Ever notice how many thrift or consignment/collectable shops are scattered throughout Rehoboth, Lewes, and Milton? What is the difference, anyway? A quick “Google” explains that the “key difference is that thrift stores usually stock their shelves with secondhand items that have been donated to the store, whereas consignment stores sell secondhand items on behalf of the original owner, who then receives a share of the sale price when a customer later.”
A good example of the latter is The Mercantile on Union Street in the heart of Milton. It is a collective of over 50 vendors under one roof including artists, jewelry makers, crafts people, antique dealers, furniture, and those who sell unique items for the home.
Another example is The Brush Factory on King’s Highway in Lewes. Vendor stalls are a mixture of new merchandise and old and items tend to be somewhat upscale.
Thrift stores abound in the area. The Parish Thrift Shop at Midway and the All-Saints Thrift Shop on Rehoboth’s Forgotten Mile (behind the Rehoboth Auto Center) are affiliated with the Episcopal Parrish of All Saints and St George’s Chapel. The Midway location is housed in the space previously occupied by the Beebe Thrift Shop called Treasure Chest and it positions itself as featuring “upscale” thrift shop merchandise. Revenues from sales help fund local homeless shelters, animal organizations and other worthy community-based programs.
The New Life Thrift Shop behind Bethany Blues and Jiffy Lube is run by the Lewes Rehoboth Coalition of Congregations. It allocates proceeds to a diverse list of recipients including the Baby Pantry, the Cape Henlopen Food Basket, and Meals on Wheels.
Like the All Saints thrift shops, New Life is similar in terms of inventory selection – plenty of furniture, household goods, electronic gadgets, books, jigsaw puzzles, CDs, shoes, and clothing, a combination found at many shops. Plus, it houses an entire room dedicated to Christmas decorations. and a collection of medical apparatus such as walkers, wheelchairs, and toilet seat enhancers, some of which they loan out free. Unfinished Business, tucked away next to a storage building behind Panera Bread, allocates proceeds to a wide range of community organizations.
The American Veterans Thrifts Shops in Rehoboth on Rt 24 and Lewes in Tenley Square are affiliated with the AMVETS Service Foundation. Proceeds from the two American Veterans Thrift Shops in the area cater to military vets.
Other nearby shops include the ReStore/Habitat for Humanity on Rt 9, and God’s Way, located on Coastal Highway near the CVS.
If you are looking to purge and/or downsize, each shop has a drop off area and most shops will pick up/deliver bulkier, heavier furniture that cannot be transported easily in a car. Pick up days vary so it is best to contact the individual shops for details. It is best to contact each store for specific details on purchasing hours and drop off/pick up policies.
If you’re looking to save money, thrift shops are a good choice. You can save up to 80 percent on clothing and household items and even more on books.
By Mary Jo Tarallo, Resident Journalist
Mary Jo Tarallo spent much of her career in public relations with various non-profits and spent 40 years involved with the ski industry as a journalist, public relations director for a national trade association and as executive director of the Learn to Ski and Snowboard initiative. Prior to her ski industry involvement she worked for the Maryland International Center in Baltimore and United Way of Central Maryland. She won a Gold Award for TV programming for a United Way simulcast that starred Oprah Winfrey. She has been cited for her work by numerous organizations. Mary Jo grew up in Baltimore, attended the University of Maryland and Towson University, lived in Washington, DC for 21 years and has been a full time resident of Rehoboth Beach and Milton since May 2019.
Skip to content