Sea Finds: Keepsakes from the beach

If you looked up “mom and pop store” in the dictionary, you might find something like Sea Finds in Penny Lane Mall, between Rehoboth Avenue and Wilmington Avenue in Rehoboth Beach.

Founded and run by Al and Linda Abrams, Sea Finds really is the shop around the corner, selling beach-related art made by local artists, sea glass jewelry, seashells and other sea-inspired items.

One of the more interesting items at Sea Finds are lifetime candles. Made in Alabama, they are oil candles that come in a glass container, each candle with a different design. The candles have fiberglass wicks, which never burn out, giving the candles their name.

Catering to Rehoboth’s penchant for beach weddings, Sea Finds also has bride and groom sandals with “Just Married” on the bottom.

Most, if not all the products in Sea Finds are made in the United States, a point of pride for the Abrams.

“Our idea is uniqueness,” Al Abrams said.

“We try very hard not to have what other people around town have,” Linda Abrams said. “There are a lot of gift shops in Rehoboth, and everybody has their own forte, but our hope is to have something appealing, affordable and unique to the customer, so that when they come in here, they haven’t seen it around the corner.”

The Abrams are both retired, having worked and lived in New Castle County. Al has been coming to Rehoboth since he was 17.

“I’ve seen many, many changes down here. Love it. It’s just a great place to be,” he said. “We’re not in the business to become millionaires. Just have fun and make a few dollars. And we meet a lot of great people.”

Sea Finds is in its fifth season in Rehoboth and heading into its second year in Penny Lane, next to Rehoboth Ale House on Wilmington Avenue. The Abrams started Sea Finds on the other side of Rehoboth Avenue, in the little alleyway between Rehoboth and Baltimore avenues. When they were looking for more space, they found their shop at the Wilmington Avenue entrance to Penny Lane, and then lucked out when another prospective tenant backed out.

“It’s been a very good move for us,” Linda said. “When we had the opportunity to move, we needed more space. This became available by the grace of God. The stars were aligned.”

While Sea Finds has recently joined the Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce, as well as being a member of Rehoboth Main Street, Linda said the visibility of the new location has been the best advertising.

“It’s a good corner to be on,” she said.

For the Abrams, making customers happy is its own reward.

“I had a woman come in one time and say ‘This shop exudes wonderful, positive energy.’ And I thought that was the nicest thing anybody could say,” Linda said.

Sea Finds is located at 42 Rehoboth Ave., Unit 24 in Penny Lane. For more information, call 302-226-7971 or visit www.seafinds.com.