Heading north on Route 1, THE MILL OUTLET (#1 Lighthouse Plaza, just north of K-Mart) seemed like a perfect stop on the way to Lewes. Having just settled in with my partner, there are still a few things we need to make the house complete, and the Mill Outlets got just about everything you can imagine for bedroom and bath. As weve been looking for a new shower curtain, I checked out the wall of them here and found them in everything from fun bargain plastic in colorful patterns to more elegant cloth. The rows and rows of beautiful area rugs in various shapes, textures and colors reminded me that I could use at least a half dozen for the hall, the entrance way, the bathroom, bedroom and more. We sure dont need sheets or towels, but if we did the huge selection here would certainly offer some winners. As I was browsing through the big variety of beach towels, I realized I had been humming that old TV jingle, "the look, the feel of cotton," but those were the only words I knew so I just kept singing them over and over until I had to run to the car and listen to the radio to get that tune out of my head!
So, on to Lewes. I was exhausted already and needed a little snack, so I stopped at A TASTE OF HEAVEN (115 Savannah at Second Street). Always on the lookout for those staples of a healthy diet, sugar and caffeine, I settled for a rich, moist banana walnut muffin and a cup of perfectly brewed coffee. Muffins, bagels, scones and a few sweet things like lemon bars were in the showcase for breakfast, but it looks like this place really shines for lunch. I thought well, hey, maybe I could just hang out here and drink coffee until lunch time. The place is festive, painted a variety of bold pinks, yellows and blues, there are watercolors on the wall for sale, they were playing great jazz so I finally got that damn cotton jingle out of my brain, and the lunch menu had my taste buds singing. The thought of a roasted portabello mushroom with chevre goat cheese and roasted garlic aioli served on sundried tomato and herb foccacia, or roasted eggplant and red pepper with smoked fresh mozzarella, basil, balsamic vinaigrette and garlic olive oil on french bread sounded yummy. But I had other places to see, so Ill definitely come back here for lunch another time.
Feeling refreshed and perky, I saw the OPEN flag waving at me from the restored Victorian that houses the newly opened SPLASH and RIO MINING COMPANY across the street (102 Second Street), so I went to check them out next.
As I walked up the steps I thanked God that Im so stupid I leave my VISA at every shop I use it in these days. At this moment I hadnt figured out quite which shop keeper had it, I just knew it wasnt me. Safe with the knowledge that I could do no financial damage to myself here, I continued on. The front porch was crammed with gorgeous, tasteful, colorful things...bold vibrant cotton rugs, big bowls, mirrors, frames and more. But when I walked into the front room of SPLASH, I was transformed into Eddie in one of my favorite scenes from Absolutely Fabulous, the one when her father dies and she goes to an art gallery to spend her inheritance. Waving her hand around annoyingly at her art collector guide, she says "I just want....everything, I want everything." And thats how I felt here.
I have never seen such an exquisite, fun, colorful, breathtaking (and affordable) collection of home decorating ideas and chachkas all in one place. I stood transfixed by the gurgling table fountains from Italy, the flower vases and bowls in wild shapes, colors and styles, wall clocks of checkered slate and many other decorative designs, teapots of crackled glaze shaped like rabbits, monkeys and frogs, painted canvas cone lamps with bold colors and geometric designs or muted palm leaves. So much texture and form here, from brushed aluminum wall vases to embroidered pillows, from urns and colorful deco bowls to gold framed mirrors, colorful soaps and creative candle holders and oil lamps. I adore frosted glass, and my favorite find here was a squarish vase of a beautiful burnt orange with flecks of color throughout, while frosted blue and green stripes danced around it. Painted cabinets and tables of varying designs and colors are everywhere, crammed with stuff you simply must have. A true standout was a round copper lamp with a shade made of hundreds of painstaking layers of shellacked mica. I am so in love with this shop I decided to register here for my first anniversary, which is coming up in mid-July. Anything from Splash will do. (We havent yet decided what the actual anniversary date is...I mean, which date do you pick, you know what I mean?)
