Stoneworks Lapidary moves locations, sort of

After nearly a decade in Rehoboth Mews, occupying a space fronting Baltimore Avenue, Stoneworks Lapidary has moved – sort of.

The Rehoboth Beach stone and fossil shop is still in Rehoboth Mews, but it’s now farther down the alley and closer to The Coffee Mill, instead of fronting the street.

Entering its 10th season, owner Frank Navecky said the plan was to move to Route 1, but things fell through. They had even gone as far as handing out business cards with the new location’s address, he said.

“There was this grand plan to move out onto the highway, but cost overruns and other issues made that move impossible,” said Navecky, who co-owns the shop with his wife Debbie; their daughter Jessica Hubbell is the store manager. 

The new space isn’t as big as the old one, so floor space to show inventory is at a premium.

“It’s a small space, so we’ve had to get creative with how we display things,” he said, pointing to the business’ mold of a life-size T-rex head that’s garnered the attention of kids for years and is now located on a shelf behind the register. “For example, this used to be on the floor, but now it’s up there.”

Hubbell said the new location is a two-year change. They still plan to move out to the highway, she said.

Nodding his head in agreement, Navecky said he thinks being out on the highway will increase visibility.

“With a larger square footage and more visibility, it would be a big advantage and allow us to increase the products we provide,” said Navecky.

Interested in rocks and fossils since he was a kid, Navecky is a self-taught lapidarist. 

“This is a business that grew out of my hobby,” he said.

The Naveckys opened the original Stoneworks Lapidary in Erie, Pa., but closed after opening the shop in Rehoboth. In 2021, they opened a second location in Princeton, W. Va.

“We’ve got family over there,” said Hubbell.

Stoneworks features rocks, gemstones and fossils from all over the world, said Navecky. 

Hubbell said all the jewelry – dozens of bracelets and pendants – is made in-house. There are also carved stones and kid-friendly games.

The new space may be temporary, but for now, Navecky said, the plan is to reopen Stoneworks at its new Rehoboth Mews location with limited hours beginning Friday, Feb. 3. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday to Monday. As the weather warms, the hours and days will increase to seven days a week, said Navecky.

For more information on Stoneworks Lapidary, 40 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach, call 302-448-9219 or go to its Etsy page, which can be found under StoneworksLap.