Browseabout Books to open June 1 with precautions

In the past 16 years at Browseabout Books, managing partner Susan Kehoe can’t recall a time when the store has been closed for more than a single day or two at a time. Besides a rare snowstorm, or Thanksgiving and Christmas days, the store is open every day of the year for shopping. As of May 30, Browseabout will have been closed to the public for more than two months. “It has been a huge loss in every way imaginable,” Kehoe said. 

Beginning June 1, Browseabout will open for business in accordance with the guidelines set forth by Gov. John Carney. “We can’t wait to welcome back our loyal customers and visitors to Rehoboth Beach,” said Kehoe.

To prepare for the reopening and provide the safest possible experience for customers, the store has gone through rigorous preparations, including calling in Germ Defense Delaware to disinfect the store. Employees sanitized all high-use areas, dismantled displays to allow for better foot traffic flow, placed markers on the floor for social distancing, and taped directional arrows to guide customers down aisles holding nearly 35,000 book titles, and an array of gift items and toys.

Some services have been temporarily discontinued or altered during the initial reopening. “Streamlining operations is our goal,” Kehoe said. The cash registers on the book side of the store will be for information only, at least for now. The café side of the store will ring up customer purchases.  

“We won’t be selling newspapers or magazines, but our café will be offering takeout coffee drinks, tea and other beverages starting at 8 a.m.” 

Masks are required for customers over age 12. There will be hand sanitizer by the door. Gloves will be available for customers who want them. 

“We’ve been blown away by the support from our customers during the shutdown and can’t wait to welcome everyone back,” Kehoe said. 

Store hours will be updated on the website (www.browseaboutbooks.com) and on Facebook.