Boutiques are hot shopping spots at Maryland, Delaware beaches
Meg Ryan
Make sure to save some space in your suitcase for some local shopping when visiting Delmarva's beaches.
Various boutiques along the Delaware and Maryland coast offer a variety of apparel, accessories and gifts to locals and tourists alike. As the temperatures get warmer, the beaches get more crowded, and so do the shops along the way to the sand.
Shopping local is crucial for the boutiques to keep their doors open as online shopping and big box retailers take a lot of the business from individually run shops.
"You don't go on vacation to shop online," said Michiko Seto, Blooming Boutique owner.
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Seto's Blooming Boutique has five locations in Delaware including Lewes and Rehoboth Beach. Originally opened in 2006, Blooming Boutique offer customers clothing and accessories for all ages at all price ranges. The shops carry youth, plus-size and petite sizes, as well as made-to-order clothing.
Seto said she doesn't see supporting local retailers going away anytime soon as customers find items that are different from what they'd find online.
"It's boosting the local economy," said Sandy Farrel, Twila Farrel Distinctive Clothing and Accessories co-owner.
Twila Farrel Distinctive Clothing and Accessories opened in Lewes in 1988 and offers customers items they can't find easily anywhere else as a lot are from European and other international vendors, Farrel said.
Among the international brands is Naot Shoes from Israel and Pikolinos shoes from Spain.
Farrel said the boutique sells a variety of apparel, shoes, jewelry, hats and handbags, with the target age demographic ranging from the mid-30s to 80s. The price range runs from $30 to $100.
In Rehoboth Beach, Coral Cove offers a relaxing atmosphere while shopping high-end apparel, accessories, home decor and gifts. The boutique is heading into its fourth summer of being open and was originally owned by Mary Wells-Grant, who now works in the area at her interior design business.
Tai Camper took over the boutique in January 2017.
“(I'm) basically carrying the torch of what Mary created here,” said Camper, owner.
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Camper travels to New York for trade shows. Most of her apparel comes from New York and Los Angeles designers. She also heads to Atlanta for a home goods trade show to bring customers different decor items, including light fixtures and artwork.
But the boutique also carries local artists' work as well. Coral Cove appeals to various age ranges, Camper said, starting with customers in their 20s all the way to those in their 70s. While apparel prices start a bit higher, around $50, they are from high-end designers, customers can find other gifts and jewelry at lower price points.
“It’s very classic, it’s fashion forward, but it’s not overly trendy," Camper said of the boutique's merchandise.
Camper said the boutique is a part of a close-knit community of privately owned businesses in Rehoboth Beach. The support from the community helps Coral Cove stay open year-round.
In Ocean City, Ish Boutique is a one-stop shop for home, beauty, fashion, baby items and greeting cards, said Christina Lawson, owner. She opened the boutique in 2011 and aims to offer something for every age at every price range.
Lawson aims to stand out with her merchandise by looking for items at trade shows, Instagram and Etsy.
“Finding unique, cool lines no one really has to offer in Ocean City," she said of her buying process.
It's important to stay local because without the boutiques, there would be less to do in the local community, Lawson said.
“If you can come into and get something that’s really different, can’t find anywhere else, that’s super important," Lawson said.
On Twitter: @The_MegRyan
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Shop the boutiques
Coral Cove: 110 Rehoboth Ave #4 in Rehoboth Beach, Facebook.com/coralcoverehoboth
Ish Boutique: 3408 Coastal Hwy in Ocean City, Ishshop.com
Blooming Boutique: Multiple locations in Lewes, Rehoboth, Long Neck and Milford, Bloomingboutique.com
Twila Farrel Distinctive Clothing and Accessories: 122 2nd St. in Lewes, Twilafarrell.com