Korey Lewis and his partner, Harry Hall, were going to town, tearing down walls and the ceiling inside Pier One Pizza on Jan. 17. Lewis is in the throes of expanding and updating the bar side of the business on Pier One in Boothbay Harbor.

Lewis said that when all is said and done, the bar area will be a little bigger and there will be handicapped accessible bathrooms. The ceiling will be opened up and raised to make more head space.

The work is being done by Lewis' and Hall's construction company, Lewis Construction, LLC. The two have been in business together for 10 years.

“We'll be making the walk-in area out back bigger and more efficient,” Lewis said. When he started his business 16 years ago, the space was suitable for what was needed, but over time, the business has evolved and grown, and the need for more efficient space became apparent.

The renovation project will also include the outside bar area, right on the wharf. It has been a small area where people can enjoy a beer or mixed drink out in the salty air, leaning on the railings watching the comings and goings and the activity on the wharf.

When the project is complete, sometime around Feb. 25, the deck area, which has always had a step down to the inside of the bar, will be level, and will include a few tables with umbrellas. An awning will be installed above the tables, making a shaded spot to sip a cold beer and enjoy some pizza on a hot July day.

The bar and pizza areas are closed now, but just for a few days. Lewis said the pizza area, with a temporary bar, will reopen on Friday, Jan. 20.