Sullivan’s looking to expand to Hingham

Wendy Maeda/Globe Staff

Sullivan's, the popular concession stand on Castle Island known for its hot dogs and long lines, is looking to expand beyond South Boston by opening a second location at the Hingham Bathing Beach.

Owner Brendan Sullivan is moving forward with a plan to build a new outlet on the beach off Route 3A. It would be a big leap for the family-run business, which has been serving hot dogs and cold drinks at Castle Island since 1951.

"We've always just had the one location," said Sullivan.

The plan is to construct a 2,400-square-foot eatery and public restrooms at the Hingham beach. Sullivan said the new beachside facility would have a "similar feel" to the Sullivan's in South Boston.

Hingham's beach trustees recently granted Sullivan's a 60-day extension to review engineering issues with the site. If all goes according to plan, construction could begin later this year, and the new restaurant could be open for business as early as next spring.

"That's our goal," said Sullivan. "Hopefully, if all goes well, we'll be ready."

Sullivan's — also known as Sully's — has been a popular destination on Castle Island since it first opened in June 1951. A South Boston institution, Sullivan's is known for its tasty food and long lines that move astonishingly fast.

The Hingham Bathing Beach is a public beach managed by a three-member board of trustees. In 2013, the trustees issued a request for proposals to build a new bath house/snack shop at the beach. Sullivan said he took a close look at the RFP and felt his business could be a good fit.

He recently asked the town for the additional 60 days to continue conducting due diligence on the property, and to take a closer look at what it would take to get utilities in place. The 60-day extension was granted on March 3, said Alan Perrault, chairman of the trustees.

Perrault said the Hingham Bathing Beach needs new bathhouse facilities, so the project could be a win-win. The existing public restrooms at the beach date back to the early 1960s, and they are only open on a limited schedule, he said. If Sullivan's moves forward with construction plans, the old restrooms would be demolished to make way for new ones, he said.

Perrault said many Hingham residents are already familiar with Sullivan's.

"Most of the feedback we've heard has been positive," he said. "They have a recognizable name."