Touch of Italy owner Bob Ciprietti answers a question from a citizen during last week’s Town Hall.

By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

Touch of Italy will take over the Ocean Pines Association’s three food and beverage service locations on May 1, following the expiration of the association’s contract with Matt Ortt Companies.

Last week, the community invited residents to a town hall where homeowners could ask Touch of Italy and Ocean Pines Association representatives questions about the five-year lease arrangement the two parties signed earlier this month.

Per the agreement, OPA, as the owner of the Yacht Club, the Clubhouse Bar and Grille, and the Beach Club, will be the restaurant company’s landlord.

“Ocean Pines will become our landlord,” Touch of Italy owner Bob Ciprietti said. “I have signed a personal guarantee on that lease, which means that if I don’t live up to my obligations, you have recourse to come after me for the rent. I believe right now since we signed that, you will always be in the black at this point.”

The agreement provides that Touch of Italy will pay OPA a rent equal to the combined depreciation of the food and beverage facilities, or about $380,000 a year. This amount will increase by 3% annually. OPA General Manager John Viola said the association also will receive 6.5% of the operation’s gross, non-alcohol revenue.

“The depreciation of the food and beverage facilities is about $384,000 a year,” Rick Lawrence, Touch of Italy’s financial manager, said. “That is a minimum return that Ocean Pines is guaranteed now with the lease arrangement they made. Leadership in this community made that decision and now is protecting the community in that regard.

 “On top of that,” he continued, “so that the community actually is benefitting from the food and beverage operations, they get what is known as a rent-kicker, and they participate in a percentage of the adjusted gross.”

The lease arrangement dictates that the new food and beverage company will bear most of the replacement and maintenance expense. Viola said that if equipment breaks in the first few years of its useful life, Touch of Italy would cover it.

Ocean Pines may be responsible if a device needs to be replaced in the final stages of its expected duration. Additionally, any changes Touch of Italy wants to make to the facilities would require community leaders’ approval.

“If [the restaurant company] wants to make any changes, everything has to be approved by the Ocean Pines management and the board,” Viola said. “If there is anything they want to do to the buildings, we own the buildings, and they are renting … they have to get approval from the Ocean Pines management team and the board depending on what they are going to do.”

Ciprietti told the audience that his team is looking to “soften” the Yacht Club’s dining room by adding privacy measures for guests. Currently, the area is a single, exposed space.

As for the Beach Club in Ocean City, its under-utilized second floor could see more activity, Ciprietti said.

The restaurant company will offer a diverse menu. While Touch of Italy’s locations in Ocean City, Rehoboth, and Lewes boasts primarily Italian cuisine, the Ocean Pines operations will include items across the board. Patrons can expect to see chicken, fish, lobster rolls, burgers, fajitas, and egg rolls. Gluten-free options will also be available.

“We have a very diverse menu and culinary team so that it won’t be just Italian,” Ciprietti said. “Will there be some Italian items at the Yacht Club restaurant? Yes, of course. But it is not going to be the focus of it at all.”

He added that Ocean Pines residents can contact his cell, 914-906-0175, with any suggestions or concerns.

“We do listen, and we do pay attention,” the Ciprietti said. “I have no problem speaking to anybody that wants to call me, and I seriously mean that.”

Residents at last week’s town hall asked if the staff currently employed by Matt Ortt Companies at the Yacht Club and the other OPA locations would still work there come May 1. Ciprietti said because Ortt is still the operator at this point, his team isn’t talking to any of them, but they are open to interviewing anyone who wishes to stay on upon Ortt’s departure.

Ciprietti also noted that once his company takes over, the venues’ hours of operation, particularly at the Clubhouse Bar and Grille, will be expanded. He said he would like to give golfers the option of stopping in for coffee before early-morning tee times.

Also addressed during the town hall were residents’ concerns about events at the Yacht Club. Ciprietti replied that the off-season Thursday night trivia at the Yacht Club would likely be maintained and that bands that regular play the venue, including Great Train Robbery and Tranzfusion, would return.

The annual Thanksgiving buffet will be revied, as Ciprietti said he and his team are committed to upholding traditions favored by the Ocean Pines community. Previously scheduled private events like banquets and weddings will be honored.

Furthermore, Touch of Italy will accept gift cards sold by the previous operator. The group also acknowledged the Ocean Pines locations will yield a different clientele than the Ocean City Italian restaurant and pricing will prioritize affordability based on the needs and desires of OPA residents.

Among the areas that need work, according to the new operators, the floors in the Yacht Club kitchen, and paint touch-ups and cleaning at the Beach Club.

Those interested in applying to the community’s food and beverage facilities can email their resumes to info@touchofitaly.com. While individuals may apply now, company representatives said the recruitment via social media channels will increase leading up to the May 1 start date.

Ocean Pines’ new deal with Touch of Italy was announced on Wednesday, Jan. 8, following a special OPA Board of Directors meeting.

In addition to the company’s Touch of Italy restaurants in this area, it also operates the Royal Prime Steakhouse at Bally’s in Dover, Del. and runs Sunset Island Bar and Grille at 1 Beach Side Drive in Ocean City.

“We are working now, every day for the transition day,” said Ciprietti.

Those who wish to view the entire town hall can visit the Ocean Pines Association’s YouTube channel.