Grace Boutique now open in Rehoboth

Looking for a space in Rehoboth where she was planning to open a new restaurant, Grace Boutique owner Mary Shapiro said she had a sudden change of plans.

When she came across the Baltimore Avenue property where her new store is located, she said, “I just knew this was meant to be a boutique.” 

Grace Boutique opened June 20. Grace is Shapiro’s middle name. “I was called Gracie until I was 15 or so, but I put an end to that as I got older,” she said. “I thought it was a good name for a boutique.”

Shapiro described herself as a restaurant person; this is her first foray into the boutique business. She said her husband, Ronald, died of lung cancer a few years ago, and now was the time to do something new.

“I’m in a position to reinvent myself,” said Shapiro, adding, “My therapist told me to get up off my a**, so I got up off my a**.”

Shapiro said the clothing items in her store have to be under $100, high quality and brands that nobody else has. She said the clothing is super cute and super comfortable.

“I want this to be the type of place where a mother and daughter can come and shop together,” she said.

In addition to the clothing, Grace Boutique has a wide selection of accessories – sunglasses, handbags, necklaces.

Shapiro said the first weekend was steady and, after a longer-than-expected renovation process, she’s looking forward to steady traffic through the summer. She also said a number of the business owners stopped by and welcomed her to the community.

“I love being on Baltimore Avenue,” she said.

Shapiro recognizes a number of other women’s boutiques have recently opened in Rehoboth, but she said there’s plenty of room. Each has their own unique offerings, and there’s plenty of money to be made, she said.

Shapiro said Grace Boutique has a rewards program: for every $100 spent, a customer gets 10 percent off their next purchase.

Grace Boutique, 36 Baltimore Ave., is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday to Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday. For more information go to graciesthreads.com or call 302-212-5092.