Music Where You May Not Expect It
SINFULLY GOOD
Argilla Brewing in Newark combines its love of handcrafted beer and delicious pizza to bring you a brewpub and pizzeria in one. To add even more fun to the mix it offers weekly events and live music, including longtime faves The Sin City Band on Mondays and an open mic night on Sundays.
RAGIN’ CAJUN AND BLUES
St. Georges Country Store features a deli and a Cajun restaurant where you can hear live music six nights a week (closed on Sundays). It’s a fun place to go with friends, have a few drinks and listen to good blues. We recommend the Garry Cogdell “sessions” at the end of each month on Friday or Saturday nights.
LAISSEZ LES BON TEMPS ROULEZ!
At Nora Lees French Quarter Bistro in New Castle, it’s easy to fall into a trance when musicians sing the blues and perform jazz numbers. Every Friday and Saturday night, you can find live music at the back of the dining area. Share an order of the crawfish nachos and prepare for some toe-tapping entertainment.
CLOGGING, ANYONE?
If you go to Woodside Farm Creamery in Hockessin this summer, you may be lucky enough to find various local musicians gathering to play old-time music. Young and old gather with guitars, banjos, stand-up basses and others analog instruments in a shed or under the big tree out front, almost like an impromptu bluegrass festival. Established in 1796 by the Mitchell family, the farm makes ice cream from the milk of more than 30 Jersey cows.
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Rockin’ at Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats in Rehoboth Beach. |
ECLECTIC
Whether you want great food, unique craft beers or fresh musical entertainment, Dogfish Head Brewings and Eats is the place to go. Owner Sam Calagione’s love of music and his eclectic tastes are well represented, with regular performances by groups such as the all-woman band Jane Lee Hooker and the funk and soul of the Adam Ezra Group. A different musician or group is featured almost every weekend night.
GREEN MEANS GO
Irish Eyes on the canal in Lewes is a traditional Irish pub that serves classic pub fare along with local seafood selections and an extensive vegetarian menu. With your meal enjoy live music by local faves Ed Shockley and Keith Mack and the bluesy, rockabilly-ish Big Hat No Cattle.
BACKGROUND MUSIC
Grocery shopping is a joy thanks to the partnership between ShopRite and Gable Music Ventures. For over a year, every store (except Newark) has featured live music from some of the area’s best performers. The performance schedule is a bit random, but Gable’s Gayle Dillman says Sundays 11 a.m.-1 p.m. are popular. Expect the unexpected, like music from Mike McDevitt, a folk-Americana artist, and harpist Kristin Rebecca.
DOUGH, RE, MI
Dedicated to using the freshest ingredients for its food, Extreme Pizza in Wilmington’s LOMA district is also dedicated to presenting quality music. Every Friday night you can expect to see live performances rocking the place. Head to its Facebook page to see a monthly schedule of who’s playing from around town as well as the surrounding area.
SCHOOL OF ROCK
Since 2012, students and faculty have been performing a variety of music at World Cafe Live during the Tatnall School Coffee House. More than 25 students, mainly from the high school, will perform downstairs this year due to the size and popularity of the show. Most of the ticket money is donated to the school. This year’s show rocks the Queen on April 1.
Outdoors
HIKE THE MIKE
Named after one of the state’s most popular politicians, the 16-mile Michael N. Castle Trail runs along the north bank of the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal. The recently completed asphalt path allows hikers, cyclists and horseback riders to travel between Delaware City and Chesapeake City. A section of trail loops around Summit North Marina near Aqua Sol restaurant. May we suggest a quick pit stop to refuel on crab cakes and beverages? Happy trails.
BREEZE THROUGH THE TREES
Tucked on the northwest side of the Delaware State University campus is a treasure that is indeed hidden: the Woodland Trail—a one-third-mile long loop through the beautiful 76-acre College Woods grove of red bud, sassafras, ash and other deciduous trees that is part of the Delaware estuary watershed. Along the trail you will find 18 wooden trail posts to identify the various landmarks and plant species you encounter on your way. (That’s not to mention DelState’s arboretum, which has earned a Tree Campus USA designation.)
