Bear Charcoal Pit Location Slated to Become IHOP

The Charcoal Pit in Fox Run Shopping Center has been empty after abruptly shutting their doors for business at the end of January. (Photo by Rob Tornoe)

The current economic recession has claimed many causalities, both locally and nationwide. For Bear residents, one noticeable victim has been the Charcoal Pit in Fox Run Shopping Center, which closed its doors at the end of January.

But good news may be on the horizon, as a new IHOP restaurant is tentatively slated to begin construction in June to convert the former burger pit to Delaware’s newest pancake house.

Sources at IHOP confirm their target date for opening the new restaurant is September, however they emphasize that at this point it remains a flexible estimate.

Local residents, many of whom are loyal to the unique Delaware institution that first opened its doors back in 1956, were notified of the restaurant’s closing by a sign taped in the windows of the restaurant that reads:

Our final day is January 31, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. Thank-you for your local patronage through the years.

“It was a tough situation to have to close,” said Charcoal Pit general manager Michael Shoita. However, he remained positive about IHOP moving in and being a success.

“I hope they do well.”