by Barry Becker
By my estimation I have visited and reviewed more than 60 businesses in Rehoboth, Lewes, and surrounding areas since Memorial Day, and what a joy its been. This area is full of exquisite and exclusive shops and accommodations to keep even the most finicky vacationer happy, and Ive met so many wonderful people along the way. As the summer season begins its wind-down, this column is dedicated to some of my favorite summer shopping finds.
And remember dear, dear vacationer, Rehoboth doesnt close up after Labor Day. Most businesses and B & Bs are open all year long. In the next issue Ill provide a convenient clip and save column of whos open and when for your post-season visits.
Many businesses are mentioned in this particular column, and for reasons of space I have not given anyones address, as I normally do. As Ive saidat least 736 times this summer at my fabulous retail job"Please consult the business map in the center spread of LETTERS" to find the addresses and phone numbers.
And now, these are a few of my favorite things (Ive also learned, like Julie Andrews, to love whiskers on kittens this summer, but thats another story entirely)......listening to calming, nature-inspired music at the listening booths at DOLPHIN DREAMING....shaking the musical flamingo glitter dome at GLASS FLAMINGO... eating two orders of Dynamite rolls at CULTURED PEARL.... trying to pick out a new watch from the big showcase at L.A. CONNECTION... the gladiator boots and skirt at EVERY WEAR... dont even make me choose at ABIZAKsjust everything. OK, the acrobat spot lights. No, the table fountains. Wait, theres a really cool coffee table...
At SOMETHING SPECIAL, its that glorious and hauntingly beautiful Frederick Hart fountain... the generosity of HOLLAND JEWELERS, which is selling 14k gold AIDS ribbon pins for $99 and donating $50 of the sale to SCAC... the friendly service and warm smiles from Kathy and all her team at the REHOBOTH PHARMACY (except, Kathy, for the first time in over a year you forgot to put a candy in my prescription refill bag last time. I know, its the summer crowds and all. You can just put two in next month!)... eating waffles with berries and whipped cream on a rainy Sunday morning at DREAM CAFE ( it goes without saying that theres a muffin and/or cinnamon roll appetizer involved here as well)... getting some incredibly fresh swordfish or other seafood from REHOBOTH SEAFOOD... standing in the middle of BEAR ON THE BEACH and clapping my hands to make the interactive stuffed duck quack and the bears snore to sleep... the dancing hula girl Pocket Critters key chain at ALOHA! REHOBOTH.
Then theres pretending to be an artist at CREATABLE CRAFTS and creating my own dazzling glazed pottery pieces... eating a fresh roasted turkey sandwich on herb bread with mayo and honeycup mustard with fresh tomatoes at LORIS OY VEY CAFE.... so much to choose from, but the copper lamps with mica shades at SPLASH....a white avalanche and chocolate croissant from COFFEE MILL... the Brian Andreas art, no the wild clocks made of dryer lint, no the mermaid razor... yes, thats it at STONE HEART.... all those vibrant gemstones and minerals at INSIGHT, the beautiful custom glassware, and the cool indoor goldfish pond... opening the door to EARTHLY WONDERS and smelling those lusciously fragrant French soaps, and also enjoying the beautiful sunflower and exotic flower bouquets in the window from BAYBERRY FLOWERS.
Its not just all those queer books, videos, CDs, and gifts at LAMBDA RISING thats so great, its the joy of working with Babo for the past 15 months. Thanks for creating the most nurturing, caring and fun work environment Ive ever been in! Love you!.....at GREENHORN, its a comfortable True Grit shirts from the great West, especially the one with the pine tree and leaf motif that makes me feel like Im in my beloved mountains... the great bagel selection and deli counter at PIERRES PANTRY... the gorgeous lamp collection at TIDELINE GALLERY, particularly the copper and brushed aluminum one by Janna Ugone... the stunning black framed floor screen at ATLANTIC COLOR LAB that holds 15 8 x 10 photos... what a backdrop!
SGT. PEPPER is another of my dilemma stores....how to choose in here?? I love the wall of army surplus duffel bags in every size, but then theres the rack of insignia bowling lane shirts with names on them that are just so over the top. I was going to get the one with "Ruth" on it but decided it would only confuse people more than I normally do, but then theres also the coolest shoes in town and I havent even mentioned the best part yet....the prices!! You decide.
Then theres the stuffed salmon the BANKING HOUSE INN RESTAURANT, the glittering showcases of custom designed jewelry at RIO MINING, and the "please dont stop" massages from GREG MYERS and those wonderful, nurturing women at the REHOBOTH HOLISTIC CENTER.
Just saying good morning to Peter Antolini rocking on the big front porch of his GOURMET BY THE SEA is part of what makes my morning routine so special... and waving to Gabby Beel through the big picture window as he works magic into the arrangements at GABBYS SOUTH PACIFIC.... of course, theres always a savory salmon special at PLANET X to enjoy on their cool blue front porch... in the art world, I adore the print entitled "The Night of 101 Cats" at KENNEDY GALLERY, along with the serene "Blue Table," the whimsical "Exhibition and Fish Sculpture," the hilarious Lisa Grubb series (Happy Dog, Happy Cat, etc.) and the beautiful ceramic art tile collection....did I mention that heart-stopping showcase of jewels at ELEGANT SLUMMING? Philip, how do you expect me to highlight just one fabulous thing in here??
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8/22/97 Issue. Copyright 1997 by CAMP Rehoboth, Inc. All rights reserved.