CREEKSIDE CRUISING
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Bike and Hike Hagley is held Wednesday evenings during summer. - Advertisement -
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You can spend a summer evening strolling, jogging or cycling along the Brandywine, past the picturesque powder works and factory buildings on the tree-shaded grounds of Hagley for a rare look at a beautiful time of day. Dine at the Belin House Organic Café, or reserve one of its picnic totes ($20) for dinner al fresco (though you can bring your own). Bike and Hike Hagley happens on Wednesday evenings June through August. On June 29, July 27, and Aug. 31 bring your pooch on a leash for Bike and Hike Dog Days.
MARSH MELLOW
Overlooking the Thousand Acre Marsh below the Reedy Point Bridge, 140 acres of the Bennett Farm has recently been preserved as part of the state’s new Bayshore Forever Initiative to increase eco-tourism and cultural preservation in Delaware’s coastal zone. The property will soon feature the one-mile Port Penn Trail through the woods to a bird-viewing platform where watchers can see one of the globe’s great migrations. Former U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar has called the area one of the most beautiful in the world.
TARZAN COMPLEX
Just below the Route 100 bridge over Brandywine Creek, tied to an old sycamore that leans precipitously from a high, muddy bank, is one of the world’s great rope swings. Climbing exposed roots to the base of the trunk, then climbing the slick tree to the uppermost 2-by-4 step is an adventure in risk. Your reward: A long arc out over the creek and, when you let go at the peak of your swing, a smooth entry into the water—we hope.
PRIMEVAL
You may very occasionally cross paths with a mountain biker poaching the trail on the 143-acre Edward H. McCabe Nature Preserve outside Milton, but little else besides nature. This gem encompasses upland forest, a cedar swamp, tidal marshes and, if you visit during the migration, a stunning variety of neotropical songbirds. Your short hike ends on a bend of the Broadkill that is stunningly primeval. Look for it off Round Pole Bridge Road in Milton.
Sports & Rec
THE EXTRA MILE
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Julia and Patrick McGowen of Run & Tri |
Looking to improve your time in the Dewey Beach Triathlon? Or maybe you just want to finish the Caesar Rodney Half Marathon this year. Did you know that Rehoboth Beach Running Company, TriCoach and Run & Tri Rehoboth Beach all offer various training programs for runners and triathletes of all abilities? Julia and Patrick McGowen of Run & Tri will teach you how to run while relieving pressure from your joints. They also hold clinics on topics such as injury prevention.
ON TARGET
Archery has become so popular, the New Castle 100 Archers club in Newark is filling its weekly public lessons without even trying. For $20 you get use of the club’s equipment and 90 minutes of instruction on the range. Ladies, join the women-only class on Wednesday evenings. When it’s time to move on, you can join a league or try your hand at 3D targets. If you understand the allure of golf, archery could be your next conquest.
SMOOTH SAILING
Learning to sail at New Castle Sailing means the instructors will also teach you how to safely navigate the unique waters and tides of the Delaware River. Once you become a member you can take a boat out at any time from the moorings off Battery Park. Rehoboth Beach Sailing Association, in Dewey on the Rehoboth Bay, is one of the few places left that you can rent a boat for a day or take lessons as a non-member.
MADE IN THE SHADE
Brand new at Dover International Speedway: The Hangout. Before the May races, relax with good grilled food and a drink in a new shaded area with comfortable lounge furniture. Take in some live music. Maybe meet a NASCAR driver. Check it out near the Monster Monument at Victory Plaza. There’s an upcharge to your race ticket, but it puts you right in the middle of the action.
CACHE CALL
Talk about uncovering hidden Delaware, Geocaching is the perfect way to exercise while using a GPS to search for tiny treasures (cache) that have been tucked out of sight. The state-sponsored Delaware Geocaching Trail—with nearly 70 cache locations like historic Barratt’s Chapel cemetery in Frederica and Fordham Brewing Company in Dover—will get you started.
