Surf City Closed, Future of Structure Unknown

has officially closed, but the future of the historic structure at 9654 Belair Road remains unknown.

Bill Ruppert, who has owned the property since about 1985, confirmed that Surf City closed more than a week ago and he is speaking with potential tenants.

Major changes are anticipated for the former restaurant and nightclub. "If it goes the way I hope, and the way I try to influence it, it will be severely remodeled," Ruppert said.

For now, however, a sign on the front door reads, "So sorry ... Doors are closed. We will miss you all ... Thank you!"

Two would-be patrons in the property's parking lot, as well as a nearby office worker, recently expressed disappointment over the closure. Each declined to be identified by Patch.

Surf City was one of few in the Perry Hall area and regularly hosted live music and special events, ranging from to an .

Surf City's former manager declined to comment on the reason behind the closure.

The building itself has a storied past.

Prior to becoming Surf City, it was known as the Perry Hall Inn & Pub, and before that, according to Ruppert, it belonged to former State Sen. Thomas Bromwell, and was called Bromwell Inn.

Previously, the business was owned by the locally prominent Kahl family, Ruppert said.

According to a 2002 Baltimore Sun obituary, Kahl's Inn was first established in 1900, and remained in the family until it was sold by Marie J. Kahl and her husband Lawrence Kahl in the 1970s.

"The restaurant, said family members, was known for Mrs. Kahl's homemade backfin crab cakes and fried chicken, and once had been home to the 11th District Democratic Club," the article stated.

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