Accessories Boutique
Editors: Peter Kate
The boutique has long been a resource for designer shoes, bags, jewelry and other accessories, as well as apparel. The bonus is savvy advice on styling. Which sunglasses define your personality? Which bag will take you from the office to happy hour? Building relationships with clients leads to building wardrobes that help women to define and refine their look.
Wilmington; peterkate.com
Bed & Breakfast
Downstate, Readers: Canalside Inn
Rehoboth Beach; thecanalsideinn.com
Upstate, Readers: The Inn at Montchanin Village & Spa
Wilmington; montchanin.com
Bike Shop
Downstate, Readers: Lewes Cycle Sports
Lewes; lewescyclesports.com
Upstate, Readers: Wooden Wheels Service, Repair & Sales
Newark; woodenwheels.bike
Bohemian Beachwear
Editors: Water Lili Boutique
Lili Oller wanted to create a place where women of all ages could find clothing that makes them feel confident. At her eclectic and stylish shop, garments are sourced from across the world and offer a different take on resortwear. On your next vacation at the beaches, everyone will be asking who you’re wearing.
Bethany Beach; waterlili.com
Boutique with Best Beauty Brands
Editors: Houppette
With friendly staffers who help patrons look better every day, Houppette is a destination for high-quality brands. Think Laura Mercier, Natura Bissé, Jane Iredale. Shoppers will find everything they need to build beauty from the skin up: cleanser, toner, exfoliants, serums, moisturizers and more. The cherry on top: great makeup and expert advice on how to use it, plus the ultimate place to get a makeover for the special occasion.
Greenville; houppette.com
Consignment Shop
Downstate, Readers: Peddlers Alley
Dagsboro; facebook.com/people/Peddlers-Alley/100063655356054/
Upstate, Readers: Designer Consigner
Hockessin; designerconsignerde.com
Day Spa (Manicures, Pedicures, Facials, Etc.)
Downstate, Readers: Bad Hair Day
Rehoboth Beach; badhairday.biz
Upstate, Readers: La Belle Studio
Wilmington; labelle-artistry.com
Florist
Downstate, Readers: Windsor’s Flowers
Rehoboth Beach; windsorsflorist.com
Upstate, Readers: Flowers by Yukie
Wilmington; flowersbyyukie.com
Gift Store
Downstate, Readers: Browseabout Books
Rehoboth Beach; browseaboutbooks.com
Upstate, Readers: Heart & Home
Newark, Wilmington; heartandhomede.com
Hair Salon (Men)
Downstate, Readers: Bad Hair Day
Rehoboth Beach; badhairday.biz
Upstate, Readers: Beauty Bar by Kristina Ruggerio
Wilmington; shopkristinaruggeriocosmetics.com
Hair Salon (Women)
Downstate, Readers: Bad Hair Day
Rehoboth Beach; badhairday.biz
Upstate, Readers: Ash & Gold Salon
Middletown; ashandgoldsalon.com
Historic Seaside Inn
Editors: Addy Sea Historic
Oceanfront Inn These cozy accommodations on the coast are a hot destination for weddings, romantic rendezvous and weekends when you just need to get away. The inn features a parlor, dining room and wraparound veranda where you can relax before or after a day in the sun. For additional privacy, book the guesthouse, which includes four guest rooms and access to a private oceanfront great room and sundeck.
Bethany Beach; addysea.com
Jeweler
Downstate, Readers: Sayers Jewelers & Gemologists
Smyrna; sayersjewelersandgemologists.com
Upstate, Readers: Michael Gallagher Jewelers
Bear; michaelgallagherjewelers.com
Linens and Other Fine Things
Editors: Blüm
When entrepreneurs Minh Cao and Nick Qaabar discovered a gap in the market for home goods that were natural, durable and sustainably sourced, they decided to fill it. At Blüm, you’ll find understated luxury bedding, bath towels, clothing and dining accessories—all made from linen or cotton, or a blend of both—as well as other beautiful tabletop accoutrements. The partners offer more than just products; it’s about a lifestyle committed to thoughtful practices and meaningful items that last a lifetime. designedbyblum.com
Luxury Apparel
Editors: Cashmere
Gardens Justin Brown’s vision of a luxury boutique that blends high quality with sustainability is distilled in meticulously curated capsule pieces—clothes women will wear year after year—that appeal to stylish individuals of all ages. It’s also a destination for emerging and leading-edge styles that show ethically produced clothes are always in fashion.
