Ocean Blue Thrift Store officially opened to the public March 10 in Rehoboth Beach. 

Ocean Blue Thrift Store offers and accepts a variety of secondhand items, including clothing and accessories, household items, furniture (space permitting), electronics, books, toys and kids’ items, home goods and linens, sports and outdoor items, and seasonal items. Donations are accepted daily on site during business hours, with an outdoor bin available to provide a quick and convenient drop-off option for community members.

The business grew out of owner Katie Lusky’s broader environmental initiative, the Planet Green Project, which she founded about four years ago. Lusky, a social worker for more than 20 years, recently relocated to Delaware after frequently visiting Rehoboth Beach where her family has roots, and saw an opportunity to further her environmental advocacy, particularly efforts to protect the oceans, through the creation of Ocean Blue Thrift Store.

“I think there’s a lot of environmental things that people just aren’t aware of,” said Lusky. “My parents are from Rehoboth, so I have been coming down here several times a year for the last 20 years, and I like the beach like everybody else. I don’t think people realize the trouble our oceans are in. So that’s why we chose Ocean Blue as the name, because our focus is educating people on single-use plastic and how harmful it is to the oceans and the ecosystems.”

Ocean Blue Thrift Store operates as a nonprofit sustainability initiative through Planet Green Project Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization focused on promoting environmental responsibility, reducing waste and protecting oceans. The shop encourages community members to donate and purchase gently used items, helping keep usable goods out of landfills while promoting environmentally conscious living. Revenue generated through the store supports environmental programs, educational initiatives and contributions to organizations working to protect the planet, including the Environmental Defense Fund. 

Ocean Blue Thrift Store is located at 20644 Coastal Hwy. Suite 2, Rehoboth Beach.

“We want to provide the local community with a place to donate and shop secondhand,” said Katie Lusky. “Our prices are very reasonable, and we really just want to contribute to a cleaner community that is more environmentally conscious."