Surf’s Up riding high through the winter

Businesses throughout the country are feeling the effects of a slumping economy, but that hasn’t discouraged Billy Lewis one bit. This year, he opted to keep the doors of his Bethany Beach business, Surf’s Up, open all year, a decision few throughout the area have made. With customers continually coming back for his food and friendly service, Lewis has also been preserving one of the original stops in downtown Bethany.

Coastal Point • Jesse Pryor
Billy Lewis, manager of Surf’s Up in Bethany Beach, has kept the restaurant open during the winter, despite the economic crisis the country is in.
“It’s definitely been a tough season for everyone,” Lewis said. “It was a rough winter, and we were looking to get a jump start for the spring. We weren’t sure how this quiet little town would be affected this off-season.”

From pizzas by the slice to mouth-watering cheesesteaks, Surf’s Up’s customers have been “hanging 10” with the unmistakable aroma – something Bethany can claim for nearly 30 years. Surf’s Up is one of the few establishments in town that can trace its start back at least 25 years, along with Rhodes’ 5 & 10, Bethany Surf Shop and the town’s Shore Foods grocery store.

“We haven’t changed anything,” Lewis said. “We still have the same environment and the same quality of food. We’re trying to get the regular crowd here. We’re letting people know that this is where the locals go. Come summertime, they don’t get to enjoy everything they can now, like the parking and the empty sidewalks.”

Open six days a week for lunch, the pizza and sub shop is currently offering $5.99 specials, from a 6-inch cheesesteak or half-pound burger with fries to a 6-inch tuna sub with chips. Two pizza slices with a topping, or a hot ham and cheese sandwich with a cup of soup, are also on the special menu.

Businesses all around have been closing their doors this winter, stemming from the ongoing economy crisis.

“We definitely felt it starting back with the bank scare this past August,” said Lewis. “Everybody’s pocket around here hurt a little bit, and business owners decided not to stay open. Customers weren’t traveling as far as they had before.”

With 28 years and counting, however, Surf’s Up has stayed loyal to its patrons. Lewis has been working at the restaurant for 18 years and took over as manager four years ago.

“I’ve been here forever,” he said, “and people who knew me keep coming back.”

From his time working in Bethany, Lewis has seen the highs and lows of the economy.

“Right now,” he said, “everyone’s crying the blues. Everybody wants to make more and do better, but in the early ’80s and the beginning of ’90s, there was no money in Delaware. People are comparing what we have today to the 10- to 12-year stretch of building and growing that we had before. It’s just not the same.”

He spent many of his off-seasons in the past, when Surf’s Up closed their doors, working construction, but being one of the only lunch stops in downtown Bethany sounded more promising this year. And with a new commander-in-chief at the helm, Lewis is anticipating an even bigger boom this coming summer.

“This past season was one of the down summers,” he said, “but it’s a new presidential year. Every time the president changes, business gets good, no matter which party he represents. Clinton got in, and we had good business. Bush’s first year in office was great year for us. Now we’ve got Obama, and you know he’s going to do something that helps somebody. People like to see that new hope and change of pace.”

Pizza tosser and Surf’s Up employee John Speziale has noticed this winter that even some of the summertime regulars are making their way back on the weekends.

“We’re seeing the same weekend crowd, and it’s really cool,” he said. “A lot of people come down from D.C. to get stuff done or check up on their beach house.”

It’s these familiar faces that have especially helped the business thrive this winter.

“They’re here when they come to town,” said Lewis. “They love supporting local businesses that have been here for years, and they come here because they know us. Our employees are friendly and welcoming, and we bend over backwards for our customers. The customers know if they don’t help out places like this, we wouldn’t be here.”

Lewis and his staff has seen generation after generation return to Surf’s Up, and each time, he notes, is special.

“We’ve watched kids grow up, and now they have families of their own,” he said. “It’s really cool to see that.”

Stop into Surf’s Up along Garfield Parkway, Wednesdays through Mondays, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. or call (302) 539-5742 for more information.