue to be a fixture in the new establishment and the Deal Island community.
Arby's General Store, owned by Arby Holland and located at 8954 Deal Island Rd on Deal Island, will close its doors after 39 years on April 30. The community staple will have a farewell party on that day and the public is invited to celebrate it's legacy.
“We don’t have new customers, we have new friends. We’ve worked so long and hopefully someone will step in and take it from here. I’m so appreciative of everyone who have come in and my family and I appreciate the support we’ve received over the years,” said Holland, recollecting on lifelong relationships cultivated over the eatery and general store’s tenure.
Just Hooked in Fenwick Island, shown in this 2012 photo, has been sold to Fins Hospitality Group. The restaurant closed on Feb. 26.
Popular seafood restaurant Just Hooked, located at 1500 Coastal Highway in Fenwick, closed its doors forever on Feb. 26, 2023, after 11 successful years in business.
Common Ground Hospitality, a well-known restaurant group with multiple locations in Maryland and Delaware, announced the sale of the Just Hooked site in Fenwick Island to Fins Hospitality Group.
Rehoboth Beach
Hammerheads Dockside
39413 Inlet Rd
Hammerheads Dockside at the Indian River Inlet.
After 10 successful seasons along the shore, Hammerheads Dockside is now closed at the Indian River Inlet. The seafood restaurant announced its “involuntary” closure online.
"There’s no room for little fish in Delaware anymore," began the restaurant in a Jan 31. Facebook post. "We want to publicly announce that Hammerheads Dockside’s days have, involuntarily, come to an end. We hoped to continue for many seasons to come, but unfortunately the State of Delaware has chosen a different path."
According to the post, the state awarded the contract to Big Fish Restaurant Group following months of negotiations and submitted proposals.
After 41 years in business, bustling beach bar and grill The Pond has closed its doors permanently in Rehoboth Beach. The restaurant, known for its American grub, dinner specials and frequent music and trivia nights, grew to become a staple in the beach town.
"All of us at The Pond want to thank everyone for all your support over the many years," the restaurant said online. "There have been many great times and so many friendships have been made because of chance meetings at The Pond. For that, we are very grateful."
Lewes
East of Maui Surf Shop
48 Cape Henlopen Drive
Local business East of Maui Surf Shop has closed its Lewes location permanently as of fall 2023. The surf shop's original location in Dewey Beach remains open.
East of Maui has been supplying the Delaware beaches with products for surfing, kiteboarding, winging, foiling, skimboarding, windsurfing, stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking since 1979.
Olivia Minzola covers communities on the Lower Shore. Contact her with tips and story ideas at ominzola@delmarvanow.com.
