Commercialization of Lewes Beach (8/3/21)

As you may remember, a few years ago, Quest was given a trial license to operate a business out of Roosevelt Inlet. At the time, the city wanted to assess the impact on the community. Quest offers kayaks, paddle boards, floating mats, beach chairs and umbrellas, bonfires, and beach parties. Click here to view the Quest website.

A new business, No Shoes Beach Bonfires petitioned to operate a similar bonfire and party business on Public Beach 1 and 2 . The petition was approved by the city's Parks and Recreation Commission by a 6 to 4 vote. As those opposing the petition pointed out, there doesn't appear to be a city plan for how best to address the growing number of businesses that want to operate on Lewes Beach, the right balance of use, and who best to provide these services. Instead, it appears commercialization will be decided on a petition by petition basis. Click here for an article in the Cape Gazette about Commission vote.

LBCA submitted a petition urging the City to postpone consideration of the license until it first developed a plan for beach commercialization.  Click here for a copy of the petition.  On Monday, August 9th, the the Mayor and City Council unanimously voted not to approve a license for No Shoes Beach Bonfires to operate another bonfire business on Lewes Beach.  Our petition was included in the meeting record and was referenced during the discussion as being indicative of community sentiment.  

Several of the Council members discussed the need for a plan to be developed regarding commercialization of the beach, especially before other proposals are considered.   In the end, the city voted unanimously to maintain the status quo - no additional businesses - and reconsider the issue when the Quest trial license expires in 2022.

Click here for the article in the Cape Gazette about the Mayor and City Council vote.