March 2023 Newsletter
Updated: Mar 3
Photo: Keith Misener
Spring Is Here! Can you believe it? As we go to print, we are only a couple of weeks out from the first day of Spring 2023. Punxsutawney Phil emerged from his burrow, saw his shadow, and declared only six more weeks of winter. The Plunging Bears have done their thing (raising funds for Special Olympics of Delaware), and the Kansas City Chiefs have won Super Bowl LVII to the chagrin of The Birds, while Rihanna did not disappoint during the halftime show. Here in Rehoboth Beach, we are busily engaged in preparations for another Beach Season. Rehoboth Beach Main Street is working diligently to make it a spectacular year with the Cottage and Town Awards, the Gumbo and Margarita Crawls, and the ever-popular Oldies Dance and Community Unity Dinner. Meanwhile Rehoboth in Bloom is anxiously waiting to beautify our downtown business district with a cornucopia of colorful plantings to welcome all the residents and visitors to our piece of the DELMARVA peninsula. Our spotlighted businesses for this month include both old-time favorites as well as new restaurants to delight young and old alike. Beginning at the southwest corner of Wilmington Avenue and the Boardwalk, with a spectacular Ocean view, is Above the Dunes, a Seafood Forward restaurant serving everything from a raw bar and lobster rolls to hamburgers and flatbreads. Moving west to 14 Wilmington Avenue you will find Mariachi Restaurant, which has been serving great food and service since 2006. Using only the freshest food, they are renowned as one of the top Mexican restaurants at the beach. Moving west to 19 Wilmington Avenue is the locally owned Breakfast Guru Restaurant and Bar where they are serving recipes from around the world to help wake up your taste buds. An American café with vegetarian friendly and vegan options, they are serving breakfast, lunch, and brunch. Moving on to Rehoboth Avenue, be sure and stop in at Browseabout Books, 133 Rehoboth Avenue. In addition to having a large selection of books for all ages, they have games, children's toys, and a wonderful assortment of gifts for all occasions. While there you can also pick up magazines and daily newspapers for your reading enjoyment. If you're in the mood for Mediterranean Cuisine, then Aroma Mediterranean—a Turkish Middle Eastern-inspired restaurant that's unpretentious and super friendly, at 208 2nd Street in downtown Rehoboth—will fill the bill. You will leave with great memories and a taste for fabulous Mediterranean food ranging from succulent traditional mezes and kebabs, to stews and seafood that tempt the most varied palate. Spring is the perfect time to get outside, take a stroll in beautiful downtown Rehoboth Beach, and along the way have breakfast, lunch/brunch, or dinner. You will be glad you did! All these businesses are members of Rehoboth Beach Main Street, and you can read more specifics on each of them below in this issue of the RBMS Newsletter! Current and past issues of the newsletter are available on the RBMS Website at Newsletter | Home | Rehoboth Beach Main Street (downtownrb.com) New Businesses & Membership Renewals RBMS welcomes Beaches—The Green Truck Stop as a new member at the Green Partner level!
RBMS welcomes Sierra Moon Surf & Skate as a new member.
RBMS thanks Penny Lane Mall and Dos Locos for renewing at the Yellow Partner level!
RBMS thanks Sassy Chic and Rehoboth Ale House for renewing at the Green Partner level!
RBMS thanks these businesses for renewing as RBMS members!
Penny Lane Lighting
Gift of Serenity/The Olde Salt/Peace Frogs
Jewelstar
26 Ocean Gallery & More Rehoboth
Shining Sol Candle Company For information about levels and benefits of RBMS membership, go to Join | Rehoboth Beach Main Street (downtownrb.com) Showcasing Rehoboth Beach Businesses Above the Dunes Dan Slagle
Above The Dunes, at 101 S Boardwalk, 2nd Floor, is a “Seafood Forward” restaurant in Rehoboth Beach. They have everything from a raw bar and lobster rolls to hamburgers and flatbreads. Above the Dunes has become a perfect spot in Rehoboth to dine with an ocean view. It’s been said they are serving the best crab cakes in town: all lump and no filler. Try the homemade shrimp salad or one of many refreshing garden salads.
