Decoys Seafood Restaurant celebrated its opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday afternoon.

“We’ve been looking at this spot for 20 years, and we had originally passed up on it,” said owner Brian Mullins. “When the opportunity finally came, we did it the way we wanted to do it. It took off with a life of its own and grew.”

Currently just the restaurant is open, but the rest of the facility, Blind Duck Tiki Bar and the 60 boat slips, will be open on April 28.

There is more to Decoys than just a place to eat, because there is a small lodging area, a bar and even a place to tie up a boat.

“We always wanted to do more of a resort, but this is like that on a smaller scale,” said Teresa Mullins, co-owner of Decoys. “It just made sense.”

The lodging area has two cottages, both outfitted with two private bedrooms, for guests to stay overnight, and those staying in the cottages have access to a private hot tub. To make the stay even more luxurious, those staying overnight will also have access to room service.

Looking over the deck, patrons will see the Blind Duck Tiki Bar, a 21 and over bar that features a small pool and a swim-up bar. The tiki bar will be seasonal, opening in late April and staying open until the end of September.

Since its opening, the restaurant has been packed tight, and Circuit Court Clerk Randy Carter said this week he hasn’t been able to find a seat, even on a weeknight.

At the ribbon-cutting, city officials gathered together to talk about what a joy it was to have something that remembered the history of the old marina and paid homage to their younger years.

“This place is a piece of our heart,” said Mayor Linda T. Johnson. “You have improved the quality of life in this city.”

The Mullinses own M&M Hospitality and have acquired properties to build the quality of restaurants and entertainment venues in Suffolk. Those in attendance thanked them for their investment in the city.

“We are delighted that you are here and brought us this great facility. A lot of people are going to come here,” said Councilman Roger Fawcett. “Thank you for choosing Suffolk with everything that you do.”

Others were happy to see seafood options being added to Suffolk.

“I have been hoping for a long, long time, and it’s nice to have a seafood place in Suffolk,” said Vice Mayor Leroy Bennett.

Decoys, at 3305 Ferry Road, is open daily for both lunch and dinner. Lunch is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and dinner is from 5 to 10 p.m. The tiki bar is open Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 8 p.m. during its open season.