One of my great pleasures this summer has been writing the Business Beat column. Ive not only met some colorful and friendly shopkeepers, but Ive been dazzled each week by the unique and exclusive merchandise found in downtown Rehoboth. But this weeks assignment has been my most daunting: how to do justice to the exquisite and eclectic mix of fabulous shops on Baltimore Avenue without taking up half of this issue. The only bigger challenge is where to begin shopping here. Well, lets just start at Second Street and work our way to the beach in our look at some of these great shops.
SOMETHING SPECIAL [#46] is just that. Most items here can only normally be found in gallery shops; actually, 90% of the wonderful selections are signed limited editions or one of a kind pieces. The amazing Murano art glass is one of my favorite finds here. Made in Italy, some pieces are solid glass block eggs with tropical fish and plants imbedded inside, the tropical blues and colors mesmerizing. There are also exquisite paperweights of flowers and tropical fish, and gorgeous bowls and other glass ware. The sculptor of the Vietnam Memorial statues, Frederick Hart, has works displayed here; of particular note is the hauntingly beautiful bronze fountain. Showcases of Hummel figures, Disney classic figures, Steinbach collectibles and Swarovski silver crystal create a sense of awe, while elsewhere in the shop are hand-crafted mosaic tables; gurgling, calming table fountains of slate, lava rock and bronze; dolphin sculptures; grand candle holders and huge bowls and vases; and bejeweled goose and ostrich egg art. Word of caution: its easy to be overwhelmed here, but there are gorgeous gift items beginning as low as $26, so please make sure to ask John or Anne to help you find the right piece for you. Outside theres a yard full of fabulous fountains and statuary, and as you head over the gold fish pond to explore them youll wind up at.....
GLASS FLAMINGO, a cool paradise of 50s decor and, of course, flamingos! And how many ways do Bill Sine and George Ehrmann serve their flamingos? Well, there are flamingo vases, clocks, mirrors, stools and stained glass lamps; there are flamingo windsocks, puppets, candles, note pads, and canes. Wooden flamingo mobiles hang from the ceiling, flamingo oils on canvas grace the walls, flamingo night lights are plugged into sockets, glass candleholders wrap flamingo necks around candles, and an iron flamingo and palm tree metal side table holds even more. Did I mention the 3-tiered flamingo bowls, towel bars, hand painted bottles, t-shirts, floor mats, coat racks and fabulous lacquered flamingo coat hangers? I didnt think so. My favorite find: the fabulous flamingo musical glitter dome. From $1.75 bookmarks to an $850 gorgeous stained glass lamp, everything in here is way fun!
Across the street [#47] is STUDIO WORKSHOP AND GALLERY, a colorful new addition to town which is not only a showcase for local artistic talents but an arts learning center where classes are offered in a wide number of art fields [for more details, see article on page 36]
Just off Baltimore is Mariners Square, a new line of shops which cut through to Rehoboth Avenue and the former site of the Strand Theater. Among the shops are Carla Boyntons EARTHLY WONDERS, relocated from Baltimore, where the scent of elegant soaps from France greet you inside the door. Carla has unique home accessories like stainless steel casual dinnerware from India, creative bud vases, cool mirrors, clocks, and framed artwork, frosted glass ware, an assortment of candles, and custom designed CD cases of solid wood. Theres pottery from Sweden, handmade scissors from India, and handmade paper products from Madagascar (writing paper, gift bags and picture frames). The unique card collection includes up-scale art cards that feature jewelry or a piece of art. The jewelry cases house a great mix of beautiful or whimsical pieces, from big dog pins and cat earrings to pins, necklaces, earrings and rings for a more refined taste.
Next door is CAPTAINS COTTAGE, LTD., which features a wide variety of decorative accessories for the home. Tables, desks, chairs, room dividing screens, mirrors, lamps, framed prints, a large old-fashioned globe on a floor stand, and embroidered pillows are but a few of the larger items for your home. Candles in square recycled glass votives are offered in a variety of sensual rain scents. There are thirsty coaster stones for your beverages, as well as bowls, pitchers, candleholders, recipe books, and magnetic note pads. Decorative bird houses hang in one corner, while a collection of wind chimes offer soothing music for the soul.
Back to Baltimore Avenue and into the CAMP Rehoboth courtyard itself is LAMBDA RISING [#39], now in its 6th year. With approximately 1,500 lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender book titles in stock (and access to all queer literature currently in print), as well as about 150 videos of films and hard to find film festival favorites, along with cards, shirts, gifts, CDs, and jewelry, LAMBDA is one of the queerest shops in town!