Pictured: Robert Frankis and Mike Venanzi
Above the Dunes is perfect for a trip off the beach or a fun relaxing dinner with family or friends. They have one of the largest selections of bourbons in town, as well as plenty of wines that pair perfectly with fresh salmon or a New York strip steak. Get there early to enjoy one of many ocean-front seats on the patio or by the window. Don’t miss the Happy Hour specials for the early birds at the bar! New lunch and dinner selections are being added to the menu, featuring stuffed lobster, stuffed flounder, braised ribs, and an expanded wine list. Call and book your private party—Above the Dunes is available for weddings, rehearsal dinners, and birthday parties. Phone: 302-226-2000. Mariachi Restaurant Peter Beck
An exciting highlight for me last year was a very special birthday party that was held in honor of one of my nicest and friendliest neighbors. It was an extremely significant birthday… I believe Medicare was involved. The party was held on an unusually warm Saturday night at Mariachi Restaurant, located at 14 Wilmington Avenue, just a half a block from the boardwalk. In addition to the spacious and cozy main dining room, Mariachi includes a wonderful party room on the second level. It was a perfect spot for thirty people to celebrate a birthday! Since Mariachi provides a full menu as well as bar services for guests, it is a fantastic space for weddings, corporate events, and of course, birthday parties! When everyone arrived, most people headed right to the bar to enjoy a variety of wonderful specialty drinks. The bartender was friendly and outgoing, and quite soon there was lots of fun conversation among the 30 guests at the party. Soon after, we sat down to a dinner of very generous platters that were overflowing with fabulous, fresh food: tasty quesadillas, tostones, platanos, burritos, enchiladas, chimichangas, and tamales were among the goodies that the diners enjoyed. Later on, of course, the birthday cake arrived, and everyone at the table shared stories and fun memories about the guest of honor! While Mariachi is an excellent location for a special event, the restaurant is open for the full dining experience for both lunch and dinner every day of the week. On both Saturday and Sunday, a tasty brunch is on the menu. And, if the weather is good, you can sit outside and enjoy the breeze on the patio or second floor porch! In the off season, Mariachi offers nightly specials such as fajitas on Thursdays and seafood specials on Fridays. Gift certificates are available, and you can also order food take out online. No matter what the event, you are sure to enjoy the fine Latin, Mexican, and Spanish food as well as the warm family atmosphere at Mariachi restaurant! Phone: 302-227-0115. Breakfast Guru Jim Mease
As part of my wintertime exercise routine, I have been walking our boardwalk in the morning with a group of fellow walkers. After our walk, we have been going to breakfast at one of our downtown restaurants. We have consistently found ourselves returning again and again to the Breakfast Guru, located at 19 Wilmington Avenue. Breakfast Guru has an extensive breakfast menu, which includes everything you might want as part of your morning meal made to your liking, with locally sourced products when available. Matthew always greets us at the door, and we are ably served by waitress Kim or Ani. All have always been very pleasant and accommodating to our table. The atmosphere in the dining room is very pleasant, and there is ample room for our party of four-to-eight guests. The coffee is always good, and over the weeks of this winter our table has been able to try many of the menu items offered for breakfast—ranging from pancakes, French toast, eggs of any style, breakfast burritos, and tacos. My personal favorites have been the shore breakfast, consisting of two eggs, two strips of applewood smoked bacon, house potatoes, and a choice of bread. The breakfast burrito is scrumptious and large enough to feed two. Others in our party have had the pancakes and French toast, to name a few of the menu items. Everything we have tried has been very well received. So, if you find yourself in need of a place for breakfast/brunch in downtown Rehoboth and want to wake up your taste buds, we highly recommend you try Breakfast Guru. Prices are very reasonable, and they are open daily from 7:00am until 1:00pm. Phone: 302-567-2829. Browseabout Books Peter Beck
