After a Year in Business Rookies Prepares to Expand

will celebrate its one year anniversary Saturday by bringing the beach to First Street-and some drink specials. 

“is over getting the sand right now,” said owner Rob Storelee Wednesday afternoon.  “I’m going to guess it’s 15 or 20 yards (of sand).” 

After a year in business Storelee said there haven’t been any surprises.  “It’s been fun,” said Storelee.  “It exceeded my expectations as far as revenue and we have a great crew.  We have all the original people.”

He’s also excited about using Rookies as a vehicle for helping the schools.  “We’re going to try and do three fundraisers each year for the Benicia High School athletic department,” said Storelee.  contest in May that raised over $11,000 for the sports program.  He expects to have the next fundraising event in the fall and thinks it will involve cooking brisket.

Storelee is excited about the plans to expand the business to include a family restaurant in the back that will have views of the Carquinez Strait and will serve American style food.

“We’re going to serve barbecue ribs brisket and pulled pork,” said Storelee.  “We’ll also have wings and burgers.”

Storelee said the new restaurant will probably have about six different burgers to choose from but not more. “I’d rather have consistent, good affordable food.  Consistency is the key,” said Storelee.

Storelee hopes to have all the permits in place and start remodeling for the restaurant in September.  He told his tenants a year ago that he wouldn’t be renewing their leases. 

“We want everything approved so we can start construction asa soon as the tenants move out,” he said.

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If there’s something in this article you think should be corrected, or if something else is amiss, call editor JB Davis at 707-628-0051 or email him at benicia@patch.com.