Sept. 29, 2001 – The enduring Hull Bay Hideaway, in case you didn't know, is under relatively new ownership, and the owners — Dan Perry and David Stuedell — are keeping up the traditions of the North Side beach bar and restaurant while starting some new ones of their own.
Perry and Stuedell, who've both lived on St. Thomas for nearly 20 years ("with much of that time spent in Hull Bay," Perry notes) took over June 1. They're featuring live music on Sundays and recently hosted an inter-island horseshoe tournament. And they'll soon be renting surfboards, along with other watersports gear.
This Sunday, the music makers are Umanatee — the duo of longtime locals Kate Rake and Kevin McFarland. They'll be performing folk, blues, reggae and more from 4 to 9 p.m., and yeah, the dance floor will be open.
Also on Sunday, the Hideaway is introducing Dan's pizza, which from now on will be available daily from 5 p.m.. ("We plan on offering very low prices for our introductory period," Perry says, declining to be more specific.)
Perry is the managing partner, with Stuedell on site when he's not fishing or at his day job with Innovative. "We've been having live music for nearly 10 weeks now," Perry says, featuring not only Umanatee but such other acts as Nicky Russell, the Frenchman's Hill Band and the Bareback Riders — and the band Obsession for the Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament.
"Our goal is to get the old Hideaway atmosphere back, and these guys have helped move us in that direction — lots of audience participation and a very casual family atmosphere," Perry says.
Meantime, the menu: They've been serving several different styles of barbecue with picnic-style seating. The main restaurant is to reopen by Nov. 1, Perry said. The Surf Bar should be up and running in two to three weeks, with kayak, surfboard and snorkeling gear available for rental.
A flea market is scheduled for next Saturday, and a big Coast Weeks beach cleanup is coming soon, Perry says. And meanwhile, there's "lots of renovating going on."
If you'd like to know more, check out the restaurant's web site at www.hullbay.com.
