Pelican Loft reopens

The venerable Pelican Loft in Rehoboth Beach is back in business.

The Pelican Loft is continuing its tradition of vintage accessories, furniture, home and garden supplies and artwork. Entering its 16th year, the shop reopened at 143 Rehoboth Ave. after an 18-month hiatus.

Co-owner Lauren Roming said the new store was opened just in time for July 4 weekend.

“It couldn’t have been better timing,” she said. “Lots of positive – we missed you – response. And a lot of new people. To us, we feel a lot of support for our decision to move to the avenue.”

Roming said the new location on Rehoboth Avenue offers more exposure than before and will attract visitors who don’t stray far from the avenue. Although the store is new, and about 400-square feet bigger than the previous location, the ethos behind the Pelican Loft is the same.

“The general philosophy of the mix of old and new has not changed,” she said.

Roming and Lisa Myers founded the Pelican Loft as a bed and breakfast on Baltimore Avenue, where it operated for eight years before turning into a retail business. The Pelican Loft then moved to Village by the Sea off Rehoboth Avenue, where it stayed until early 2012 when Roming and Myers decided to take a break until the economy improved.

Despite being around for nearly two decades, and taking four months to build the new store, Roming said she and Myers are still excited by the day-to-day work at the Pelican Loft.

“We’re really happy with the building. The location is fantastic,” Roming said. “It’s fun. We are a little tired though.”

Pelican Loft is open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week in the summer, with fall hours still to be determined. For more information on Pelican Loft call 226-5080.