UPDATE: Off Topic--Closed for the Season

Ahh, the time has come...a couple of weeks earlier than originally planned.  The Back Bay Cafe and Marina is now closed for the season.  We will re-open Mid-May 2009.  Mark and I discussed this and tossed some numbers around over the phone, and made the decision that yesterday (Sunday, 9/28) would be our last day this year.  That gives me an extra week to get everything cleaned and put away for the winter. We are both very frustrated with business this year, as is every restaurant/foodservice business locally.  We are down 32% from last year and have heard similar reports form competing area businesses.  The DogHouse actually closed it's doors this summer due to lack of business, although the hot dog cart is still operating at Lowe's on Rt. 1.  It's just one statistic that reflects on the local and national economy.

I will be very busy for the next couple of weeks, going in and out working on the closing duties.  It's not just about saying,"whew, done for the summer.  Let's just lock the door and go home."  I haven't totally committed to going back next season but if I do, I don't want to be in there weeks in advance, cleaning and setting everything up.  I am doing that now so all I have to do is uncover it all and stock everything.  Over the winter, Mark and I are going to work on bringing back a dinner menu.  If anyone out there has any ideas, drop me a note.  Keep in mind, we are serving a mostly local clientele during the summer months.  Many of our customers are older folks and I am sure a dinner menu would be successful if we can find out what our customers would like to have available to them.  You can get a cheesesteak , pizza, or a sub anywhere around here.  The building is no longer capable of doing pizza....it wasn't real lucrative anyways.
I'm thinking along the lines of ribs, grilled chicken, steak...comfort food like meat loaf?  I can cook most anything and can make use of the most minimum of equipment and still pull off an excellent meal.  Locals, give me some suggestions!

Kathy, I think most older people in the area like stuff like chicken and dumplings, stews or soup and sandwichs. Remember most of them use to cook for families and now live alone. I would think roast beef and turkey would be good sellers along with meatloaf. Think about what they could get out that they wouldn't cook now. Who would cook a turkey for one. They also like pasta. Think how you use to cook. Macarooni and cheese/ stewed tomatoes. Oh and don't forget pickled eggs, fried bologna sandwich. Should I keep going ? Someone from Pa could give you some great ideals. See you lighter. Joanne

Kathy, I asked my mom for her suggestions, she's retired and widowed up here in PotNets, she wasn't even aware of your restaurant and she's been here 8 or so years! Anyway, her favorite new spot to eat is that Ocean Point Grill in the Grotto shopping center. We've eaten there a couple of times and they have such a large variety to offer. They seem to be fairly busy during dinner hours, and I noticed they are now offering early-birding and buffet breakfasts too . . .  Maybe you could take a look at their menu and pricing to get some ideas?

She also liked to eat at a restaurant in Oak Orchard (name escapes us at the moment) and I recall they had certain nights where they'd offer certain things -- for instance, one night was designated as "spaghetti and meatballs" night, another was some sort of seafood entree, etc.

And lastly, we've never eaten at the new Baywood Clubhouse restaurant but I do recall seeing where they were offering PotNets residents a discount. Since a lot of your business will come from the Long Neck Road communities, maybe some kind of promotion along those lines might draw in more traffic?

Believe me, it's not just the food service industry that's taken a hit this year. My boyfriend is in construction and he had to go back "home" to Maryland/DC area this spring due to lack of steady work up here in DE (and he's not too much better off down there). I don't know how people manage to live up here unless they come here independently wealthy, to be honest. Nothing but low-paying, part-time jobs with no benefits.

-BJ

Serendippity in Oak Orchard.  It has a true diner menu and it is busy all year long.  Baby back ribs are the best.  If you haven't had a chance try it.  The Clubhouse at Baywood is excellent, but pricy.  I have eaten there many times, especially like Sunday brunch.  Where is your place?

YES that's it -- Serendipity!!!

Unfortunately we don't get out to eat much -- can't afford to -- barely keeping the right foods on the table and in the cupboards here at home LOL . . .

that's why "Operation Shrimp" has become my mission in life hahahaha.

We have a year-round place in PotNets Lakeside. I keep wanting to change my avatar address to reflect my DE residency, but it won't let me for some reason!

-BJ

will have to go...I have a home in Mariners Cove.....Not there as much as I would like, at least not until retirement

OT 
All you Long Neck, Millsboro folk,
Anyone know of a reliable person to do lawn care.... Actually more like weed control?