As most of you know, it is always somewhat challenging to buy holiday presents for teenagers. For the last several years, I have copped out and taken the pressure off myself by purchasing my Goddaughters gift cards from Amazon. However, last year my oldest friend and his family relocated to the Delaware beaches from New Jersey; I thought what better way to welcome them by buying local instead of from a large conglomerate! Since both of my Goddaughters enjoy reading, especially fantasy and science fiction books, I knew that Browseabout Books would be a perfect fit! Browseabout has been a mainstay on Rehoboth Avenue since 1975. Open year-round, shoppers will find over 35,000 book titles as well as newspapers and magazines on the shelves! The store sells puzzles and games for people of all shapes and sizes and provides a wonderful gift area with a large selection of gifts for friends, family, or for self-indulgence! As well, the coffee bar serves fresh coffee that is among the best at the beach. Browseabout is well known as a great spot for special events. Authors of both local and national prestige have come to the shop to talk about their work, present ideas, and mingle with their readers. No matter what your interest area, you are sure to find a speaker scheduled who will provide you with a fascinating, entertaining experience. As well, Browseabout partners with the Lewes Library for fundraisers and promotes a book club that is held regularly at the library. Buying gift certificates for the girls at Browseabout was especially fun because the certificates are on paper! It was kind of nice to transact business the old-fashioned way, with the friendly salesperson writing out the certificates freehand. Be sure to stop in at Browseabout the next time you are in town. You are sure to enjoy your visit right in the center of town at 133 Rehoboth Avenue! Phone: 302-226-2665. A Taste of the Mediterranean at Aroma Colleen Evans
Aroma Restaurant, located at 208 2nd Street, celebrates the rich, bold flavors of the Mediterranean region—from the Italian countryside, the sunny isles of Greece, and the exotic landscapes of Turkey, Lebanon, and Morocco. “Our mission is to bring fresh and flavorful Mediterranean cuisine to our Rehoboth Beach community in a friendly, relaxing environment that turns a guest into a loyal fan,” says owner Mustafa Murat “Mike” Tan. “We combine authentic flavors from Italy, Turkey, Lebanon, and Greece—family recipes that have been developed from generation to generation. Aroma is devoted to bringing fresh quality food to our guests.” Mediterranean specialties are the focus of the extensive menu, which begins with an assortment of mezze served with steaming pita bread. Many of the appetizers are familiar and generous enough to share. There are bright green, falafel patties; garlicky and smooth hot hummus and pita; thick baba ghanoush, featuring smoky roasted eggplant; red lentil soup with authentic Turkish spices; and refreshing salads brimming with fresh cucumbers and tomatoes. Taking inspiration from the Mediterranean isles and seaside flavors, Aroma offers seafood dishes cooked with flavorful ingredients, including a stunning whole-grilled Branzino, a fresh Mediterranean fish grilled with lemon parsley sauce; almond-crusted whiting, seared crispy and served over hummus; and shrimp casserole with red peppers, mushrooms, and garlic, topped with melted cheese. For a centerpiece entrée, Aroma features an assortment of char-grilled meats on the menu. One of my husband’s favorite is the adana kebab, a hand-chopped lamb spiced with traditional Turkish flavors, fire-grilled on a skewer; a savory grilled kofte; a mix of fire-grilled lamb and beef meatballs; and the Aroma Special, which is a great way to try many of the restaurant’s specialties on one plate with a collection of fire-grilled lamb chops, chicken thigh, and adana kebab served with grilled tomatoes, peppers, sumac onions, and incredible fluffy rice. When I’m looking to have a meatless meal there are a variety of delicious vegetarian and vegan options available on both the appetizer and entrée menus, including a comforting dish of baby okra braised in fresh tomato sauce, onions, garlic, and Mediterranean spices. The dessert menu presents delightful treats home-made with the freshest ingredients. While I love desserts, I’ve never been a fan of baklava until I had Aroma’s. The baklava just melts in your mouth. It is sweet, but not too sweet, made with pistachios imported from Turkey. It is a nice balance to the flavorful spices of the main courses and a great way to end the meal. Also on the dessert menu is kunefe, a popular traditional Middle Eastern dessert, a rich and creamy rice pudding, and decadent chocolate cake. Aroma offers an extensive specialty cocktail and domestic and imported wine and beer list, all chosen to pair and enhance your dining experience along with authentic Turkish coffee, tea, and other beverages. A special weekend brunch menu is anticipated in the coming months. For more information and to make reservations, please visit aromarb.com or email/call at aromarehobothrb@gmail.com, phone: 302-212-2488. News from Rehoboth Beach Main Street Members Radio Rehoboth Holds a Successful Radiothon!
