IMAGE COURTESY AVITABILE CIRILE ARCHITECTURE
The Berlin Planning Commission last Wednesday voted 5-0 to approve the site plan for a proposed new restaurant in the old Taylor Bank building on Old Ocean City Boulevard bordering Route 50. The owner, John Trader, operates Liquid Assets in Ocean City and Our Harvest in Fenwick Island.

By Josh Davis, Associate Editor

(Nov. 22, 2018) John Trader’s pitch to the Berlin Planning Commission last Wednesday was received about as well as first-rate barbecue and cold beer.

Trader, the owner of Liquid Assets in Ocean City and Our Harvest in Fenwick Island, wants to put a 145-seat barbecue restaurant and bar on the site of the former Taylor Bank Building on Old Ocean City Boulevard bordering Route 50. He hopes to open next spring.

Trader showed the commission a YouTube video created by architect Steven J. Cirile that showed 3-D models of the restaurant, which would entail expanding the 1,500-square-foot bank building by more than 5,000 square feet. To view the video, visit youtu.be/wCQd4x5qRK4.

Trader said he wanted to build “the kind of family environment where kids can go in the afternoon and go get ice cream after school, and families can go enjoy a little entertainment into the evening.”

He said the closest neighbor would be the Tractor Supply store and “we’ll probably share a lot of the same clientele.” He added the beverage program would be appropriate and legitimate.

“Everything that we do, I can promise you this, it will be full of passion,” Trader said. “It will all get a lot of thought and it will all have a lot of flavor.”

The old bank building is visible in the design, with sloped awnings coming off in three directions to the north, east and south to create a large screened porch. Trader said the design would include plastic tarps to keep the space warm in the winter and dry when it rains.

The vacant property has plenty of parking and good visibility from the highway.

“It came to my mind that it would make an excellent spot for a traditional southern barbecue,” he said. “What makes this project unique … is the screened-in porch, which I think is really romantic.

“I think it is a throwback – it’s not drywall. It’s open air,” he continued. “All the smells will radiate through the restaurant [with] a little breeze running through there. Even on a night like tonight, I can see everybody sitting outside and I could drop a couple of the plastic curtains and still have a little cool atmosphere – very, very casual.”

The video shows customers walking in from several entrances, families dining inside as three whole pigs roast on a massive brick grill, and a live band playing Chicago-style blues.

Trader said the crown jewel would be the “giant open [barbecue] pit.”

“We’ve actually been to the health department already and asked them how and if we can do it, and I couldn’t believe that they said yes – and here’s how. I was shocked … my chin hit the floor when they told us,” he said. “We have a good reputation with the health department. I operate two restaurants currently and I’ve operated many restaurants over the last 35 years in Worcester County.

“The health department blessed the preliminary design,” Trader continued. “We’re here to get your comments and input and blessing as well.”

To say the planning commission warmly received the proposal would be an understatement, as the board voted 5-0 to approve the site plan with no changes.

“I think you’re going to be a real sweet spot in there. That’s what we want to see,” Pete Cosby said, praising many of the small, aesthetic touches. “While you’re out eating barbecue, you want to eat it under an old oak tree, right?

“I think it’s exciting … I think this place is going to work,” he added.

John Barrett called the design well thought-out and “a huge improvement from what’s there,” and Barb Stack said it was a great location.

“And the fact that you’re taking an old, worn-out site that really needs something and you’re going to create some energy out there? I love it,” she said.

Planning Director Dave Engelhart said the town staff also endorses the proposal.

“In my staff report, department directors … they all support the concept,” he said. “The economic development director, she likes the concept quite a bit. So, we’re all supportive as a staff.”