Joy Quinn was in John’s Pass, Fla., in 2009 when The Spice & Tea Exchange caught her eye. Curious, she popped in. “I didn’t intend to buy anything, but I just got completely seduced by this store,” she says. She was intoxicated by the heady spices, the specialty sugar, the salt and fine teas. “I walked out with $75 worth of stuff.”
Quinn hopes residents and visitors to Rehoboth Beach will be equally enamored. Over Easter weekend, she opened The Spice & Tea Exchange of Rehoboth Beach.
Quinn is in good company. She’s one of several beach-area shops that cater to foodies in one way or another. Yet there are also plenty of other new and relocated boutiques and services, all of which will give vacationers the opportunity to take a souvenir home this summer. (rehoboth@spiceandtea.com)
Quinn fell in love with The Spice & Tea Exchange’s products because they let people create healthy meals that still have a lot of flavor. By now, she should know. She and a partner own franchises in Annapolis and Alexandria, Va., but she is the sole owner of the Rehoboth shop.
Edie Bees Confection Shop is another flavorful newcomer. Leisa Berlin opened the chocolate and candy boutique in part of the old Cake Bar site in Lewes. (Daughter Sarah McKeown in May opened Nectar in the other section.) Berlin is no stranger to sweet treats. She once had a popcorn and candy shop on Second Street. She later sold the location to Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. When Rocky Mountain closed, Berlin saw a niche. “Every little town needs a candy store,” she says. By April, she’d filled 220 large apothecary jars with classic candies. Each is thoroughly researched before she adds it to the collection. “I want to find the best I can find,” she says. Consider John & Kira’s, which is known for its hand-painted ladybugs and honey-filled bees. “I’m so proud to sell it,” Berlin says. (645-BEES)
An old favorite, the purveyor of hot sauces known as Peppers, has moved to a new space that unites the office, store and warehouse under one roof at Five Pointes Plaza near Lewes. If an item is sold out in the store, the associate need only check the warehouse to put it back in business. “It’s been a tremendous success from the standpoint of everything we’re doing on the web and across the country,” says owner Chip Hearn. The shop is constantly adding new products, and it ships around the world. A top seller remains the Georgia Peach & Vidalia Onion Hot Sauce. “It’s good on eggs and good when you make fish,” Hearn says. (800-998-3473, peppers.com)
For a healthy take, head over to Good News Natural Foods on Rehoboth Avenue, the newest location for the Delaware chain. (The Milford site has a commercial kitchen that prepares fresh food for all locations.) (227-3177, goodnewsnaturalfoods.com)
The cheese hardly stands alone at Morgan and Gower Cheese Mongers in Rehoboth. You’ll also find charcuterie items, spices, seasonings, dry goods and meats. (727-5566)
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