CRUISE FOR THE BREWS
The River Towns Ride & Festival is young, as local festivals go, so it may not be on your radar. It should be. The fourth annual event (Oct. 1) will be held in Old New Castle, Delaware City and the 10-mile stretch of Del. 9 that links the historic waterfront towns. Along with a time trial for competitive bicyclists from across the Mid-Atlantic are races and rides for cyclists of all abilities, hammerheads to slow cruisers. The free festival will feature local bands, hay and pony rides, games, food and a craft beer festival.
Dining
DELI ON THE GO
Finding good corned beef and knishes in Delaware can be harder than finding a good cheesesteak in Phoenix. No more. Ocean City, Md.-based Rosenfeld’s last fall fired up the Roadside Jewish Deli food truck, which makes pit stops in Southern Delaware. Find the schedule on its Facebook page.
A PALATE FOR POPUP
One of the best meals in Wilmington isn’t at a restaurant. It’s at a popup dinner prepared by chef Robert Lhulier. Lhulier, who has cooked at the James Beard House in New York, will host the dinner chez lui or chez vous. The BYO affair might include four courses—plus hors d’oeuvres—for $60.
SIP, SAVOR & STRUM
For dinner and a show in your home, former Bad Company bassist Paul Cullen is mining his Italian heritage to create in-meals paired with wines. During a Tune Your Palate event, he also performs Mediterranean-style guitar music afterward. Or listen to Cullen anytime. His latest CD, “Live in Tuscany,” featuring violinist Alessandro Golini, was released in February.
BROWN BAG BARGAIN
Some beach-area restaurants charge a pretty penny for a to-go lunch. Save your cents for sun block and head to Sunshine Café in Beebe Healthcare’s Lewes hospital, which sells prepackaged $5 brown bags with a sandwich and chips. You also get a beverage. The chicken is big enough for two, and if the crab bisque is available, snag some of that too.
BURGERS BY THE BAY
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Abundance Child of Drop Squad Kitchen with |
Burgers taste better by the beach, but finding a spot that combines casual fare, craft beers and classic views isn’t easy. The Cape May-Lewes Ferry delivers the goods at On the Rocks, the Lewes’ terminal restaurant, which has an outdoor bar and dining next to the water. Grab a burger, a 16 Mile Brewery beer and watch the ferries depart.
VEGANS’ BEST-KEPT SECRET
For vegans, paradise found is Drop Squad Kitchen, located in what was formerly Molly’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream & Deli in Wilmington. Smoothies, soups, teas, falafel, salads and black bean burgers are all on the menu.
LIFT YOUR SPIRITS
“All the best things in life are right here,” says David Gavotos of Swigg in Independence Mall. “We’re featuring family farm wines, spirits, ciders, craft beers, and a small offering of cheeses and chocolates.” This most affordable boutique with the most unpretentious name keeps the store at cellar temperature and there is always wine open to taste.
Drink
AGE ISN’T JUST A NUMBER
For baby boomers, 60 is the new 40. Yet it’s still sobering to learn that the oldest bottle of wine at the Hotel du Pont is Bertani Amarone Recioto della Valpolicella, an Italian red, which dates to 1972 ($400). It’s not the most expensive in the collection. That honor belongs to Chateau Mouton Rothschild Pauillac, bottled in 1986 and priced at $2,900.
A BLITHE SPIRIT
What makes Painted Stave’s Diamond State Bourbon Whiskey one of the smoothest we’ve ever sampled? We have no idea. Maybe it’s the blend of corn, rye and barley. Maybe it’s the year spent aging in a one-gallon oak barrel. We do know this: The first batch was limited to about 160 bottles, to be bought only at the distillery in Smyrna. If you missed it, look for future releases wherever you find Painted Stave spirits.
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John Donato of The Buttery with a bottle of Joseph |
BEST BANG FOR THE BOTTLE
High-priced wines usually aren’t marked up as much as less expensive bottles on most restaurant lists, but even so, they must live up to the billing. The Buttery in Lewes features Joseph Phelps Insignia, which is so reliably good that the restaurant buys shares while the wine is still in the barrel. Customers appreciate the effort. The Buttery has no problem going through the wine, which was recently priced at $385.
