LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
Business Beat |
by Barry Becker |
Regular readers of this column know that every now and then Ill pick a business "theme" and write a column around it. Of course, sometimes I feel like a theme, sometimes I dont. We can just label this one Barry on another of his short-attention span days, rambling around town. I knew I wanted to explore something new, so I headed over to Penny Lane Mall between Rehoboth Avenue and Wilmington. There, I was seduced into CAF PAPILLON (42 Rehoboth Avenue) by the incredible aromas of all those French goodies being baked on the premises. You really can pretend youre in France here, not only with the aromas of baguettes, brioche, pastries and croissants wafting down the courtyard, but with the colorful flower boxes that adorn the glass showcase and the small picket-fence enclosed dining area under an awning, complete with ceiling fan and piped in light music. You feel like youre in a little French bistro. There are all the breakfast treats France is famous for, as well as lunch favorites such as ham and cheese croissants, sandwiches such as crab salad and shrimp salad, and a few salads. Caf Papillon is open daily at 8:00 a.m. As I was enjoying a croissant and coffee, I noticed right next door is MAGNET JUNCTION (5 Penny Lane Mall), which was purchased by Nancy and Kit (from The Pantry) on Memorial Day weekend. This small shop is a refrigerator magnet lovers dream, with magnets wall to wall, floor to ceiling, in every size, shape and dimension (and even some that make sounds). I would think there must be thousands of different magnets in here, covering every possible scenario and taste. You can spend hours in here! One of my favorite finds, sort of a mantra for the 90s: "We are all dysfunctional. Get over it." Also, there are prepackaged magnet collections in a 50s motif which are real gems, including the Heart Attack Plate and the Manly Man Magnets, "perfect for the well hung fridge," which include a big rocket blasting off, a fat cigar, a banana, and a bronze casting of the Washington Monument. While I was talking with Nancy, she also told me that THE PANTRY (First & Wilmington), known for its great breakfast, lunch, and lite fare menu, now has extended veggie selections, including a yummy sounding crunchy veggie wrap (veggies in a flour tortilla with cream cheese and crumbled blue cheese). They are continuing Monday Game Night for the summer, so head over there around 7:00 p.m. for a night of scrabble, trivial pursuit, or one of their many options from the shelf of games. Also, their cyber corner is also open. You can use one of two computers (with full internet access) for $7 an hour, or one of the laptops for $3.50 an hour. Once out of Magnet Junction I noticed that the fabulous TEMPEST FUGIT had opened a new spot in Penny Lane as well. The shop has trendy hot fashions for women, a sparkling showcase of great jewelry, and a few gift items, including Mehandi, a henna painting for your hands, feet or wrists. I guess people "in the know" needed no explanation of what this is, but my only response was "Huh? What?" You can buy a kit and do it yourself, or the staff will do it for you. Cool! Once I saw what a great job Janice Elder had done with that space, I decided to head over to Baltimore Avenue and check out their flagship store as well. On the way, however, I got sidetracked passing E.C. SHADES (62 Rehoboth Avenue). I headed in there to check out their collection of tons of cool sunglasses. Actually, I was told they have the greatest selection of sunglasses in the whole state, and I could believe that. In business for, oh, about 11 years now, this place knows its sunglasses. Looking at them all is always fun, but for me its always a little painful, too. Trust me, you dont know agony until youve lost a pair of $180 Revo sunglasses, but after a year Ive given up all hope that they will find their way home. It was one of those silly little luxuries I could afford prior to a life in retail, but now I can only afford something with blue glass that looks like it might be expensive. But I did get to visit all its gorgeous brothers and sisters in the showcase. Fortunately, E.C. Shades has glasses ranging from about $6 on sale to over $300, in every color, size and shape. E.C. SHADES carries loads of different brands, including Revo, Maui Jim, Giorgio Armani, Calvin Klein, Benson and Ashley, Ralph Lauren, Oakley, Versace, Timberland and many more. The knowledgeable staff here is personable and friendly, and will help you select the perfect shades that will make you look fabulous in a price range you can afford. Back out on the street I quickly ducked into the KENNEDY GALLERY (140 Rehoboth Avenue) to finally buy a print Ive been eying since last fall. Naturally, I found so many others I loved while I was there, I could have re-done my whole apartment. Finally I made it to TEMPEST FUGIT (48 Baltimore Avenue) where I met up with both Dave and Janice Elder in their very trendy and very hip store. You could be in here all day and not see everything, and all of its fabulous. Where to start? Well, just about everything here is kind of funky stuff with an ethnic flair, what Dave calls his "cowboy Buddha" look. Theres a fun decorative garden section, Mexican street art objects such as gorgeous mirrors made with recycled materials, Asian art, Indonesian mahogany furniture, Japanese ceramics, antique Moroccan pots, and handmade paper journals from Tibet. Some of my favorite finds were the exquisitely painted and crafted furniture from Texas. You simply must check out the jelly cabinet, and the cabinet right inside the door with its multi-colored striped panels. There are also candles, slice-your-own slabs of handmade soap in colorful and fragrant flavors such as Plum Crazy, Chocolate Coconut Cream, Key Lime pie, and more. The German painted beer steins are just divine, and come in cool big black cylinders, and the Oh My Goddess t-shirt is just too fun! Also check out anything made by Kimberly Willcox, from her hot jewelry to creative jewelry stands. Her fabulous place mats feature big grand faces with huge earrings that double as napkin holders. If you check out the sleek cool dresses and great jewelry, youll still be only part way through the store. Tempest Fugit is a must stop on any trip to Rehoboth. And speaking of trips to Rehoboth, dont forget to buy your tickets to the upcoming D.C. Gay Mens Chorus concert, Saturday, June 27. Tickets are going very quickly, and you wont want to miss a chance to be a part of this rare treat. Tickets are available at Lambda Rising and CAMP Rehoboth (both at 39 Baltimore Avenue) or by calling SCAC at 644-1090. I would really like this column to be more interactive this year, so if you have any business news you would like to see reported here, please give me a call at CAMP. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 8, No. 7, June 19, 1998. |