Dinah Lingo’s Grocery for sale in Rehoboth Beach

For almost 125 years, there has been a market on the corner of Baltimore Avenue and North First Street in Rehoboth Beach bearing the Lingo name. It appears that’s going to change.

According to a sign taped to the First Street-facing side of the building (the address is 30 Baltimore Ave.) the business is for sale.

When reached by phone May 5, owner Dinah Lingo didn’t have much to say. It’s time for a change and she would like to keep it a food store, she said.

“The sign has been up there since January,” said Lingo.

The Lingo’s Market corner store was established in 1898 by John A. Lingo and operated continuously by members of the family through the 2022 summer season. Dinah acquired the market, and the rest of the approximately 20,000 square feet of land, in 2010 for $4.3 million after a disagreement with her brother ultimately ended with Delaware’s Chancery Court ordering an auction of the property.

Online listings describe the sale of business as a “rare opportunity to own/lease an in-town Rehoboth Beach grocery market.” The listing said the 5,000-square-foot store was remodeled in 2010 and says the name of the store can be negotiated.

“It’ll change one way or the other,” said Lingo.

Lingo said she’s fielded a number of inquiries about the business, but mainly from people who are being nosy.

The property is not being sold, which Lingo said is made perfectly clear in the real estate listing. It’s just the store, she said.