Rehoboth Hardware keeps Quillen’s tradition alive
A trio of local guys have opened Rehoboth Hardware in the former Quillen’s Hardware storefront off Hebron Road, just outside downtown.
Co-owners Mike Simpler, Don Mitchell Jr., and Bryan Burton celebrated their new venture with a quiet coffee-and-donut opening May 23.
“We’ve already had customers tell us they’re happy we’ve opened because now they don’t have to drive up to the box stores and deal with Route 1,” said Simpler. “There’s something here for everyone.”
The shelves have been restocked, and there are new items and expanded selections, said Simpler. There are the basic items for home repairs by homeowners and emergency items needed by contractors, he said.
Founded by Dennard and Charlotte Quillen, Quillen’s Hardware was located on Rehoboth Avenue for more than three decades before moving out to Hebron Road in 2008. It closed in late March. The hardware store was part of the construction company D.F. Quillen and Sons, which was founded in 1916 and is still operating.
Simpler said the three men have been talking about doing something like this for years. They’ve known the Quillen family for many years through the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company, and when they were approached about taking it over, it seemed like a good thing to do, he said.
“We’re a bunch of locals running a local store,” said Simpler. “We’re keeping a Rehoboth tradition alive.”
Rehoboth Hardware will have an official grand opening Wednesday, June 25.
Rehoboth Hardware, 19897 Hebron Road, is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday; and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sunday.
For more information, email info@rehobothhardware.com, call 302-542-8686 or go to rehobothhardware.com.
Chris Flood has been working for the Cape Gazette since early 2014. He currently covers Rehoboth Beach and Henlopen Acres, but has also covered Dewey Beach and the state government. He covers environmental stories, business stories and random stories on subjects he finds interesting, and he also writes a column called Choppin’ Wood that runs every other week. He’s a graduate of the University of Maine and the Landing School of Boat Building & Design.