NEW BREW
Where is the state’s newest craft brewery? If all goes as planned, Revelation Craft Brewing Company will soon open a small brewery and tasting room in West Rehoboth. The facility will be the prelude to the anticipated 2017 opening of a brewpub in the old Belltown United Methodist Church in Lewes. Co-owner Harry Metcalfe says offerings will include barrel-aged and cask-conditioned ales.
MARYDEL MARVEL
It’s worth the trip off the beaten track to visit Harvest Ridge Winery in Marydel, which offers 22 wines. Blue Hen Blue and Chambourcin have both won a double gold medal in the Tasters Guild 2014 Wine Lovers’ Consumer Wine Judging, and the Pinot Gris has also placed. Not bad for a rookie.
POP CULTURE
Ace isn’t just the place for fertilizer and extra keys. Best Ace Hardware in Lewes also carries an eclectic inventory of artisan sodas, such as Cicero Brewing Company’s Chicago-style Lime Soda, Swamp Pop’s Satsuma Fizz, Abita Root Beer from Louisiana and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory’s Coco-Fizz Chocolate Soda. Bottoms up and hammers down.
Arts & Culture
BELTING OUT THE BARD
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OperaDelaware’s production of “Hamlet.” |
It’s been 400 years this month since the passing of the great William Shakespeare, an anniversary acknowledged and a life celebrated far and wide by the expected and unexpected. Among them is OperaDelaware, which will stage the East Coast premier of Franco Faccio’s recently rediscovered “Hamlet” (say om-let-toe in the mother tongue) and Verdi’s “Falstaff” during its annual festival May 14-15 and May 19-22. Notoriously complex to perform, “Falstaff” is also a first in Delaware, so it is not one to be missed. And yet one more first: the Shakespeare in Song collaboration with Delaware Shakespeare Festival on May 19.
GLOBE TROTTING
Speaking thereof, you know the Delaware Shakespeare Festival for its annual two-week residency at Rockwood Park every summer. Come November, it will branch out with the three-week Delaware Shakespeare Community Tour, a professional production of “Pericles” that will visit community centers, homeless shelters, detention centers and other places across the state where people have limited access to the arts. It’s the kind of outreach that makes our cultural institutions relevant every day.
CHATEAU SPLENDOR
It may be enclosed by a high wall, but Nemours Mansion and Gardens otherwise hides in plain sight. Experience the splendor of Alfred I. duPont’s 18th-century French style mansion and gardens, a Versailles on the edge of Chateau Country. Built as a gift to his second wife, Nemours and its gardens were designed and executed by the masters of their day, such as sculptor Prosper Lecourtier. (And you thought Downton Abbey was something.) Tour it May through early January. The holidays bring special evening tours.
SOUND CHAMBER
The chamber ensembles of the Delaware Symphony Orchestra may have its mighty imprimatur, but small groups such as Brandywine Baroque, Serafin String Quartet, Mélomanie, the Festival Quartet of the Delaware Chamber Music Festival, the Pyxis Piano Quartet and others add to the richness of traditional music offerings in the area, often in places you wouldn’t expect, such as Delaware Art Museum and The Delaware Contemporary. A visit to Brandywine Baroque’s home in the Barn at Flintwoods is a treat.
WELL MET
If you can’t get to New York City, the Cape Henlopen Educational Foundation and the Rehoboth Beach Film Society team up to simulcast 10 live HD performances from the Metropolitan Opera each season. For responsible pricing ($15-$25), viewing is done on a new projector at the Cape Henlopen High School Theatre every Saturday. Reservations are recommended, but you can pay cash at the door. This month: Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly,” Donizetti’s “Roberto Devereaux” and Strauss’ “Elektra.” (Look for RBFS’s new Cinema Art Theater in Lewes at Dartmouth Plaza soon.)
GONE COASTAL
Until Coastal Concerts, there was no place in Sussex County that delivered excellent classical music consistently. This juggernaut of programming coordinates a season of five outstanding concerts from November through March, and in the unlikeliest of places: the social hall of Bethel United Methodist Church in Lewes. That means you sit nearly knee to knee with world-class performers such as this month’s “wild card” ensemble, the Sybarite5 string quintet.
