The future of one of Palm Beach County’s most iconic waterfront restaurants is officially locked in for another decade.
The Lake Worth Beach City Commission voted unanimously Tuesday night to extend Benny’s on the Beach’s lease through February 2043, adding 10 years to the current agreement, which was set to expire in 2033.
The deal keeps all existing terms in place while increasing rent by 5% every two years.
The move came after a spirited debate over whether the city should grant a lease extension with seven years still remaining on the current contract.
City officials said Benny’s owner, Dylan Lipton, had requested the maximum lease term allowed under city rules.
Lipton defended the proposal, telling commissioners the restaurant has become a cornerstone of the community as it approaches its 40th anniversary. He said the business employs more than 100 local residents and spends about $1 million each year on repairs, maintenance, utilities and improvements.
Supporters described the popular pier-side eatery as a major tourism draw and a key piece of the city’s identity, especially with the historic Gulfstream Hotel expected to reopen.
Not everyone was sold. Some residents questioned why the city was considering an extension so far in advance and asked who stood to benefit most from the deal.
In the end, commissioners sided with Benny’s, directing staff to finalize the extension and securing the future of the beachfront favorite for nearly two more decades.
