Located at the “end of the Earth” (that is, the most southern tip of the state), we are, at once, remote and convenient. Just two hours from Washington, DC and Baltimore — with no Bay Bridge traffic — Pier450 is set amid a pastoral collection of farmland and marinas just minutes from St. Mary’s College and across the river from Virginia’s popular Northern Neck.
Our is a multifaceted story, so bear with us…
The Scheible’s Era
As many of you know, this place was once “Scheible’s,” a working fishing camp that got its start back in the 1940s. Multiple generations of Scheibles owned and worked here over more than six decades, creating a special gathering place that was also a steadfast employer in “South County.” We have met literally hundreds of people who worked at Scheible’s in their youth — running fishing charters, cleaning fish, washing dishes, tending bar, playing dock master…you name it. (And you all have been wonderfully gracious in welcoming us to such an important part of your history here.) The Scheibles were beloved and Sally’s crab soup, legendary.
After Bruce and Sally Scheible hung up their fishing poles and aprons, respectively (Bruce ran the charters and Sally was the brains behind the restaurant), the place went through a couple of management changes before landing empty and in want of a new lease on life.
Enter Peggy Binzel. 
The name derives from our 450 foot-long pier, recently refurbished and ready for its close-up as a place for pleasure boats, sunset gazing, engagement photos and even a yoga class here and there. Oh, and an occasional pelican.
The Transformation
Peggy’s interest in Southern Maryland began more than a dozen years ago with the purchase of a “fixer upper” beach house in Scotland, Maryland, just five miles across the peninsula on the Chesapeake Bay. Within a few years, a vacation house for herself and her extended family evolved to include, now, a portfolio of 10 houses — a beachfront collection of finely appointed rental properties called “Scotland Yards.” These gorgeous homes have captured a loyal (and growing) base of clientele drawn largely from Washington, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Peggy purchased the old Scheible’s property in 2019, deciding to take on the effort to bring the property back to life — and a fine dining option to Southern St. Mary’s County. Her hope and vision was to create a new kind of gathering place that would bring together the local community, Scotland Yards visitors and, hopefully, national (and world?!) travelers interested in a beautiful and eclectic property with locally sourced food options, stunning views and recreational opportunities.
The physical transformation was fascinating — if not at times challenging, as we navigated the hurdles of bringing a 70 year-old property up to date on a highly regulated piece of real estate. But here we now are. Whew.
Opened officially Labor Day Weekend 2020, Pier450 has been transformed and now encompasses a boutique roadside-esque motel, indoor/outdoor fine dining restaurant, eclectic shop, and burgeoning gardens and other outdoor areas.
