“Business in downtown Rehoboth was not as good as before the Streetscape project,” said Carol Everhart, CEO of the Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce. “It’s not as bad as it could be, but as a whole, it was not enough to make up for last year’s losses. Businesses had a strong fall and they needed a strong holiday season and it wasn’t quite there.”

Business owners, anxious about the expanded schedule of the Streetscape Project, voiced opposition at the city commissioners meeting, Dec. 15. Construction on the first two blocks of the Avenue will begin in mid-January and continue through April 30. The proposed schedule puts the first two blocks under construction for three winter seasons, and stretches construction one year beyond original plans.

David Elder, owner of the Tempest Fugit in Rehoboth Beach, puts a positive spin on the situation.

“I am responsible for the success of my business,” said Elder. “That is one of my operating principles. Is it true that nothing outside of my business affects it? Probably not. But if I allow myself to become a victim of outside circumstances, I degrade my ability to control my life. This project had to be done; there was no question.

“We may hurt a little for a few years, but I will benefit from the beauty of downtown Rehoboth for the next 25 years.”

Elder has owned Tempest Fugit for 17 years and has been part of the year-round business community for the last 10 years.

“Compared to previous years this holiday season was strong and steady,” said Elder. “With the increase of home construction and condominiums more and more people are becoming year-round residents. The snow wiped us out one weekend, but that’s a small downside. I think more and more people are choosing to come to the seashore for the holidays. They come for the small, hometown feel and the nice vibration. The seashore is the place to be.”

Gary Turton, owner of Dolphin Dreaming on the second block of Rehoboth Avenue, reported his holiday season was a little slower than last year, but said the weather seemed to have a larger impact than the construction in the first two blocks of the Avenue.

“The lanes have remained open the whole time and traffic is moving,” said Turton. “I think it had little to no affect on my business. I’m a little nervous about when the construction moves in front of my store, but it’s not like January and February are the greatest months. I hear there is talk of having construction during the fall of one of the years. It would be crazy if that happened.”

Rose Garden, a women’s apparel store in the first block, reported steady sales for the holiday season.

“Sales have been good,” said general manager Andrea Forte. “Really good considering the construction. We are not looking forward to the construction moving up here We’re probably going to close during the week when it does, but it’s hard to say. I hope it doesn’t hurt us too much more.”

Jaime Fuqua, who has owned the Lounging Lizard for two years, reported his sales for the winter season are slightly lower than last year’s.

The restaurant business traditionally takes a hit in the holiday season according to owner of Espuma Kevin Reading.

“I attribute it to a lot of people shopping and going to Christmas parties. People have a lot on their plates,” said Reading. “I haven’t looked at our restaurant numbers, but I’m pretty sure they were down. Our catering remained strong. We had a lot of people saying, ‘Can you make me a tray of goat cheese, stuffed mushrooms?’ It seemed like we were doing platter after platter after platter.”

Merchants in Lewes who had nothing but the weather to contend with reported steady sales.

“I’m satisfied with the season,” said Teresa Ford, owner of Kids’ Ketch. “I won’t say I’m happy with it. Probably in the end it was a little less than last year.”

Ford also noticed last-minute shoppers gave a strong finish to the season.

Margaret Ann Lupton, owner of Trader’s Jewelry & Gift Shop, reported great sales on Christmas Eve.

“The weather was nice and everyone was out for last-minute gifts,” said Lupton. “We had an extremely good Christmas Eve, which is rare.”

Owner of the Jetty on Second Street in Lewes Judy DeMeno said her customers said they were more together than in year’s past.

“At least that’s what they told me,” said DeMeno, who had strong and steady sales throughout the season. “I noticed that people came in for the last-minute small things and waited for after-Christmas sales to make larger purchases.”

Everhart, from the Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce, said Route 1 businesses had strong sales throughout the holiday season.

The Tanger Outlet Center, formerly known as the Rehoboth Outlets, is one example.

“Our gift certificates were up 25 percent, which will bring a lot of bounce back shopping in the first quarter,” said general manager of the Tanger Outlet Center Bonnie McDaniel. “So far businesses are reporting sales that beat last year, but it may not be by a whole lot. Sales are still strong. Businesses had a good weekend following Christmas. The weather was nice and Slam Dunk brings us a lot of traffic after the holidays.”