RBMS member Radio Rehoboth held a Radiothon on Saturday, February 18th—broadcasting from the RBMS offices, from 9:00am to 4:00pm. This all-day event was aimed at preserving the non-profit radio station that has been beaming local news and programming to Coastal Delaware for 4 years. The station’s on-air personalities—including Radio Rehoboth General Manager (and RBMS Communications Committee member) Jeff Balk, as well as Mike Zeeto, Peggy Raley, Bill Newcott, Dave Beacon, Tim Colfer, and Michael Sprouse—took turns at the microphones. Several Rehoboth-area VIPs were interviewed live, including Mayor Stan Mills, State Senator Russ Huxtable, and RBMS-founder Kathy McGuiness, as well as RBMS board members Jerry Filbin and Peter Pizzolongo. We are happy to report that the Radiothon was a success, thanks to funds provided by supporters from Coastal Delaware and beyond! Radio Rehoboth has now been able to return to regular programming. Check them out at 99.1FM on your radio or radiorehoboth.com on the Internet. It’s not too late to donate! You can make a tax-deductible donation via the Radio Rehoboth website, or mail a check to Radio Rehoboth, PO Box 50, Rehoboth Beach DE 19971. Also, in support for the station, RBMS is putting out a call for any in-town business that might have a small space available as a tax-deductible donation that would provide 99.1 with studio space. The requirements are pretty basic: accessibility, climate control, power, and the ability to hook up their own internet access and phone. If you think you may be able to provide a space, please reach out to Jeff Balk at Radio Rehoboth at 302-510-9000 or info@radiorehoboth.com. Off-Season Daily Specials Return to Rehoboth Beach Special thanks to RBMS member The Canalside Inn for again publishing the Off-Season Daily Specials in Downtown Rehoboth Beach! Come on out to enjoy a meal with an off-season discount! Off Season Rehoboth Beach Restaurant Deals (subscribepage.com) News from Rehoboth Beach Main Street RBMS Participates in DoMore24
DoMore24 is a 24-hour day of giving designed to help nonprofits raise more money. See Save the Date below. We Have a Job Opening! If you are passionate about downtown Rehoboth Beach and would like to work with an amazing team, don't hesitate to apply NOW for our Part-Time Coordinator position. Click or copy and paste the link (below) in your browser to see a detailed job description and what we are looking for in a candidate. Submit cover letter and resume, or if you have any questions, to Executive Director Dan Slagle at dan@downtownrb.com. Have a wonderful day and Good Luck! https://www.downtownrb.com/.../rbms-part-time-program... Upcoming Events
Two RBMS committees are busy planning events for the coming months. The Promotions Committee is getting ready for the April Gumbo Crawl, co-hosted with RBMS member the Purple Parrot Grill, and the June Margarita Crawl (a new event for RBMS to sponsor). The Design Committee / Rehoboth in Bloom is planning the popular Oldies Dance, which will take place in May. See the stories below for information about these events. Looking for something to do on March afternoon... Rehoboth Beach Then and Now—Take a self-guided walking tour on the Built Story mobile app! Tour takers can explore downtown Rehoboth Beach and learn about the 19th century religious summer camp, how the fires and storms shaped the community, the transformative impact of the railroad, and the illustrious citizens who made Rehoboth Beach what it is today. The app is available from either Android or iPhone app stores for free. The 15-stop tour of downtown focuses on how the city evolved from its 19th century roots as a rural community, the arrival of the summer religious camp in the 1870s, the arrival of the railroad, and the “battles” between the “saints and sinners” that influenced the later development of the community. The Built Story mobile app is free and tickets for each tour are $10.00. Tickets for individual tours are good for 30 days and may be viewed more than once. The Built Story app is also your gateway to other tours around the world. Half of the proceeds from this tour benefit Rehoboth Beach Main Street. For more information, call the RBMS office at 302-227-2772. Rehoboth in Bloom: Roundtable Discussion with Lewes in Bloom
Rehoboth in Bloom invited the Board of Lewes in Bloom to lunch for a roundtable discussion. On February 7, six folks from LIB and nine from RIB participated in a lively 1½ hour discussion. The participants had no trouble finding things to talk about! The LIB volunteers seemed as interested in hearing about RIB as we were about them. The Lewes and Rehoboth participants shared ideas and made plans to get the two full groups together for an event. Lewes in Bloom has been so gracious in sharing their knowledge with us, we can’t thank them enough. And a fabulous meal was had by all at the new Libations Room at Summerhouse!! Volunteer Recognition: Jill Dunham Jerry Filbin
