Jon Bleiweis

jbleiweis@dmg.gannett.com

Steen's Beach Service has been serving Bethany Beach beachgoers umbrellas and chairs since 1957.

Town Manager Cliff Graviet proposes having the town operate beach concessions.

Graviet estimates $200,000 in annual net revenue for the town through offering concessions.

Funds raised through town beach concessions would go toward an emergency storm relief fund.

In Bethany Beach, Steen's Beach Service goes hand in hand with frozen custard and fries. For many, the sight of the company's umbrellas and chairs invokes lifelong memories when they cross over the dunes to get onto the beach, itself.

But that could change if a proposed plan for the town to take over the concession service comes to fruition, essentially knocking the family-owned business out of the Bethany Beach, where it has set up shop since 1957.

Steen's most recent five-year contract with the town expired after this summer. Bids for a new five-year contract, with a minimum rate of $65,000 per year, were opened Friday, Nov. 7. Steen's was the only company to submit a bid, which was for $67,500 for 2015 and increasing 4 percent each subsequent year.

Prior to submitting the proposal, the Steens learned about what the town is considering doing, and a meeting would be held to explore the issue just days later.

The meeting taking place is what concessions service owner Ron Steen called "a dagger in the heart."

"I thought my proposal was pretty objective," Steen said. "I kind of feel like I'm being penalized for being a good operator out there."

A plan prepared by Town Manager Cliff Graviet and presented to the council Monday, Nov. 10, showed how the town could have its own service up and running by May 16 and bring the town an estimated $200,000 per year. Steen believes his offer was fair and the town's projection is an overestimation.

The town is not hurting for money, but it does not have excess funds to store, Graviet said. Graviet wants to establish an emergency storm relief fund, which would be used in case a natural disaster decimates the resort town. He estimates it could cost $6 million to $9 million to replace the town's boardwalk and $20-30 million in state and federal funds has been spent over the last 15-20 years to create and maintain the dune system.

The town has no interest in adding anything other than umbrellas and chairs to its concessions service and has routinely rejected inquiries from providers, Graviet said.

Residents who spoke during Monday's workshop meeting were overwhelmingly in favor of having the council reject Graviet's proposal.

A Change.org petition supporting Steen's Beach Service had more than 1,500 signatures as of 2:15 p.m. Monday, and more than 1,000 signatures in the first 12 hours it was up, according to Stephanie Oppenheimer of Falls Church, Virginia, who organized the petition.

"From a property owner position, I abhor the idea of losing a town icon to a 'government' enterprise. I do not support the significant cost of starting up such a business," wrote Bethany Beach property owner Amy Brothers, who spent six summers working for the beach service. "I can not imagine losing a business that has help to make Bethany Beach the small town treasure that it is."

A vote could take place as soon as Friday to approve Graviet's plan for town-operated concessions, though some council members believe the process is being rushed. The Town Council has the option to turn down the bid and re-advertise it for a shorter term or to raise the minimum rate, Graviet said.

Councilman Jerry Dorfman suggested to advertise a new contract for just one year and take more time to evaluate the situation.

"We have to do something to provide the fund. We really start have to do something. There's no question about it. What we have now is not sufficient," he said. "We are looking outside the box, but we don't have to rush to do this."

jbleiweis@dmg.gannett.com

443-210-8125

On Twitter @JonBleiweis

IF YOU GO

BETHANY BEACH TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

When: 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14

Where: Bethany Beach Town Hall, 214 Garfield Parkway, Bethany Beach

Call: 302-539-8011

Web: TownofBethanyBeach.com