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John and Lania Peterson opened Painting
with a Twist in Lewes, where you can
paint and sip your favorite Pinot.
(Photo by Keith Mosher)
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When the sun dips behind the clouds or there’s a chill in the air, some serious retail therapy or a novel activity can help brighten a day at the beach. Here is a glimpse of a few of the stores and services that have debuted, moved or expanded over the past year.
Home attraction
New to downtown Lewes, Nook features home decor and gifts. Many have a purpose. The manufacturers benefit a charity in some way. You’ll also find items by local and international artisans, as well as yarn. Owner Riki Burton certainly knows the home market. She and her husband own Burton Custom Home Builders. (107 Market St., Lewes, 644-9665)
New homeowners or those who want to freshen a room’s look can find help at Threads for the Home, which features custom window treatments, pillows, bedding, shutters and blinds. The company has opened a showroom where you can browse and review. (16719 Coastal Hwy., Lewes, 644-7464)
In spring, Painting with a Twist opened to capitalize on the palette and palate craze—painting while sipping your favorite Pinot. There are regular classes and you can book private parties. (17723 Coastal Hwy., Lewes, 313-5769, paintingwithatwist.com/lewes)
Coral Cove, originally based in Lewes, has moved to a larger site in Rehoboth Beach, which allows the shop to expand beyond clothing and into furniture, home accessories, art and light fixtures. (You’ll still find jewelry, shoes and clothing.) (110 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 272-3725)
Funky Lady Fashion and Home Decor & Design has also moved to new digs. The shop “creates an inspiring haven oozing feminine spirit, style and creativity for fashion and home,” according to its Facebook page. (18977 Munchy Branch Road, No. 5, Rehoboth Beach, 212-2822, funkyladyfashion.com)
Scénique Art Gallery opened last season to showcase both well-known and lesser-known artists. (7 N. First St., Rehoboth Beach, 226-2787, scenique.net)
Outlet alerts
The Mile of Style between Lewes and Rehoboth is getting a redo. The more than 20-year-old Tanger Bayside and Tanger Seaside kicked off a total facade renovation to bring them in line with the newly renovated Tanger Surfside. The renovations should be complete by Thanksgiving. (Note that Tanger now has electric vehicle charging stations at Tanger Bayside, Seaside and Surfside.)
The outlet this past year became the new home of Bath & Body Works, which features products to scent the home and the body, including candles and fragrances. (34986 Midway Outlet Drive, Rehoboth Beach, 645-7926)
Also on the new side is Build-A-Bear in the Tanger Seaside Outlet. As the name implies, you create your own stuffed animal as a cuddly coastal souvenir. (36502 Seaside Outlet Drive, Rehoboth Beach, 864-9016, buildabear.com)
Prefer baubles over bears? Alex and Ani has also joined the Tanger Outlet so you can “stack” up on bracelets, rings, earrings and necklaces. (36494 Seaside Outlet Drive, No. 142D, Rehoboth Beach, 227-7360, alexandani.com)
For upscale luggage, take a trip to TUMI, which sells backpacks, totes, briefcases, wallets, duffels, garment bags and more. If you can carry it or wheel it, you’ll find it here. TUMI also sells outerwear and offers personalization services. (4986 Midway Outlet Drive, No. 110, Rehoboth Beach, 644-8271, tumi.com)
Because yoga mats are as popular as beach towels on the coast, Lululemon Athletica has become the go-to place for high-end yoga accessories and apparel since it opened just before Thanksgiving. There are items for women and men. (34986 Midway Outlet Drive, Rehoboth Beach, 644-2605, shop.lululemon.com)
Funky, fun & fashionable
Of course, no outlet center is complete without clothing—and lots of it. Newcomer Sperry sells clothing, shoes and accessories for men, women, kids and babies. (36445 Seaside Outlet Drive, Rehoboth Beach, 227-0120, sperry.com)
For ladies only, new stores include The Limited (36470 Seaside Outlet Drive, No. 1860S, Rehoboth Beach, 227-1845, thelimited.com); Francesca’s (36454 Seaside Outlet Drive, No. 1710, Rehoboth Beach, 227-2862, francescas.com); and Christopher & Banks (36470 Seaside Outlet Drive, No. 1820, Rehoboth Beach, 227-1543, christopherandbanks.com).
The outlets also have two new-ish shops that cater to the voluptuous woman, including Torrid, which sells trendy apparel, lingerie and accessories (36470 Seaside Outlet Drive, No. 1440, Rehoboth Beach, 227-3921, torrid.com). Also new is Talbots Woman (34986 Midway Outlet Drive, Rehoboth Beach, 313-0053, talbots.com).
For accessories, head to ECCO, which sells everyday and sports shoes, bags, wallets and belts. (36474 Seaside Outlet Drive, 1550, Rehoboth Beach, 227-4040, us.shop.ecco.com)
But why should the outlets have all the fun? In downtown Lewes, Shorebreak, a menswear store, has moved from Savannah Road to the old Beach Jetty Space on Second Street. (123 Second St., Lewes, 645-8488, shopshorebreak.com)
The Beach Jetty, which has gifts and apparel, is now in two adjacent stores on Market Street. (205 Second St., Lewes, 644-4608)
Stark Ravin’ Mad Boutique, “a random collection of necessary objects,” has joined the ranks of unusual finds in Rehoboth. There’s clothing for men and women, including vintage-inspired tank tops and funky jewelry. (9 First St., Rehoboth Beach, 212-5596)
On the move
For those whose therapy focuses on motion, here’s some good news. Last summer, Seagreen Bicycle opened a location in Lewes to service both ends of the Junction and Breakwater Trail. You can purchase a bike or rent one. You can also get your own bike serviced. (209 Monroe Ave., Lewes, 645-7008, seagreenbicycle.com)
Sea Barre Fitness has a new location in Tenley Court, where a second Matt’s Fish Camp has been under construction. Sea Barre combines the best of Pilates, yoga, and dance to create a bikini-worthy bod. (34410 Tenley Court, Lewes, 610-202-0518, seabarrefitness.com)
The over-50 crowd can find peace and calm at the Lewes Yoga and Meditation Center, where instructor Sue McCarthy adapts poses for any physical issues. The first class is free. (17605 Nassau Commons Blvd., Lewes, 245-6133, lewesyoga.com)
Gateway to gourmet, bargains & gas
The big news at the beach is the construction on Del. 1 near Jungle Jim’s. The new Rehoboth Gateway Shopping Center will house a new Wawa gas station, a Bed, Bath & Beyond store, and The Fresh Market, an upscale grocery store that has a Whole Foods attitude without the heavy organic emphasis and prepared foods. All planned to be open for the summer.
