After 25 years, Rehoboth Beach’s Purple Parrot sold

After 25 years, Purple Parrot co-owners Hugh Fuller and Troy Roberts have sold the restaurant to Tyler Townsend and Drew Mitchell, local businessmen and partners. The sale of the Rehoboth Avenue restaurant went through earlier this month.

Fuller said it wasn’t easy, but the main driving force was his health. Since contracting COVID, his health hasn't been the best, and he said it's been a struggle to work like he used to.

“We felt the best decision was to hand over the reins to buyers that had no intention of changing anything, and would continue taking care of our staff and customers the way that we did. We feel that we found that in the new owners,” said Fuller in an email Dec. 17. “It's bittersweet, but I know in my heart of hearts that we've made the right decision for everyone, including the Parrot. It now has some young blood at the reins again and hopefully it will carry on for another 25 years and bless those that work there or frequent it the way it's blessed us.”

Townsend is a restaurateur by profession – he’s one of the partners for Second Block Hospitality in Rehoboth Beach, a management company that operates The Pines, Drift and Bodhi. However, this is strictly a project with Mitchell, who owns a branding and marketing firm.

“The Purple Parrot is an iconic spot in town, and we just wanted to make certain that it stayed that way,” said Townsend. “We’re still getting our feet settled. There might be places where we can add our own little touches, but [Hugh and Troy] did just a great job. We’re just going to keep the ship going. It’s not broken.”

Townsend said this will be the first restaurant that Mitchell has owned, but, he added, Mitchell did the typical restaurant work in high school and college. He’s looking forward to learning more of the business side, said Townsend.

Fuller thanked the employees and customers.

“My staff and clientele are like family to us. The day we told them was one of the hardest days I've ever lived through,” said Fuller. “We could have never have done any of this without our incredible employees, the town and customers behind us the entire time.”