Kids’ Ketch celebrates 35th anniversary in Lewes

The gang’s all here! Celebrating 35 years in business in front are (l-r) Susan Curtis, Lori Smyth, Deborah Williams and Stephanie Creel. In the second row are Jack Louden, Karin Laroche and Gail Linden. In the third row are Ryan Kerr, Coleen Dowd and Joan Larusso. In the fourth row are Jake Ford, Teresa Ford and Sandy Smyth. TED PFIRRMANN PHOTOS

Ted Pfirrmann

June 12, 2025

Kids’ Ketch celebrated its 35th anniversary June 7, at its Second Street location in downtown Lewes.

The celebration included a prize wheel, a cake cutting, autographed books by Ilona Holland, and Chuckles the Pirate making balloon animals.

Sandy Smyth, co-owner of Kids’ Ketch, said the event represents the celebration of an icon. He said, “We were honored to be able to buy the store from Teresa Ford and continue its traditions. It means a lot to us when people say, ‘I went there as a kid’ or ‘I brought my kids there.’ It’s just a great location. Teresa is still working here part time and will continue to do so for as long as she wants. It’s really nice having her around; she’s just so full of institutional knowledge.”

The Smyths are no strangers to the toy business themselves. They started their first business, Tidepool Toys and Games, in 2011 on the Bethany Beach Boardwalk, followed by locations in Fenwick Island and Rehoboth Beach.

For more information, go to kidsketch.com.