Bethany Beach Diner and Maui Wowi may have spent a considerably short time along Garfield Parkway, but the two food-service establishments will soon make way for a new dining experience: The Penguin Café.
Coastal Point • RUSLANA LAMBERT:
The Penguin Café now resides where Maui Wowi and the Bethany Beach Diner operated last year.
Owners and business partners Mark Neumann and Alex White — formerly the operators of Maui Wowi — saw opportunity to expand their business into what they’ve always wanted.
“I’ve had the idea [of running a family restaurant] for a while now,” said White, “and it’s finally coming together.” Lynn and Jim Rickards, who owned the diner next door, put the property up for sale earlier this year. “We saw this as a great chance to expand,” White added.
“I’ve always wanted to add another quality restaurant to Bethany Beach,” said Neumann, the father of a 7-year-old and a 12-year-old. “It’s important to come up with fun themes, too. That’s one of the keys to family dining.”
Following the purchase of the new property, renovation to join the two businesses into one under the penguin-themed umbrella began quickly. So quickly, in fact, that White said he plans to debut the new penguin-themed eatery this weekend.
“I’ve been here nonstop, trying to get things together,” he said. As of early this week, approvals on signs and finalizations of permits were all that White and Neumann were seeking. “The plumbers and electricians have already come out, and everything’s coming together nicely.”
The middle wall that once divided the diner and the smoothie/coffee shop will be coming down to double the floor space. And, judging by what’s in store for The Penguin Diner, the more space, the merrier.
“We’re going to be more than just a friendly, family restaurant,” White added.
A specific portion of the newly renovated building will sell penguin souvenirs and memorabilia.
The previous Bethany Beach Diner half of the building is planned to be the only side in operation for the new restaurant’s opening this weekend. Construction will continue later this week to finish off the formerly-Maui Wowi side, with a grand opening date set for The Penguin Diner around the first of May.
“All we’re basically doing,” said White, “is turning two restaurants into one. We aren’t really rebuilding. It’s mostly cosmetics, here on out.”
The diner side will keep its black-and-white tile theme to go along with the Arctic-bird decor. Photos of Elvis and Marilyn Monroe will be replaced by the pictures of the tuxedo-garbed waddlers.
As for food, customers can still expect to get the diner experience, with burgers and sandwiches, but they can also now stop in for breakfast.
“There are only a couple places around here that push a breakfast menu,” said White.
For those who hate to see Maui Wowi leave, not all hope is lost.
“We still have our espresso machine,” he added, “and smoothies are still going to be a big hit in the summertime. They won’t be Maui Wowi smoothies, but I think people will still appreciate them being here.”
As of Tuesday, White was awaiting the final word for the Penguin Diner’s liquor license, as well, which will allow the diner to sell alcoholic beverages.
“It’ll be a nice thing for families to come to,” said White. “The kids can come and enjoy the atmosphere and the parents can get what they want.” Customers will enjoy seeing familiar faces as well, added White, as employees of the Bethany Beach Diner and Maui Wowi will be returning.
So, why penguins? White and Neumann said, why not? “We wanted to get away from the Hawaiian thing,” noted White. “Penguins are hot right now and they bring a personality.”
With the successful movies such “March of the Penguins” and the animated, family film “Happy Feet,” penguins are indeed hot right now. “Surf’s Up,” another CGI (computer-generated imagery) animated film about penguins and their surfing society, is set to premiere this summer. “It just kind of worked out for us,” said Neumann. “We didn’t know it was coming out, but it sure won’t hurt our business.”
Penguins weren’t the first choice for the owners. “I batted around the idea of using every animal imaginable,” said Neumann, who was inspired by a cow-themed restaurant in which he ate. It was actually his daughter who came up with the idea for penguins.
“Something about penguins puts a smile on people’s faces,” Neumann said.