Rehoboth Beach; @cashmeregardens on Instagram
Med Spa
Downstate, Readers: Aesthetic Center
Lewes; aestheticcenter.com
Upstate, Readers: Mint & Needle Aesthetics Boutique
Middletown; mintandneedle.com
Pet Daycare
Downstate, Readers: Fur Baby Pet Resort
Milford; furbabypetresort.com
Upstate, Readers: Dogtopia of Wilmington
Wilmington; dogtopia.com
Pet Groomer
Downstate, Readers: Fur Baby Pet Resort
Milford; furbabypetresort.com
Upstate, Readers: Summit Bridge Veterinary Hospital
Bear; summit-vet.com
Place to Take 5 Years Off Your Face—Naturally
Editors: Currie Hair Skin and Nails
An extensive menu of customized facials offers the latest in products and technologies to reduce fine lines and improve the texture and clarity of skin. The Jan Marini Advanced Custom Facial harnesses glycolic acid to reduce pigmentation and diminish signs of aging. The Lunch Time Peel gives skin a smoother, more youthful appearance in 30 minutes flat.
Multiple locations; curriedayspa.com
Quirkiest Vintage Books
Editors: Biblion Used Books and Rare Finds
Find a brand-new story, an old childhood favorite or a rare read from a bygone era at this shop packed with personality. A curated collection of old and new books sit beside original art, literary gifts, unusual stationery and journals. But there’s more to this little bookshop than meets the eye—around back, you’ll find the Vintage Underground, a second floor below the store filled with treasures like old records, vintage clothes and fun gifts. It’s always a smart idea to call ahead to make sure they’re open during the off-season, but Biblion is open every day during the summer.
Lewes; biblionbooks.com
Stress-Busting Massage
Editors: Zen Spa Fenwick
Owner Stacey Wetzstein knows how to rub people the right way. A licensed massage therapist since 2004, she isn’t afraid to think outside the box. Services include the Good Karma CBD Massage to reduce body inflammation, a headache massage and Zen Concentrate, which targets the head, neck, shoulders and back. “Stacey W.” also owns Studio Z Blowout & Color Bar.
Selbyville; zenspafenwick.com
Surf Shop
Statewide, Readers: Dewey Beach Surf Shop
Dewey Beach; deweybeachsurfshop.com
Swimwear
Downstate, Readers: Pineapple Princess Swimwear
Rehoboth Beach; pineappleprincessswimwear.com
Upstate, Readers: The Swim Shop
Wilmington; theswimshopde.com
Tattoo Artist/Shop
Downstate, Readers: Tough Luck
Lewes; tough-luck.business.site
Upstate, Readers: Poppycock Tattoo & Piercing
Wilmington; poppycocktattoo.com
There’s No Way You’re Leaving Here Without a Kitten
Editors: Faithful Friends Animal Society
Faithful Friends has just moved to a new, state-of-the-art facility in New Castle. It features cat condos with big windows overlooking the woods, which are laced with quiet paths where volunteers and staff walk the dogs. Faithful Friends is also a free pet food bank, a place to get obedience training for your pet, a community veterinary clinic and a group that advocates for animal welfare. With milder winters and increasingly warm weather, kitten season is no longer confined to spring—babies are available year-round now, and there are plenty to choose from. Adopting pets rather than shopping for them is beneficial for the environment, the community and for you, as you go home with the knowledge that you’ve helped a special someone in need of a family.
New Castle; faithfulfriends.us
Wedding Venue
Downstate, Readers: The Clubhouse at Baywood
Millsboro; baywoodweddings.com
Upstate, Readers: Hotel Du Pont
Wilmington; hoteldupont.com
Related: The Ultimate Guide to Shopping in Delaware
