new restaurant closer to home.
The other person objecting was Gladys Monroe who owned a summer home a few doors down from the restaurant. She was worried about noise and the impact on traffic. The selectmen allowed Rhett to respond, and he did so eloquently.
“Mr. Hardy, I can appreciate your concerns, but there already was a restaurant at this location, so the precedent is there, and I’ve talked to many local residents who welcome a place to go closer to home.”
He then addressed Gladys Monroe, “This will be a family restaurant, not a nightclub. We won’t have entertainment, so there shouldn’t be any noise issues as we’ll also close by ten at the latest. Regarding traffic, I’ll speak again to precedent. My research shows that there was never a negative impact on traffic when the restaurant was open previously. I hope this addresses your concerns.” He looked around the room and back at the selectmen before taking a seat.
Tom Goodwin addressed the room. “We will have a short discussion and then a vote on the matter.” They spoke for just a few minutes before voting and unanimously agreed to approve Rhett’s restaurant.
“Congratulations,” Lisa said softly.
“Thank you. Your turn now.”
“Next up we have a request from Lisa Hodges to operate a bed and breakfast out of her home. The name of the business would be The Beach Plum Cove Inn, with five rooms to rent. She is planning to be open year-round. She has no experience in hospitality and has not worked in over thirty years. There are no other such businesses in Beach Plum Cove. Are there any objections to granting this request?”
Lisa was surprised and dismayed to see three women raise their hands. One of them was Lillian Hardy, wife of Ben Hardy, the man who objected to Rhett’s restaurant. Lillian ran a bed and breakfast out of their home, which was located next door to her husband’s restaurant.
“There is no need for another bed and breakfast. Ours is right over the town line, and we are more than able to meet the demand for this area. Adding another bed and breakfast would be too much. It’s simply not needed, and it’s not fair to existing businesses.” Lisa had never particularly cared for Lillian. She was one of those people who seemed to know everyone’s business and had an opinion about it.
“Thank you, Lillian. Dawn Jacobs, it’s your turn to speak.”
Dawn was Lillian’s mother and lived with them. She was in her eighties and had perfectly coiffed white hair cut into a chin-length bob. She was beautifully dressed and tiny, barely five feet tall. But she had a presence about her, and she wasn’t the least bit shy or afraid to state her opinion.
“I have to agree with my daughter. There’s simply no need for this business in Beach Plum Cove. There are plenty of fine hotels and lovely bed and breakfasts that already exist. Why should their businesses suffer?”
“Ms. Jones, you have the floor.” Violet Jones, a stunning woman in her late thirties with long, blonde hair stood and looked around the room.
“I’m against this business. I live a few doors down from Lisa Hodges and I’m not keen on the idea of more traffic on our street and strangers coming and going at all hours. Beach Plum Cove is a lovely village and there’s simply no need for this kind of thing here.”
“Mrs.Hodges, you may have the floor to address these concerns.”
Lisa stood slowly and hoped her nerves wouldn’t get in her way. She took a deep breath and looked around the room.
“Part of the reason I decided to do this is that there is no place to stay in Beach Plum Cove. The nearest hotel or bed and breakfast is Lillian Hardy’s business. But that’s five miles away, and it’s a long walk to our beach from there.” Lillian sniffed and glared as Lisa spoke but Lisa didn’t back down.
“My home is on the water with a private beach. Guests that stay with me will have access to that and there are very few bed and breakfasts that are actually on the ocean. Most of them are downtown. I believe that there is a demand for what The Beach Plum Cove Inn could offer. Regarding Violet’s concerns, I am only planning to rent five rooms, it should have little to no impact on traffic.”
“Is there anyone else with any concerns or who wish to speak in support of this request?”
Lisa was surprised when Rhett raised his hand.