When smoking was banned from taverns in 2002 under the Delaware’s Clean indoor Air Act, there were predictions that your typical smoky corner tavern would disappear.
Some places did go away and others added more food offerings, but who would have predicted that a chain of taverns would emerge in northern Delaware.
That is what happened with the growth of Famous Taverns.
The latest Famous tavern to open is Famous John’s in the Milltown area near Total Wine & More.
That brings the number of bars under the Famous umbrella to nine, with locations in north Wilmington, New Castle, Hockessin, Christina Trolley Square and outside Newark.
While, Delaware limits Total Wine & More to two liquor stores, there does not appear to be any such limit when it comes to taverns.
Famous Taverns operate under a simple formula. The establishments keep costs down by opening at 5 p.m.and close at 1 p.m., with $3 drink and beer specials at all times.
The taverns have multiple TVs and plain, comfortable setting. Each tavern gave away a flat screen TV during the Super Bowl.
Delaware helps out, with low prices for liquor licenses, a contrast for the six-figure prices sometimes seen across the line in Pennsylvania.