SoDel Concepts has announced it will bring Surf Bagel to Long Neck this summer. That marks the fourth location for Surf Bagel since it was acquired by the restaurant group, starting with expanding in Milford last year. | DBT PHOTO BY KATIE TABELING
LONG NECK — SoDel Concepts is planning on adding a fourth Surf Bagel location in the Millsboro market soon, doubling its breakfast chain locations in less than two years.
SoDel Concepts revealed that it would be leasing a storefront at the Taormina Square Shopping Center on Route 24 this summer. An exact date of opening has yet to be determined, although it is anticipated Surf Bagel would hire between 30 and 40 employees for the new location.
“We are stoked about bringing Surf Bagel to Long Neck. The Long Neck area is rapidly growing and has always been so community-focused. We think it will be a great fit,” Surf Bagel Vice President Matt Patton said.
Long Neck is an unincorporated area of Sussex County that includes the area divided by the Rehoboth Bay and the Indian River Bay. Though it has a Millsboro zip code, Long Neck is roughly nine miles west of that town and known for the Pots Nest community of vacation homes, rentals and marinas.
The Taormina Square Shopping Center was developed by Silicato Development, and is anchored by Brick Works Millsboro as well as a Wawa and other stores. In total, the shopping center boasts 36,000 square feet of new construction.
Since opening in 2004, Surf Bagel has become a beach favorite for residents and visitors alike. Founded by brothers and avid surfers Dave and Tom Vitella, the venue is well known for its New York-style bagels, flavored cream cheeses, bagel sandwiches and other breakfast and lunch items.
When the Vitellas were ready to move on to the next chapter, they sold Surf Bagel to SoDel Concepts in November 2021 to ensure that the brand would continue and flourish.
As for SoDel, its president Scott Kammerer thought Surf Bagel would be a natural fit as many of the existing restaurants have menus geared for lunch or dinner dining. He also told the Delaware Business Times that he envisioned Surf Bagel as a chain that could expand beyond southern Delaware.
In March 2022, SoDel announced it would bring Surf Bagel to downtown Milford. When it opened in December 2022, it retained much of the classic Surf Bagel menu of fresh bagels, breakfast sandwiches, lunch wraps, cheesesteaks, baked goods and more.
But there is one major difference at the Milford shop under the SoDel name: alcohol is also served. Customers can order beer from breweries like SoDel’s own Thompson Island or other local favorites, as well as wine.
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