Next door is Peter Antolinis amazing GOURMET BY THE SEA [#37, reviewed May 16], a specialty food item shop with about 3,200 types of hard if not impossible to find gourmet foods. Check out the dozens of outrageous ways you can eat pasta, or try a new salsa, relish, syrup, mustard or oil. In August, Peter will feature special kits of Thai, Mexican and Indian food, which will include a cookbook and food items from his extensive collections from those regions of the world. If you love to cook and be creative with food, dont miss this place!
Across the street is EVERY WEAR [#36], formerly known as Boxers & Drawers. Now in its 10th season, owner Michael Saunders decided a name change was necessary to reflect his expanding line of merchandise. EVERY WEAR features great wear for resort (shorts, fun shirts, sweatshirts), swim (swimsuits by Speedo, Virgin Key West, Ritchie and more); active (club frocks and accessories for night life, including great glittery shirts from Greg Parry); and under (a great line-up of Calvin Klein and other festive underwear). The wildest find here.....gladiator boots and matching skirts when, I dont know, you feel like a little Roman!
At #33 are a row of three shops, beginning with CRITTER BEACH, which was reviewed in our last issue by a local team of pets (we hear they now have agents and are nervously pacing near their phones for their next assignment). CRITTER BEACH is chock full of treats not only for pets but pet lovers...from collars, clothes, and handpainted bowls to food and toys for your pets, as well as t-shirts, prints and gift items for you! Plus, you get to meet Tucker, the resident pet dog!
Next door is ALOHA! REHOBOTH, a theme-party throwers delight with grass skirts, leis of all colors, luau party favors, and strings of festive party lights. But ALOHA! is much more than a party store. Hawaii is the theme here, and over 80% of the merchandise is made there, including wildly colorful swimwear in Hawaiian florals, great shirts, even Aloha print ties. There are wall decorations from Hawaii, pineapple lamps, big colorful wall fans, and even jewelry like puka shell necklaces and festive earrings of fish and sea life. Books and videos tell you more about Hawaii; you can even enjoy Hawaiis valued Kona coffee or Kona blends, or one of the tropical tea assortments. Fun gift items include grass skirts for your Barbie collection, toy VWs and vans, and some hysterical key chains called Pocket Critters. About the size of a Silly Putty egg, they pop open to reveal dancing Hula girls or swimming fish. In the non-Hawaii department is the only poodle beach t-shirt Ive found so far this summer, as well as other colorful t-shirts, including the Just Bare It line, pocket t-shirts with a surprise in the pocket!
Then theres the glorious and aptly named ELEGANT SLUMMING, where Philip Livingstons 17 years experience on Philadelphias jewelry row is strikingly evident. The two chairs in front of the dazzling jewelry showcase invite you to sit and ponder your purchase, and you could oooh and ahhh a long time over this gorgeous collection before you decide which piece you cant live without. Philip also has one of the most beautiful and diverse collections of bracelets for men and women Ive found so far on my travels. But this is about a lot more than jewels. There are a few great antiques to make things interesting, like the 1895 Singer Sewing machine or the turn of the century mahogany American cupboard. A hand painted screen with head-sized flowers is a backdrop for one wall, while a large hand carved and hand painted sideboard sits opposite it with its front and drawers carved in a rich pattern of fruit and leaves. There are glazed pots and clay vessels of varying sizes, as well as chairs, vases, tiles, tables, custom designed pillows, unusual home accessories, hand carved and hand lacquered boxes from China, woven straw boxes, even a series of prints by Leedy of colorful whimsy.
At TRUE ESSENCE PERFUMES & AROMATHERAPY, [#29, reviewed May 30] Suparna will help you create your own fragrance for bath oils, soaps, colognes, perfumes and more from the nearly 600 fragrances available. You can match your favorite scent (like Chanel 5), or shell help you "create your own aura" with a signature fragrance of your own! Cool!
At STONE HEART [#29, reviewed July 11] is a scrumptious and often whimsical eclectic collection of fine arts and crafts....great stuff like colorful glassware, art, sculptures, picture frames, tables and colorful mobiles. Dont even think about overlooking the heart- stopping art of Brian Andreas. Thats all Ill say. Go check it out.
In the beach block is THE WOODEN INDIAN [#25, reviewed May 30], where there are "gifts of distinction" such as an extensive collection of Waterford crystal and Godiva chocolates. Theres also a mix of other gift items ranging from fragrances and soaps to lamps, picture frames, tea pots, cookbooks, prints and writing paper.
These synopses are meant to give you, gentle reader and spending vacationer, a brief glimpse of the shopping treasures of Rehoboth. But the stores reviewed here are chock full of delights, so talk to the shopkeepers (and tell them you saw their ad in Letters!) and remember to look up, down and all around while youre shopping, as there are fun finds tucked away all over these shops.
Well, this was exhausting! Im going to check out one of the restaurants or coffee houses on the Avenue for an icy beverage!
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7/25/97 Issue. Copyright 1997 by CAMP Rehoboth, Inc. All rights reserved.