The Bayside Skillet

The Bayside Skillet is an iconic breakfast spot in Ocean City, Maryland, known for its prime bayfront location and vibrant, pink-themed atmosphere. Catering to locals and tourists alike, the restaurant blends bold branding with a relaxed coastal setting to create a unique dining experience.

The Challenge

Faced with unpredictable weather and a desire to maximize the use of their outdoor patio during the tourist season, The Bayside Skillet sought a shading solution that would create an ideal outdoor dining environment for customers, rain or shine. The solution needed to complement their vibrant brand aesthetic while delivering functional benefits, providing comfort, and significantly enhancing the guest experience. In doing so, it would help maintain and grow revenue from the patio seating area.

The Solution

A custom retractable shading solution was proposed to meet the restaurant’s needs. Initially, the project focused on covering part of the patio to provide weather protection and align with the restaurant’s bold branding. An immediate return on the investment prompted the owner to expand coverage of the original seating area and extend the solution to additional sections of the patio, maximizing the outdoor space while maintaining a cohesive design.

Phase 1: Establishing the Foundation

In the first phase, two 20’x20′ retractable roofs with rain gutters were installed. The powder-coated finish in Telemagenta (RAL4010) was chosen to seamlessly match the restaurant’s aesthetic, while the Ferrari Celadon fabric offered both style and weather resistance. This initial installation immediately enhanced the functionality of the outdoor space, providing much-needed protection from the elements and creating a more comfortable atmosphere for diners.

Phase 2: Expanding the Vision

After experiencing the benefits of Phase 1, particularly the ability to operate the patio regardless of weather conditions, the owner chose to expand the coverage. In Phase 2, an additional 20’x20′ retractable roof with rain gutters was installed, further extending the weather protection across the patio, ensuring more seating could remain open in all weather.

Phase 3: Extending the Benefits

To maximize the outdoor space, Phase 3 saw the addition of two smaller 20’x16′ retractable roofs in a different section of the patio. These units not only provided additional coverage but also maintained the cohesive design established in the earlier phases. This allowed the restaurant to optimize its outdoor seating capacity while preserving the unified aesthetic.

Achieving Results

The retractable shading solutions delivered immediate results. After Phase 1, the covered patio was shielded from unpredictable weather, preventing revenue losses due to rain or excessive sun exposure. This success prompted further investment in Phase 2 and Phase 3, ensuring the entire outdoor seating area could be used efficiently, rain or shine. The vibrant, branded design enhanced the restaurant’s visual appeal while providing guests with a comfortable, weather-protected dining experience. As a result, the extended use of the outdoor patio during peak tourist season contributed to long-term financial gains.

I reached out to ShadeFX because our outdoor dining area was constantly at the mercy of unpredictable weather. I was thinking I needed a solution for the handful of rainy days but what I got was the perfect solution that offers both sun and rain protection.

The ShadeFX retractable roof system was the perfect solution. It mounted easily to the existing deck frame, and its modular design allowed for future expansion. I installed two systems to cover a 20′ x 40′ area.

While the summer of ’24 in Ocean City, Maryland brought some rainy days, I found myself using the roofs every day to keep customers cool during those 100 degree days in July and August.  Customers would choose to sit under the ShadeFX roof instead of   As the summer went on, customers were choosing to sit under the ShadeFX roof instead of the waterfront tables with umbrellas. Investing in ShadeFX was a great choice for my business. The system’s performance impressed me so much that I decided to purchase three more: one to extend the original area to 60′, and two to cover a new 20′ x 32′ space.

So far in ’25, we have already been blasted with more rain than all of last summer but thanks to all my ShadeFX roofs, we are able to utilize over 100 outdoor seats under an any circumstance.  When it feels too hot for most customers to sit outside, we are able to avoid long waiting lines because customers are willing to dine under our ShadeFX roofs.

Working with ShadeFX was seamless, thanks to their prompt support and clear communication. They collaborated directly with my contractor, advising on necessary structural adjustments to ensure optimal performance. When the systems arrived, they bolted in effortlessly, and my weather-related frustrations were finally behind me.

– Sidney Zweigbaum, Owner, The Bayside Skillet

Looking Forward

The Bayside Skillet project demonstrates the success of a phased, scalable approach to outdoor improvements. The case highlights how immediate functional benefits, such as protection from weather-related revenue losses, can drive further investment. Thoughtful design, aligned with client branding and real-time business needs, serves as a blueprint for similar projects that aim to balance aesthetics and functionality. The success of this project offers a model for future endeavors in outdoor space enhancement.

Follow The Bayside Skillet’s lead and invest in scalable, functional outdoor solutions with ShadeFX to protect revenue and enhance your brand. Let’s get started.