Local non-profit raising money for Rehoboth Beach businesses to lease jersey barriers

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. – A local non-profit is trying to raise money to help businesses and restaurants in Rehoboth Beach get through COVID-19. Rehoboth Beach Main Street is fundraising to help those businesses lease the barriers they used throughout the summer for outdoor dining and shopping. “It’s very important to keep everyone safe. With outdoor dining and shopping on the sidewalks, we want to keep everybody safe, and that’s our top priority. The barriers allow that to happen,” said Executive Director of Main Street Rehoboth Beach Dan Slagle.

Slagle says each barrier is leased at about $30 per period. Last summer, the city was helping to offset that cost for businesses and restaurants. But this year they won’t. Slagle says he thinks part of the reason for that is the lost revenue that comes with the city’s Meterless Mondays. “There’s parking revenue that’s being lost that the city would usually gain during that time. So that’s why the burden is falling on restaurants this season. We’re going to do what we can do to alleviate that burden from them,” said Slagle.

Slagle says the financial burden the city is already under amid the COVID-19 pandemic is similar for those businesses and restaurants. He says that’s why his organization is stepping up to help. It would be a stretch for them, especially on top of all the equipment that’s needed and disinfecting supplies – all that restaurants are putting out in an emergency. So, we’re trying to help save them money and help them with their business,” said Slagle.

Slagle tells 47ABC anyone can donate to help with the fundraising effort by visiting their Facebook page or website. He also says the organization is handing out free hand sanitizer to anyone in the community who might need it.