Best case scenario is that someone does complete a sale within 30 days, as stipulated, and we get our Marina, Aqua, and shops back soon. What’s unknown, to me anyway, is the total amount of liens owed on all of the properties and how that factors in to the overall valuation. Even so, if a buyer can justify the debt plus the price of the property, what’s their stomach for dealing with the lawsuit, clearing the titles, etc. That could take years. If so, that would factor greatly into a buyer’s decision here.

Interesting stuff. Can’t wait to see how this plays out.

Ana — I appreciate your message, and I hope you already know how much I regret what has happened. As a young man with a family, I once lost my job through no fault of my own. The headline in no way intended to insult the AQUA employees. But I am not sure that the employees are not “the last ones to know.” Just hours ago the Wave received an email from a reader who said that he had just called AQUA and had been told they WILL be reopening. On Wednesday a prospective bride wrote that she had finalized her plans for a fall wedding at AQUA on Tuesday. Wedding deposits are non-refundable. If AQUA employees had known for a long time that foreclosure was imminent, why was the woman who paid her deposit not warned? Why did another AQUA employee tell us on Wednesday that all he had heard was that AQUA was shutting down for the season? It’s fine to be optimistic and hope that a resolution will be found. I fervently hope that too. Everyone does. Everyone loves AQUA — nobody wants it to fail. But in the words of Paul Simon, “I would not give you false hope.” –GEORGE

Thank you for pointing that out, John. We were waiting for the legal notice to be printed. As readers can see, we’ve now included it above. –EDITOR

Adam Travis ran an excellent ship, from bar to booth to table top. One of most pleasant memories I have of Cape Charles was from several years ago; after a long, tedious drive from Washington DC, hungry, exhausted and thirsty, I slammed my little Mini Cooper into a parking space, and ran up to the Cabana Bar. At the time, Adam didn’t know my name and on the tab, always used the name Paul Simon. That night, he mixed what I still consider one of the best martinis I’ve ever had—the ration, temp, and bruising were almost perfect, and all followed by that awesome Thai appetizer and the great Cabana burger . Thank you Adam, and all you guys for some many great drinks, meals and sunsets.

Nicolle Isaacs Smith, manager of the Shops, either by her taste in merchandise (the attention to detail, as well as the aesthetic, was always exquisite), or the beauty and eloquence of her displays, was a bit of Manhattan brought to the southern Eastern Shore. I can’t tell you how much it hurts not having those shops. They were my go to, no matter what the occasion — birthday, anniversary, Christmas, I always found something perfect for the person I was shopping for. Nicolle, you can really go Girl!

Nicolle and Adam, you are very talented at what you do, and I know you both will be extremely successful no matter where life takes you.

I’ve always felt that as Bay Creek goes, so goes Cape Charles. I hope I’m wrong, but I can’t help but shiver a bit realizing this place is losing such beauty, elegance and class.

Just a quick note of encouragement for you George: listen to Mike Kuzma. What you’re doing is a full contact sport, and sometimes you’re going to get your bell rung. But you’re a tough old gumshoe at heart, so just keep on doing what you do. As a bit of perspective, I would add that, in light of all this, your fantastic story “Bay Creek Can Blame Cape Charles” (http://capecharleswave.com/2012/11/shore-thing-bay-creek-can-blame-cape-charles/), which also brought you a ton of heat, has even more depth now than when originally published. Good on Ya’ George
-Comrade Wayne

Paul — I mean Wayne — thanks so much for paying tribute to Adam and Nicolle. Adam was the first person I met associated with AQUA — even before I ate there. Adam had hired a group of students from Eastern Europe to work for the summer, and they needed a place to stay. We had just bought a duplex. Perfect fit! Adam is one of the most personable and charming businessmen I’ve ever met. Much later, when we were looking for a used headboard, we bought Nicolle’s. So again, on the Shore, sooner or later you run into everybody — yet another reason why we all need to keep reading Bruce Lindeman and reminding ourselves that relationships are really the most important thing in our lives. –GEORGE

And besides, if you change I’ll have the ghosts of Mike Royko and Art Buchwald haunt you! ;0