Nothing wasted at new Milton thrift store

It began with a box, a bike seat and a blanket.

Owner Shawn Hall now has a store full of items, many of which still have their original tags.  Some of the items at Delilah’s Dive came from auctions or were given to Hall as freebies, but most of the items came from inside a Dumpster.  It began one day when Hall realized one man’s trash truly is another man’s treasure.

A friend of Hall’s had lost his job.  He needed a box to begin moving his things.  Hall found his friend a box in a Dumpster.  Investigating further, Hall said, he found a fleece blanket, which he grabbed, intending to donate it to a homeless shelter.  Then, he found two more blankets, then, a bike seat, then the rest of the bike and more.

Hall operates Delilah’s Dive in Milton Business Park, behind Food Lion on Route 5 in Milton.  The shop is filled with brand-new books, kites, picture frames, video games, computer programs, children’s flip flops, Ravens gear and adult clothing – all found objects.

According to Hall, over 70 percent of the inventory is brand new.  Delilah’s also carries secondhand clothing, shoes, housewares, bicycles and movies.  Hall said what is on display only scratches the surface of the items he has in stock.  Even Hall’s display cases came from a Dumpster.

“These big corporations say they’re green because they have carbon credits.  Never mind how much they toss out,” Hall said.  Hall said he considers the store a retail outlet at thrift store prices.

Hall has often donated to local thrift stores. “I’ve always been a giver,” he said.  During one donation trip, someone suggested Hall open his own secondhand store.

Hall first tried to open a thrift shop in Dover, but plans fell through.  Later, he tried to open in Lewes, but again, things did not work out.  Finally, he rented a location next to Milton library on Union Street, where he operated Delilah’s Dive for a number of months.  But business downtown was not what he had hoped, and customers rarely visited the store.  Hall said he believes his new location in a higher-traffic area near the Food Lion shopping center will be more profitable.

Originally from Kent County, Hall lives with his girlfriend, a native of Virginia, in Lewes.  In Dover, Hall was active with Boy Scouts of America.  Hall said he hopes to partner with a community youth center in the Cape Region to continue his volunteer work.  “I like giving back,” Hall said.  “It makes me feel at peace.”

Operating out of the same storefront, Eddie Jarrell runs Eddie’s Bait and Tackle.  Hall met Jarrell in a homeless shelter, and invited him into the business to help Jarrell get on his feet.  “I’m willing to give a person a chance,” Hall said.

Jarrell said he has been fishing his whole life.  “We fish behind the library all the time,” Jarrell said.  “We catch monster fish there.”  Jarrell said he noticed there was a lack of fresh, local bait near Wagamons Pond, and he decided to fill the niche.

Delilah’s Dive and Eddie’s Bait and Tackle celebrated their grand opening March 5.  The shop is open seven days a week from 12 to 6 p.m., in Milton Business Park, behind Food Lion on Union Street.  For more information, call 302-399-4267.