SURFSIDE -- Surfside Beach town council members accepted a letter of intent from a "mom and pop" type restaurant Friday morning.
Mayor Allen Deaton said the town has "moved to the next level in what we think is going to make a great public private partnership to occupy the space on our pier."
Deaton said they've asked the town administrator to work up a lease for council's approval. Once it's approved, they'll release the name of the corporation behind the restaurant.
He said the restaurant owners, who have not been named, are planning to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Last month, council received three bids to rent the restaurant space. It has been vacant since December, when the Surfside Beach town council didn't award a new contract to Nibil's Restaurant. Because the town owns the pier, it was required by law to put the restaurant up for bid.
The town also recently passed an ordinance that allows people to drink alcoholic beverages on the pier. Drinking beer and wine on the pier became illegal in 2008 when the town bought the pier from a private owner. The new ordinance went into effect February 21st.