A MATTER OF TASTE
Art is coming to the Kelly Logan House! Events Coordinator, Robert Ellis, would like to add even more color and fun to weekend brunches by featuring artists’ work at that prime location in Trolley Square. “We’re all about building new relationships,” he says, “and we’re looking for artists. Friends, food, and art have always gone well together.”
COME HALE OR HIGH WATER
Kim Burdick, resident curator of the Hale Byrnes House near Stanton, Delaware, was recently appointed to the Awards Selection Committee of the Philadelphia Historic Preservation Alliance. The annual awards dinner is held in Philadelphia in June. Kim was also asked to be the keynote speaker at the February meeting of the Philadelphia Chapter of Society of Architectural Historians.
Fantastic Film (and other entertainment)
THE GREAT ESCAPE?
Gather your friends and test your inner Houdini at Exodus Escape Room. Your team will be locked into a puzzle room with one hour to find the clues needed to get out.
DOUBLE DUTY
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Zach Phillips of the Kitchen, a video production |
The office of the Kitchen, next to Gate E of the Wilmington Train Station, houses a video production company that helps businesses with branding. It also shows original movies for friends and colleagues of the owners. Director Zach Phillips, a big fan of classic films, screened the original “Star Wars” on 35mm before the release of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” The Kitchen is currently expanding across the tracks to include the old Frank Furness room.
FUNNY BUSINESS
Smyrna Opera House, a place that consistently delivers surprises such as performances staged by OperaDelaware, is working with Gable Music Ventures to produce a slew of cool music and comedy shows at bargain prices. Acts include Hot Breakfast! Tommy Pope and guitarist Todd Chappelle of the local YouTube sensation “I’m From Delaware,” just to name a few.
OUTDOOR MOVIES
During the summer, the Rehoboth Beach Film Society presents family-oriented films under the stars. Screening locations include Lewes Canalfront Park and the Bandstand in Rehoboth Beach. Shows start at dusk. Admission is free. Don’t forget chairs or blankets.
FILM HISTORY
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of watching a film in a classic theater. The Clayton Theatre in Dagsboro (est. 1948) and the Everett Theatre (est. 1922) Middletown, are two historic theaters still in operation. The Clayton offers only one screen for first-run films most days, Clayton Classics on Mondays. This month see “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” as you would have in 1957 (and three other vintage flicks). The Everett is famous as the location for “A Midsummer’s Night Dream” in the 1989 film “The Dead Poets Society.”
ART HOUSE DL
There’s no need to travel to Philly to catch the latest indie or foreign film. Theatre N in the Nemours Building screens independent films, plus offers wine and beer with your side of popcorn. You can’t beat that combo, and the ticket prices beat those of any first-run theater or art house.
MOVIES IN MILFORD
Cozy Riverfront Theatre in Milford may be the home of the Second Street Players, but for a little more than a year, it has offered monthly movies. In a place that still hasn’t been discovered by the big multiplex chains, that’s a good thing.
Musicians You Should Know
DYNAMIC DUO
Musician Shawn Qaissaunee and singer Sharon Sable have been performing together for over seven years and have been married for five. Qaissaunee is known for his jazz guitar, which pairs beautifully with Sable’s soft sound. “People often compare her voice to Nora Jones. She has a very genuine delivery,” Qaissaunee says. The duo performs at Hummingbird to Mars, the speakeasy-themed bar above Catherine Rooney’s in Trolley Square. Qaissaunee also hosts an open mic on Tuesdays at Gallucio’s Italian Restaurant, which draws an eclectic group of musicians and performers.
ONE LOVE
You don’t have to love reggae music to enjoy the sounds of Spokey Speaky. Jeff Ferrara, Jason Keenan and John Dickinson perform a wide range of roots reggae classics by Bob Marley and Toots & The Maytals, as well as some originals. Catch them Thursdays at D&H Jamaican Cuisine in Newark. They have also been spotted jamming out at Kelly’s Logan House and in Rehoboth and Dewey Beach. “Speaky-Spokey is when someone from Jamaica tries to speak with an American accent, so we just reversed it,” says Dickinson, about the name of the band. Follow on Facebook or stream the music from the band’s website.