Our March volunteer shout-out is for Jill Dunham, Rehoboth Beach Main Street’s Treasurer. Jill began as RBMS Assistant Treasurer in mid-2021, then succeeding Walt Cassel as the Treasurer at the end of 2021. She started with us as we faced the challenge of COVID and proved to be an essential part of the team. Jill and her partner, Kathy, came to Rehoboth Beach after Jill’s retirement in 2019 after 9 years at the National Gallery of Art, where she worked primarily on budgeting and operations. Prior to that, Jill worked 9 years in finance and accounting at the Federal Trade Commission supporting the Commission’s work implementing the Federal Consumer Protection Act. Jill is a graduate of Taylor University in Indiana and is a native Ohioan, growing up in both the Cincinnati and Toledo areas. After graduation, she worked for a small greeting card company, getting her introduction to general ledger accounting. This was followed by a move to Dallas working for a small CPA firm before her move to the Washington, DC area in 1986. She was also self-employed for a while as an accounting consultant. We are very grateful to have Jill as our treasurer, not only because of her experience and expertise, but in the last few years she has repeatedly demonstrated outstanding team skills and a commitment to our members and the greater community. Jill has been an essential part of our grant-writing efforts as well as an essential part of ensuring that our finances remain in order and bills are paid in a timely manner, as well as serving as a valuable resource for our committees and projects in planning and tracking their finances. Jill has the knack for translating financial information so that it is understandable. She is currently supporting the Board’s finance and audit subcommittee in the planning and implementation of our first independent financial review. Jill’s greatest asset to us is that she likes “working with people who are fun and have a passion for what they do.” She loves helping people and using her skills to keep us on firm financial ground so that we can continue to deliver the services we promise to the community. Thank you, Jill, for all that you do for RBMS! RBMS Board Establishes Development Committee
At its November 2022 meeting, the RBMS Board voted to establish a new committee for the now-six-committee structure of RBMS. The Committee is responsible for the development of an ongoing multi-year fundraising plan to ensure the long-term financial and institutional viability of RBMS. The Committee will work with RBMS staff, Board members, and volunteers to encourage and retain current supporters and attract new financial sustaining supporters of RBMS. The Development Committee is charged with developing and proposing plans and procedures to enhance fundraising efforts. The Committee will evaluate additional ways to make contributions and suggest needed investments and budget dollars to realize this enhancement and embed them into RBMS fundraising. Additionally, the Committee is responsible for the development of programs for RBMS Board members and volunteers to build fundraising skills and techniques, so they become comfortable developing long-term financial support relationships for RBMS. The Development Committee chair is Mark Hunker and the vice-chair is Jen Carroll. If you are interested in volunteering to serve as a member of the Development Committee—or any of the other five committees—contact Dan Slagle at 302-227-2772. Gumbo Crawl 2023
The 2023 Rehoboth Beach Gumbo Crawl will be held on Saturday, April 29th, 1:00pm–4:00pm. The Gumbo Crawl is co-hosted by the Purple Parrot Grill and RBMS. Skip breakfast on Saturday, April 29th, so you can be good and hungry for the 2023 edition of the Rehoboth Beach Gumbo Crawl! Fifteen area restaurants are participating in this year’s event.
Above the Dunes 101 S. Boardwalk Aqua 57 Baltimore Avenue Blackwall Hitch 52 Rehoboth Avenue Café Azafrán 18 Baltimore Avenue Cooter Brown’s 70 Rehoboth Avenue Dos Locos 208 Rehoboth Avenue The Federal 62A Rehoboth Avenue Freddie’s Beach Bar 3 South First Street Mariachi Restaurant 14 Wilmington Avenue Purple Parrot 134 Rehoboth Avenue Rehoboth Ale House 15 Wilmington Avenue Rigby’s Bar & Grill 404 Rehoboth Avenue The Pines 56 Baltimore Avenue Tiki Jac’s Street Eats & Brews 71 Rehoboth Avenue Zogg’s 1 Wilmington Avenue