Maureen Botti, owner of Aquamarine at 114 in Lewes, entices shoppers with her eye-catching window displays.//Photo by Leslie Barbaro |
The Dogfish Inn in Lewes is across the street from the town’s dining and shopping district. |
Staycation
Editors, downstate: If your ideal vacation day begins with a sunrise kayak tour or yoga on a stand-up paddleboard, the Dogfish Inn is perfectly located a bike ride away from the Delaware Bay. It’s also across the road from Lewes’ dining and shopping district, an easy jaunt to the namesake brewery in Milton and a stone’s throw to Cape Henlopen State Park and a network of scenic multi-use trails. Contemporary, but still a throwback to the 1950s, kinda kitschy while still modern and comfortable, it has a vibe all its own.
105 Savannah Road, Lewes, 644-8292
Place to Take Your Out-of-Town Guests
Editors, downstate: For 25 years, the Biggs Museum of American Art has housed a remarkable collection of classic furniture and art gathered by the namesake himself. And it has hosted amazing exhibitions, such as “John James Audubon and His Influence Today,” which will open Aug. 4. A robust schedule of special events, such as a birding day at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge in conjunction with the Audubon exhibition, make it a center of the community. Schedule your visits accordingly.
406 Federal St., Dover, 674-2111
Tattoo Artist/Shop
Readers, downstate: Tough Luck Tattoo
17728 Coastal Hwy., Lewes, 644-8001
TV Personality
Readers, downstate: Jimmy Hoppa at WBOC
Dover, 734-9626
FOR THE BRIDE-TO-BE
Bridal Boutique
Readers, downstate: Brides 2 Be by Hope Mitchell
19160 Coastal Hwy., Rehoboth Beach, 645-2485
Gifts for the Bride-to-be
Readers, downstate: The Wooden Indian Ltd.
25 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 227-8331
Wedding Planner
Readers, downstate: Elevee Events
204 Bayard Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 212-2112
Wedding Reception Site
Readers, downstate: The Clubhouse at Baywood
33267 E. Clubhouse Way, Long Neck, 947-9800
FASHIONABLE FIRST STATE
Consignment
Readers, downstate: Christine’s Consignments
200A Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 226-1126; 42 Atlantic Ave., Ocean View, 829-1425
Kids’ Clothes
Readers, downstate: Kids’ Ketch
132 Second St., Lewes, 645-8448
Lingerie, Intimate Apparel
Readers, downstate: Something Comfortable
122 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 227-6180
Men’s Business Attire
Readers, downstate: Carltons
31 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 227-7990
Men’s Casual Clothing
Readers, downstate: Carltons
31 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 227-7990
Women’s Business Attire
Readers, downstate: Carltons
31 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 227-7990
Women’s Casual Clothing
Readers, downstate (tie): Blooming Boutique • 107 Second St., Lewes, 644-4052; 102 Savannah Road, Lewes, 645-7479; 216B Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 226-1900; Silicato Drive, Millsboro, 945-5700; 33A N. Walnut St., Milford, 422-8540 • The Loocke • 123 W. Loockerman St., Dover, 241-2023
Women’s Evening Attire
Readers, downstate: Carltons
31 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 227-7990
HOMESTYLE
Furniture and Home Accessories
Readers, downstate: Johnny Janosik World of Furniture
4719 S. Dupont Hwy., Dover, 697-7799; 11151 Trussum Pond Road, Laurel, 875-5955
Garden Center
Readers, downstate: East Coast Garden Center
30366 Cordrey Road, Millsboro, 945-3489
Landscaper
Readers, downstate: RSC Landscaping
30366 Cordrey Road, Millsboro, 945-5853
New Home Store
Editors, downstate: Mix clothing, art, furniture and decor all in one massive space and you get The Brush Factory on Kings, a shopper’s delight. The mercantile shop houses nearly 50 vendors that sell new and vintage goods. Vendors include Kam Productions handmade art and apparel, Indigo Bleu women’s fashions, ReDone home decor, and Beached & Rescued body, hair and skin products. We defy you to leave empty-handed.
830 Kings Hwy., Lewes, 745-2229
LOOKING GOOD
Day Spa
Readers, downstate: Bad Hair Day?
20 Lake Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 227-4247
Gym/Fitness Studio
Readers, downstate: RISE Fitness + Adventure
35770 Airport Road, Rehoboth Beach, 567-2112
Kim Aigle and her mother handcraft clean and simple artisan skincare products at Suds & Company in Dover.//Photo by Leslie Barbaro |
Organic Beauty Products
Editors, downstate: Suds & Company is much more than mere soap. Chemist Kim Aigle and her mother, Aggie, handcraft clean, simple and honest artisan skincare products that include body butters, oils, beard oils and soy candles from natural ingredients such as coconut oil and shea butter—ideal for dry, sensitive skin. Best of all, everything is affordable (prices range from $6.50 to $22).
31 W. Loockerman St., Dover, 674-1303
Salon for Women
Readers, downstate: Bad Hair Day?
20 Lake Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 227-4247
Salon-Barber for Men
Readers, downstate: Bad Hair Day?
20 Lake Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 227-4247
MORE RETAIL FUN
Antiques Shop
Readers, downstate: Antique Alley of Bridgeville
18208 Sussex Hwy., Bridgeville, 337-3137
Art Gallery
Readers, downstate: Kevin Fleming Photography
239 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 227-4994
Florist
Readers, downstate: Jen-Mor Florist
2109 S. Dupont Hwy., Dover, 697-3273
Gift Store
Readers, downstate: The Wooden Indian Ltd.
25 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 227-8331
Pet Store
Readers, downstate: Concord Pet Foods & Supplies
15 S. Dupont Hwy., Dover, 672-9494; 135 Aerenson Drive, Milford, 424-8373; 26209 John J Williams Hwy., Millsboro, 945-2113; 19287 Miller Road, Rehoboth Beach, 226-2300; 22836 Sussex Hwy., Seaford, 628-1001; 599 Jimmy Drive, Smyrna, 653-1515
Surf Shop
Editors, downstate: Here’s a little secret: Surf shops are hidden gems for those looking to score chic summer styles. Case in point: Sierra Moon Surf & Skate has some of the coolest clothing, kicks and accessories on the avenue, including a selection of tees by Jetty Apparel Co., easy-breezy Roxy and Billabong sweaters, dresses and bikinis, and plenty of sandals and sneakers. Of course, there is a range of skateboards by Sector 9 and floaty surfboards that are perfect for small summer waves.
16 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 227-3622
Toy Store
Readers, downstate: Kids’ Ketch
132 Second St., Lewes, 645-8448
Window Display
Editors, downstate: Maureen Botti admits to being a bit of an insomniac. Ideas for her wildly vivid displays at Aquamarine at 114 usually come to her at 3 a.m. During the holidays, she decked out the store windows for “The Twelve Days of Christmas” disguising a new mannequin as a milkmaid, a lady dancing—even a swan—every day. For Valentine’s Day, friends, family and customers wrote about serious—and silly—things they love on multicolored Post-its, which she then arranged into hearts for passers-by to read and admire. (“I love vodka!” read one.) The result: Botti’s favorite window in years.
114 Second St., Lewes, 644-4550