When I peeked my head in RIO MINING COMPANY right next door I was overwhelmed by dazzling jewels. This shop is a smaller rendition of their Rehoboth Beach location at 17 North First Street. Rio Mining is a custom jewelry shop, so you can choose from the beautiful creations already in the showcase, or you can select gem stones from their stunning collection and have them create a custom piece just for you. No matter what you decide, it will be gorgeous. Rio Mining is ablaze with the blinding colors of precious and semi-precious jewels, by themselves or set in rings, necklaces, bracelets, pins, cufflinks, and just generally all around stunning merchandise. Joe Engers has been at his Rehoboth location for 12 years, and just opened the Lewes shop on Memorial Day. Its clear he loves his work, and his passion will captivate you as well.
My next stop was THE FIGUREHEAD (125 Second Street), a ladies boutique with what is described as Clothing with an attitude-not an age. I will admit, I was a little nervous going in here. Its true what they say, you know, that once youve done drag youll never pass a dress shop again without looking in the window and thinking, "How would I accessorize that?" Having survived a high heel race and a major drag birthday bash, I was afraid I would end up spending the afternoon here trying on tasteful but comfortable cotton smocks perfect for hot beach weather.
Actually, the birthday drag ball was a salute to the couture of the Eisenhower administration, the era in which I was born. Over a dozen friends gathered, shared beauty tips, got made up, dressed, and accessorized. In my shimmering floor-length mint green gown, with Lee press on nails, a double strand of chunky faux pearls with matching bracelet and clip ons, an upswept hair style appropriate for the times, and a simple clutch, I thought I looked divine. But when the awards were given out I did not win the coveted Miss Overall Outrageously Glamorous Award. I was voted Most Mamie Like. I know, and at my own party! So, I changed my look with big sunglasses, redder lips, and a huge wrap around scarf to give me a more sophisticated Jackie O/Sophia Loren look, and....but, I digress.
THE FIGUREHEAD is not only gorgeous, creative and fun, the owner and shopkeeper, Joan Kerkam, is a pure delight. She says her clothes are "definitely not tailored" and are on the artsy and unusual side; there are comfortable linen and cotton dresses, skirts, shorts, and just fun stuff to be comfortable in. Joan stocks everything from casual wear to beautiful sequined cocktail dresses, and if youre in a real bind she can even come up with a night gown, underwear and great novelty toothbrushes and razors. In her jewelry showcase is art jewelry, including bracelets made of safety pins, as well as fun bracelets, earrings, necklaces and pins. Around the shop are handmade novelty handbags shaped like a frog, a fish, a ladybug and more, as well as sandals, hats, bathing suits, even magnified reading glasses called Peepers, just in case you left your glasses at home. Joan also has a bargain room of clothes. This is her fifth year in business, her third at this location, and youre certain to find something fabulous to wear here. (I did!)
While youre on the way to the beach in Lewes, remember to stop in at LEWES LIGHTS (420 East Savannah Road, near the beach) for your beach chairs and other needed beach accessories, as well as gifts and souvenirs. Next door, at the DAILY MARKET, pick up lunch, beverages, the newspaper and the rest of your beach needs before heading out to catch those rays.
Unfortunately, I had to return home and get ready for my night job, so with one more stop to make yet I didnt have time on this visit to sample one of the fine restaurants in Lewes. Well get back to review them later this summer. For now, just know that KUPCHIKS (3 East Bay, on Lewes Beach) is famous for its Angus beef and fresh seafood. If its Italian youre craving, LA ROSA NEGRA (128 Second Street) features daily seafood specials, as well as a variety of chicken, veal, vegetarian and pasta entrees.
Back out on the highway, I made a quick stop at the FURNITURE GALLERY (1135 Highway 1, near Arbys at 5 Points). Im still looking for a few pieces of furniture for our place, and as I love painting my own stuff for that distinctive look, this is just the place for me. Rooms full of unfinished furniture here cover just about anything you can think of for home or office, adults or children, for every room of your house. They even have the paints and stains youll need to complete your own designs.
Now, if I could only get another part-time job so I could afford all the fabulous things I found on my tour!
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6/27/97 Issue. Copyright 1997 by CAMP Rehoboth, Inc. All rights reserved.