SUPREMELY COMPOSED
Unless you keep the rarefied company of avant garde and traditional musicians, you probably don’t know the work of local composer Mark Hagerty. Adventurous listeners will find an intriguing and provocative oeuvre that ranges in style from works influenced by the world’s great musical traditions, as well as Hagerty’s own self-described “forays” into a personal expression that veers from convention. His works have been performed around the world, but you can hear them at home on the CDs “Soliloquy” and “The Realm of Possibility,” or via downloads from www.hagertymusic.com.
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Arden Kind is four students from Cab Calloway School |
FOUR-TEEN
Arden Kind is four students from Cab Calloway School of the Arts—singer Oscar Zappa Compo, drummer Giles Wall, Emmett Dwyer on bass and guitarist Grayson Roberts-Jolly—who have already sold out shows at Kennett Flash and have performed at the Voltage Lounge in Philadelphia. Together little more than a year, their indie rock sound has been deeply influenced by classic rock and modern bands such as Led Zeppelin, Foo Fighters, Radiator Hospital and Modern Baseball. Check out their debut album “Arden Kind I” and the sophomore effort “Troubled Boy” at www.ardenkind.bandcamp.com.
A TOTAL TRIPP
The emerging LauraLea & TrippFabulous has appeared at venues from the beaches to the Wilmington Riverfront. Always the center of the weekend buzz, Laura Lea appears in Dewey regularly during the summer, pounding out self-described “party rock” covers that are fun to sing along to.
SOUND GARDEN
A few years old now, the CD “Playing in the Garden” is still well worth finding. This anthology of music inspired by Winterthur Garden ranges from the reggae-tinged pop of “A Beautiful Day” by Arden of Eden and the guitar-driven “A Cloudy Drive” by Casey Neal to neo-traditional works such as “Harp in the Window” by Slyte of Hand. Every one of the 15 tracks and 12 local artists is a winner—and at $5, it is a supreme bargain. Send an email via artsinmedia.com.
FOLK HEROES
The great Delaware Friends of Folk is working hard to promote the music and local players such as Sand Creek, Driven Women and Chapel Street Junction. There are concerts in the Old State House on the second Friday of each month, regular “coffee house” shows in the chapel at Wesley College, an afternoon pick-in on the second Saturday of the month (various venues) and the annual Delmarva Folk Festival every September. This year’s will be the 25th. You could say you were there.
Kid Stuff & Family Fun
SUMMER MOVIE EXPRESS
Take a break from the sun and pool, and treat the kids to a movie without breaking the bank. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays from late June through August, kid-themed movies are just $1 at 10 a.m. at Regal Cinemas Brandywine in Wilmington and Regal Cinemas Peoples Plaza in Newark.
STEAM POWER
You can eat popcorn from a steam-powered popper, check out the Lionel train display and watch demos of vintage Stanley automobiles during Steamin’ Days at Marshall Steam Museum in Yorklyn. But the highlight for kids young and old is a ride on the Auburn Heights Railroad, small passenger cars pulled by a 1 ½-inch scale steam locomotive on a 7 ½-inch gauge track. Production of the original Little Engine has recently begun again, but you can ride an original from the 1950s around the property, past a pond—even through a tunnel—at Auburn Heights.
GET PUMPED
You know it mainly as a place for kids’ parties, but Pump It Up in Newport also offers open jump nights when anyone can get crazy on its big inflatable attractions. Look for special themed jump nights, from glow-in-the-dark bounces to bubble mania and special deals.
GATOR AID
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Tick-Tock the alligator resides at 3 Palms Zoo and |
You’ve certainly heard of the Brandywine Zoo, but did you know Delaware has another zoo? It’s called 3 Palms Zoo and Education Center, on Blackbird Forest Road in Clayton. Owner Dan Stonebraker claims to have the state’s only “legal” alligator, Tick-Tock, who was discovered living in a bathtub. Three Palms is a rescue zoo, meaning many of its animals—exotic, wild and domestic—have special needs and are kept for educational purposes.
