BERLIN – A popular Cambridge eatery is the latest new business headed to America’s Coolest Small Town.
Leaky Pete’s Oyster and Wine Bar, located on Race Street in Cambridge, will open a second location in downtown Berlin in early April. The restaurant, to be called Leaky Pete’s Oyster Bar and Chophouse, will take over the Tex-Mex and Country Cook’n building.
“This’ll be fun for Berlin,” owner Terry Feehley said.
Feehley, who’s had Leaky Pete’s in Cambridge for the past five years, said he’s been considering starting a second location for some time. He initially looked for a spot in Ocean City but decided Berlin was more to his liking.
“I didn’t want to get into that summer rat race in Ocean City,” he said.
A few visits to downtown Berlin, however, and he was hooked.
“I really love the town,” he said. “It’s amazing.”
Feehley decided the renovated facility would be ideal for Leaky Pete’s.
“It’s basically a new building and it’s very nicely appointed,” he said. “The outside patio’s great.”
He said it’s larger than his existing location, which he called more of a bar with a limited kitchen. In Berlin, Leaky Pete’s will have a full menu, including a raw bar and “traditional Eastern Shore foods.”
According to Feehley, his Berlin location will be a bit nicer than his bar in Cambridge, which is known for its eclectic, nautical décor. Nevertheless, the new location will remain casual.
“It’s not going to be white table cloth,” he said.
Feehley plans to use the second floor of the restaurant as a lounge area that will feature entertainment. He says the fun atmosphere of his Cambridge establishment is what has made it so popular.
“It’s a cool, casual little place,” he said. “We get a lot of regulars and we get a lot of tourists.”
Feehley is working on getting the necessary liquor license for the new location and plans to open in April. He’s excited by the amount of interest he’s gotten since sharing news of his plans on Leaky Pete’s Facebook page.
“There’s been a good little buzz,” he said. “My Facebook page blew up with likes from the Berlin-Ocean City area.”
Councilmember Lisa Hall says she’s looking forward to having an oyster bar on Main Street.
“I wish them great success,” she said. “They will be a great complement to the established restaurants in Berlin.”