by Barry Becker
A month ago in this column I stated an obvious fact, that there are so many cool things in Rehoboth they couldnt all be squeezed into one column. So, as promised, heres our second installation focusing on the word cool as it relates to Rehoboth. This time I decided to plan a cool day in town, so lets go!
First stop, ABIZAKs (208 Rehoboth Avenue), whose ads proclaim "cool contemporary stuff." You know when youre greeted right inside the door with 8 table fountains gurgling and singing their welcome that youve indeed found a cool place. Abizaks is so beyond cool it redefines cool.... no, actually I dont think theres a word to capture its fabulousness. Lets start with the furniture. For the living room there are wild sofas with styles from the past, an undertone of 50s but with a modern twist and modern fabrics. Some look like ones the Jetsons might have had. There are tables and chairs for every occasion, wonderful bed frames, coffee tables, and even a desk or two for your home office. Overstuffed chairs invite you to sit and envelop you with comfort, sleek aluminum rockers glide; I was having such sensory overload I had to sit and take it all in.
Luckily I landed in a soul-calming leather rocker, where I took note of the great wall hangings, like the Looney Tunes 3-D metal art, the unique clocks, and dozens of mirrors with really cool frames. Need lighting? Cool lamps for your end tables, the floor, even overhead ones with acrobats on wire holding spotlights. Boxy paper accent lamps are shaped like a red snarling dog, a cow, a heart or a fish. From the ceiling hang dozens of cool things like bold colorful lacquered clowns flying with balloon bouquets, mobiles, and whimsical Flying Circus figurines (check out the Fun Business Fish). For the kitchen theres a wall of cool kitchen gadgets, for the bath there are wildly cool hardware and accouterments as well as a sensual variety of aromatherapy products and even designer toothbrushes. And everywhere are fun things you must have for your home, like frosted glass votive candle holders shaped like TV sets, ceramic chip and dip bowls that are designed like hot tubs or swimming pools, oil lamps, books, bowls....all I can say is when I die and go to heaven, I can only hope its furnished by Abizaks! And, as corporate sponsors of Sundance 97, the friendly and smiling John and Pam gave me a sneak preview of their contribution to this years auction, and it is so over the top you better start saving your money now because it will just make you scream "I MUST HAVE THIS!"
My visit to Abizaks was so overwhelming I needed an icy beverage and something sweet to keep me going. How about a stop at COFFEE MILL, I asked myself. (127 B Rehoboth Mews). So many selections here! There are Ice Rage drinks (ice blended vanilla, mocha, or coffee flavor beverages), frosted lattes, blended frozen drinks like white mochas, white avalanches and orange creme-sicles. There are about 2 dozen flavors for Italian sodas; ask about the French sodas as well. There are also protein shakes and a variety of iced teas and fresh squeezed lemonade. Steve tells me most people find these drinks sweet and filling enough that they dont order one of the outrageous selections from his pastry counter to enjoy with them, but not being "most people" I order a frozen white avalanche and a chocolate filled chocolate drizzled croissant. YUM!!
So, on to more shopping. Over at THE EDGE (1st & Wilmington) I found a good selection of casual summer wear for guys and girls....shorts, jeans, shoes, caps, t-shirts and sport shirts, summer frocks galore, and......wool sweaters???? Is it that time already?
While I was in the neighborhood I thought I would also check in on Bill Seivert, as the name of his shop just demanded to be included here, FEVER: WAY PAST COOL (23 Penny Lane). I saw sale signs up on the door and the word "closing" but I just interpreted that to mean for the winter (yes, I can be dense sometimes) but once inside Bill told me the horrible news that after 13 years, Fever was indeed closing its doors. I was distraught, numb, sad......this was not cool. The sign behind the counter announced that "the market for mens clothing has changed. Fewer people are willing to pay full price for clothing." And, for too little money and too much stress, Bill decided to call it a wrap for now. Not that hes leaving...SPLASH is doing well in its new location in Lewes, and Bill just finished a book on his 3,500 button collection on activism which will be out this fall (more on that in a later edition). For now, all the clothes, shoes, watches...everything....is 20% off, and Bill expects to be closed by late October. Good luck, Bill! Well certainly miss you and your fabulous store.
Now I was very upset. The day was no longer cool. What could I do to save it? I looked across the street and saw CAF TERIA (12 Wilmington Avenue) and headed there. I love sitting on their big front porch to feel the cool ocean breezes, and it seemed just the ticket to revive my spirits. On the menu were Cool Sand-witches, so I ordered Pammies Miami Hammie, an overstuffed ham and honey mustard delight, along with fresh brewed iced tea. The breezes were fabulous, the food good, but this wasnt working. What next?
When in distress, shop. I headed over to ATLANTIC COLOR LAB (Village by the Sea) known not only for their 1-hour photo service but for their colorful and extensive picture frame collection. And their old photo cards are a riot! Maybe I could do some work on the Kodak enlargement center, where you can touch up photos, enlarge them, or zoom in on one area of an existing photo and create a new one. But I suddenly wasnt in the mood to make things look bigger than they are. Maybe a new hair do would work.
On to ROBERT THOMAS HAIR SALON (26 Baltimore Avenue) for a little buzz cut and.....wait, what are these darling little colorful bottles on display? Yes, if you havent figured it out by now its all color and design for me, and this new line of Alterna bio-active hair care products is just too adorable! The bottles are all different sizes and shapes, and in the bold colors of the rainbow! Cool! And while I was getting my hair cut that little light bulb went off over my head and I knew how I was going to save this cool day. It was a plan of action....a twilight picnic on the beach!
First, across the street to the WOODEN INDIAN (25 Baltimore Avenue) for a box of Godiva chocolates for a little something sweet, then up to GOURMET BY THE SEA (37 Baltimore Avenue) for some veal, tarragon and pinenut pate, along with great crackers. Then, on to EARTHLY WONDERS (137 Rehoboth Avenue) to pick up one of the stainless steel tiffins, a stackable series of tins with a handle used to carry food in many parts of the world, which would serve as our picnic basket. A quick call to CULTURED PEARL (19 Wilmington Avenue) ordered some of my favorite sushi items to start filling the tiffin. Next, I called REHOBOTH SEAFOOD (4131 Highway One) and placed an order for steamed shrimp. When I picked up the shrimp I also bought broccoli salad, smoked salmon, and some fresh baked french bread. They also have an unbeatable selection of fresh fish and seafood of all kinds...and check out the rest of their extensive take-out menu while youre there!
Out on Route 1, me and mein Deutsche lieber Mann (in my rough German that translates to "my German lover man," although for all I know it could mean something very different) headed south to Delaware Seashore State Park, just south of Dewey. With a feast before us, the tide lapping in, dolphins frolicking in the surf, and that crisp light when night is falling, this was the perfect way to end the day and be reminded just how big and glorious life can be.
When the sky behind us turned to deep pink marble, we headed back into town for a nightcap at LORIS OY VEY CAFE (39 Baltimore Avenue). Cool-down selections here include a luscious fruit smoothie blended to perfection by smoothie meistress Raney, with crushed ice, OJ, a selection of juicy fresh fruit, and the all important whipped cream. Theyre great with one of her award winning desserts, too!
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8/8/97 Issue. Copyright 1997 by CAMP Rehoboth, Inc. All rights reserved.