New Places to Shop at the Delaware Beaches

Here are the spots tourists and vacationers will go to splurge this summer.

 

When tourists aren’t sunbathing, swimming or dining, you’ll usually find them shopping. But vacationers aren’t the only ones filling the outlets’ parking lots these days. The influx of full-time residents in communities east and west of Del. 1 want to buy goods and services close to home. Here are a few new businesses to consider.

 

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Clothing and accessories

Stores specializing in clothing and accessories are the reigning queens of the retail scene along the coast. Consider Portland, Maine-based Sea Bags, which has opened a shop in Rehoboth Beach to sell nautically themed tote bags made with recycled sails. Accessories include wallets, wristlets and even beverage buckets.
40 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach • 567-2732

Nearby, Ocean City, Maryland-based Ish Boutique opened on Rehoboth Avenue in Best Nest’s old location. In addition to clothing—check out the cool kimonos—Ish sells accessories, beauty products and gifts.
403 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach • 212-2577

In the outlets, Steve Madden has joined neighbor Michael Kors. The American designer is best known for his funky footwear but has expanded into outerwear, watches, jewelry, handbags and other accessories.
Tanger Surfside, Suite 122 T, Rehoboth Beach • 645-1296

Avenue is scheduled to slip into a storefront near Levi’s. The brand sells women’s plus-size apparel.
Tanger Surfside, Suite 1530

In spring, Tangerine Goods in Bethany Beach opened a second location in downtown Rehoboth Beach. The Bethany store features clothing, but the smaller shop will start with mostly jewelry, accessories and gifts.
5 N. First St., Rehoboth Beach • 278-7419

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Aquamarine, a longtime Lewes boutique with unique women’s apparel, has moved to the green building on Kings Highway—not far from The Station on Kings. This row is becoming quite the retail destination.
820 Kings Hwy., Lewes • 644-4550

Aquamarine’s space did not stay empty for long. Henlopen Trading Co. moved into the downtown Lewes storefront. The new addition offers eco-conscious lifestyle brands, including Prana, Beyond Yoga, Hoka One One and Cotopaxi.
114 Second St., Lewes • 313-5910

 

Aquamarine Boutique and Mandie's Magical Marketplace in Lewes

Aquamarine and Mandie’s Magical Marketplace are located on Kings Highway in Lewes.//photo by Deny Howeth

 

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Handcrafted jewlery and spiritual items

Aquamarine isn’t the only store to move from Lewes’ historic district to Kings Highway. Mandie Stevens, a psychic-medium, moved Mandies Magical Marketplace to the purple house next to Aquamarine. She sells crystals, incense and spiritual books. She also offers classes and holds events, such as full moon gatherings on the beach.
818 Kings Hwy, Lewes • 858-3859

Salt + Stone in Rehoboth is a jewelry store specializing in handcrafted jewelry, art, crystals and smudging sticks so you can clear the bad energy and start fresh.
33 Wilmington Ave., Unit C, Rehoboth Beach • 827-7258

Home care, furniture and decor

Full- and part-time residents will appreciate Shore Shine MerMaids, a professional cleaning service that opened last year. Owner Dana Hastings covers Sussex County, including the coast, from Lewes to Fenwick Island.
519-5291 • facebook.com/DelawareMerMaids

Seaquels Furniture Consignment in Ocean View is under new ownership. The shop, which displays new inventory every day, has an abundance of beach-themed decor for a second home or rental property.
4 Town Road, Ocean View • 829-8636

In late 2018, J. Conn Scott opened a new showroom on Del. 1 in Rehoboth in the space once occupied by Merrill Lynch. (It’s set back from the road, so look for the white building and sign.) The highway location has plenty of parking.
19535 Camelot Drive, Rehoboth • 227-1850

In Lewes, Vintage Violet opened in winter just off Savannah Road. You’ll find specialty paint to create vintage-looking furniture along with finished pieces. Owner Victoria Smith also sells bath and body products with a French touch, and candles and clothing.
3380 Dreamweaver Lane, Lewes • 703-6692

Health and wellness

The beach is also a destination for those looking to get toned and unwind. Lewes Fit Body Boot Camp, which specializes in 30-minute workouts, opened at the Villages of Five Points. The studio welcomes all fitness levels.
17252 N. Village Main Blvd., Units 10 and 11, Lewes • 500-3589

If you grew up in the 1960s and 1970s, you may remember when water-filled sensory-deprivation pods were popular. They’re back at Urban Float, only today’s models are as sleek as an Apple product. Fans say that “floating” reduces pain and helps you sleep.
18979 Coastal Hwy., Unit 101 Rehoboth Beach • 232-3141

Things to do

This season, Freedom Boat Club Delaware opened a satellite “club” at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal. The company is aptly named. Members get the benefit of boating without the cost of owning or maintaining a boat. After undergoing training by U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captain, the members go online to reserve the vessel of their choice at the time of their choice. There are also docks on the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal, at Riverside Business Park and Marina, and in Long Neck, in the PotNets Bayside community.
43 Cape Henlopen Drive, Lewes • 833-BOAT-DEL • FreedomBoatClub.com

Expected to be open in mid-June, The Great STEMporium children’s activity center turns classroom topics like Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) into playful projects. After all, you can’t beat seeing your friend’s hair stand on end, especially when you’re wearing a lab coat and goggles. Come with family and friends for a session or hold a party or event in the facility.
18388 Coastal Hwy., #10, Lewes • (301) 758-0839

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