By Becky Billingsley

Wednesday, August 29, 2012, Little River – A new sports bar and restaurant is opening on S.C. 9 and a market selling seafood harvested from family fishing boats plan to open within a week in Little River.

The restaurant is Cote’s 19^th Tee, which is located at 3389 S.C. 9, in the former location of Hillbilly’s Still ‘n’ Grill. Reggie Cote, a retired New York State Highway Patrol officer, is the owner. In the 1980s, he owned a New York bar.

On Aug. 28, general manager Tim Crimminger and front of house manager Curt Wagers were washing windows and completing the details of getting a kitchen with all new equipment ready for business. They’re waiting on finalization of their alcohol permit and hope to open by the end of this week.

The restaurant’s interior has undergone a dramatic transformation. Walls now have beadboard paneling painted a cheerful green, and televisions line the walls. The staff built a new bar, booths and tables out of pine and lacquered them to a high sheen. The tables are cocktail height with footrests, and forest green bar stools are high-backed and cushioned.

The tables are movable, which will come in handy several nights per week when rearranging will take place to make room for live musicians. The place is spotless and ready for customers.

The menu is varied with Buffalo Shrimp, Oysters, Chili, New England Clam Chowder, Grilled Ahi Tuna Caesar Wrap, Jack Daniels Barbecue Sandwich, Chicken Salad Croissant, Oven Roasted Prime Rib Sandwich, Southern Fried Chicken Tenderloin and Baby Back Ribs.

Crimminger said he especially enjoys their Crab Cakes, which are made with jumbo lump meat, onions, egg, heavy cream, Old Bay Seasoning, lemon pepper, butter, Worcestershire sauce and panko.

The entire menu can be viewed HERE.

Happy hour will be from 4-7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, when well drinks are $3, and “You Call It” drinks, where the customer can have a cocktail with any liquor in the house, for $5. The televisions are equipped with Sunday Ticket and ESPN Game Zone.

The kitchen at Cote’s 19^th Tee will be open late for local service industry employees, with food being served daily from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. The bar will be open until 2 a.m.

The phone number is (843) 734-0758.

UPDATE 10/24/2012 - The kitchen is now open until 11 p.m.; and the menu has a few new items.

The new seafood market is Long’s Seafood, owned by longtime local seafood experts, Richard and Ada Long. Their family has been in the seafood business since 1926, said general manager Ross McGillicuddy at the shop on Aug. 28.

“Their family has commercial fishing boats,” he said, “seven or eight of them.”

Consequently, all the fish, shrimp, blue crabs and more will be extremely fresh and locally sourced. The only item in the market that won’t be locally harvested, McGillicuddy said, will be Alaskan King Crab legs.

Long’s Seafood is on the west side of U.S. 17 in Little River, just south of Mineola Avenue. The phone was expected to be connected any day, and a Web site and Facebook page are coming soon. It is hoped that opening day will be within a week.