TAKE A BOW
For 35 years, the Rehoboth Summer Children’s Theatre has been entertaining and educating young ones and their families. Each summer the theater, founded by Elise and Steve Seyfried, offers several two-actor, one-act plays geared toward folks of all ages while also offering creative dramatics programs for kids. The popular Film & TV Camps and Theatre Camps, held in July and August, teach basic theater skills and build confidence and self-esteem. This year’s plays are “The Wizard of Oz,” “The Emperor’s New Clothes” and “Puss in Boots.” The fun goes down at Epworth United Methodist Church in Rehoboth Beach.
SEA IT TO BELIEVE IT
It’s not an obvious location for a first-class museum, but the second floor of Sea Shell City in Fenwick Island is home to DiscoverSea Shipwreck Museum, established to recover and preserve our maritime heritage. Director Dale Clifton Jr. has been hard at work during the offseason replacing some of last year’s exhibits with new discoveries, such as a silver plate fused with pieces of eight and musket balls. Also new are findings from a 1715 Spanish treasure fleet, as well as artifacts from local shipwrecks. Another of the museum’s treasures is Clifton, who regales visitors with his stories and knowledge of maritime history.
Shopping
UNIQUE HOME FINDS
Find one-of-a-kind home furnishings ranging from mid-century to Danish modern at The Annex Marketplace. Looking to downsize? The Annex Marketplace offers downsizing assistance, estate buyouts and purchases, and full to partial home buyouts. Estimates are free, and its own crew of movers and packers can handle any job.
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Millsboro Bazaar is a great place to find costume |
BAZAAR(OH!) WORLD
Spend an afternoon exploring (and trying on) the fashions and costume jewelry of yesteryear at Millsboro Bazaar. The store also boasts a vast collection of antiques, glassware, china, and furniture, making it a one-stop shopping mecca for vintage enthusiasts.
SISTER, SISTER
Whether you’ve lost a loved one or need help with clutter, Sisters Bargain Cleanouts in New Castle can help. Services include estate sales and tag sales, estate buyouts, and cleanouts. Its resale store offers treasure hunters 8,000 square feet filled with furniture, collectibles, pottery, and more. Cash and credit cards accepted.
PAY CLOTHES ATTENTION
At both the Tower Hill Clothing Sale at Tower Hill School in Wilmington and the Friends Quaker Closet at Wilmington Friends School, parents donate or consign clean, quality items and volunteer their time in the shop. They are great places to find new or gently used men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, accessories and other fine items at unbelievable prices. Both are open weekly.
HOME AGAIN, HOME AGAIN
Take advantage of design consultation and home staging services at Delaware Furniture Exchange in Newark to create the perfect look for less for your home. Inventory, updated frequently, includes upscale resale furniture and home accent pieces. If you’re looking to make some room, ask about its consignment arrangement.
READY TO RIDE
Dover Saddlery offers a fine selection of English riding apparel, tack and horse care items. The one-stop shop in Hockessin has everything from riding boots and clothing for the popular equestrian look. Dover Saddlery’s experienced staff are ready to help customers—beginning riders, first-time horse owners and experienced equestrians—find what they need and answer any questions. Follow it facebook page to find sales and giveaways.
FASHION FORWARD
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The Passionista Fashion Truck is open for business. |
Step into the Passionista Fashion Truck, a mobile boutique filled with the hottest clothing and accessories, all for under $99. Owners Elizabeth Carter of Wilmington and Jena Baffone of North Wales, Pa., trek to New York City wholesale fashion shows twice a year to purchase items. The truck is often spotted parked outside the Delaware Furniture Exchange in Newark (owned by Jena) and has been seen at local wineries and nonprofits. You can book them for your next ladies’ night, or shop its online store.
SMELL THE ROSES
Newly opened Petal Pushers in the back of Trolley Square has something for everyone. With decades of experience, owner and designer Alexis Wirt Curtis not only does weddings, she is now offering gifts and grab-and-go flowers in her beautifully decorated shop. A relationship with Swigg in Independence Mall allows for private events with art, wine and flowers!
