retired in 2011. Property owner Peter Aikens said the business reopened as Ocean 12 last year, but its operators declined to renew their lease, opening the door for 603 Burgers.

The new burger joint's motto is "Live Free and Eat Fries." Its owners, Maggie and Gary Hatch, relocated from Bath, a remote town of 900 residents described online as the "covered bridge capital of New England."

Although 603 Burgers did not have much exposure in the small Grafton County town, the business did develop somewhat of a cult following for its fresh beef patties, which come in several signature varieties and a "build your own" option. A post on the establishment's Facebook page in April announcing the move to Rye garnered 99 comments from fans who were sorry to seestand."

While 603 Burgers opened May 16, Jim Murphy, the owner of another new establishment just on the other side of Wallis Road at 1191 Ocean Blvd., said he hopes to be open by Friday.

The Beach Hut is located at the Beach Hut Bungalows, which Murphy also lives in and rents out weekly in the summer and seasonally in the winter months. He said he spent much of his youth on the beach in Hampton, where he worked at such locales as the Ashworth by the Sea and the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom.

This is Murphy's first experience as a proprietor, and he said so far, the response has been encouraging.

"We're getting a very positive reception from all the neighbors and people that stop by. I'm optimistic," he said.

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