Let’s Get This Party Started!

Hello my funny valentines! It’s great to have you back. There’s so much to catch up on so let’s get this party started!

Less than two months away is the 14th CAMP Rehoboth Women’s FEST and it’s going to be HUGE! This year’s fabulous lineup includes: two dance parties, country legend Chely Wright, comedienne Karen Williams, a bigger-than-ever Shopping Expo, phenomenal workshops, wedding fashion show, women’s photo and art show with wine reception, Broadwalk on the Boardwalk to benefit cancer research and so much more! Eating Rehoboth (culinary walking tours of downtown Rehoboth restaurants) is planning two exclusive tours in conjunction with the FEST, so don’t miss out! Mark your calendars for April 10-13 and get your tickets ASAP.

In addition to their Boardwalk location, Greene Turtle will open a second restaurant in the former Irish Eyes space on Rehoboth Avenue. A Brazilian restaurant will open in the Cloud 9 space with a focus on seafood. Blooming Boutique will expand into the vacated Del Sol space, and Dogfish Head will take over Finbar’s Pub & Grill right next door to their current digs. Kitschy Stitch is relocating to the former Jeff West space, and the Rehoboth Beach Running Company is moving to the shops below Cultured Pearl.

Over on Baltimore Avenue, I was thrilled to see that one of my favorite DC haunts is expanding to the beach! Miss Pixie’s by the Sea (furnishings and what not), will open in the former Josephine’s Daughter space. Can’t wait! Around the corner from Elegant Slumming will be a new ladies boutique called simply Dressed which plans to open in April 2014.

Heading out to Route 1, Crabby Dick’s will open another restaurant in the former Beachcomber space, calling it Buster Nutt’s. Fins opened a second location, Fins Ale House and Raw Bar, in the old Bonwich Café space, and it’s been packed every night. I highly recommend the new fried green tomato appetizer!

The two large buildings under construction behind Giant Foods will be a new four story office building and an additional facility for Brandywine Senior Living. Charcoal Grill will be another restaurant soon, but the place is still under wraps. A new PETCO is coming to the Superfresh shopping center (across from Midway theaters). 

In Lewes, Half Full will move from its current location into a larger space on Second Street. Just to the right of Striper Bites, a new fish market will open, offering fresh seafood to go, and prepared foods and salads for dining in.

The Rehoboth Foodie reports that Mike Clampitt, former chef at Baywood Greens in Millsboro has re-opened Po’Boys Creole & Fresh Catch in Milton; and, the Backyard (market, restaurant & bakery) is now open on Route 16.

Years ago, many of the restaurants and shops closed over the winter and reopened in late April or early May. Now it seems like businesses that close reopen mid-February, just in time for Valentine’s Day. The shops that do stay open year round have incredible sales this time of year, making Black Friday look lame in comparison. One of my faves, Pineapple Princess, currently has most of the items in the store marked down to 75% off. I LOVE this town!

Tickets are now on sale for Firefly, the huge music festival in Dover June 19-22. This year’s line-up features Outkast, Foo Fighters, Jack Johnson, Tegan and Sara, and more. 

2014 Delaware State Parks passes are now available, and speaking of nature, all the birders are a twitter about the snowy owl sightings in Delaware. The last time any were seen here was in 2005. Hoo knew?

Deb Griffin is a real estate agent living full time at the beach with her honey bunny, Greer, and two Jack Russell terrors. Email Deb Griffin