Rehoboth Toy and Kite flies across the avenue
After nearly 20 years on the north side of Rehoboth Avenue, Rehoboth Toy and Kite Company is moving across the street to First Street Station.
Co-owner Rachel Webster said the move was partly in response to increased rent at their 67 Rehoboth Ave. location and because after 18 years, they had maxed out the space. Webster said she and co-owner Bee Linzay were looking for a fresh beginning after being in one place for so long.
“There’s more stores on this side anyway. We’re ready for a change," Webster said. "I feel like we have very good business on the Avenue. I feel like we’re maxed out at what that store can bring. There’s not much more room to grow over there.”
Other than the address, which is now 70 Rehoboth Ave., not much has changed about the store, which will continue to carry kites and every variety of toy for children of all ages. The office and warehouse space has been relocated upstairs and also crossing the Avenue is a Mary Poppins cutout on the roof. Webster said she represents flying away to a new spot.
Webster said she likes the exposure and stability of the businesses on the south side of Rehoboth Avenue. In their 18 years at the other store, she said, they had 14 different neighbors.
Webster said the move itself came together in less than a week; they deconstructed the old store on Tuesday and Wednesday, moved everything Thursday, set up the new store Friday and opened Saturday, Nov. 1.
Rehoboth Toy and Kite is one of the first tenants to open in the new First Street Station, reconfigured earlier this year so more stores front on Rehoboth Avenue.
Webster said it was difficult leaving their home of 18 years.
“I got a little choked up; I’m not going to lie,” she said. “It makes me very sad. But it was getting to a point where we had to take a business perspective on this. Change is hard.”
Still, she said she is excited for a new start.
“New spot, new feel to it. New motivation,” Webster said.
Rehoboth Toy and Kite will maintain its flagship store at the Boardwalk and Virginia Avenue, which Webster and Linzay founded 20 years ago.
For more information on Rehoboth Toy and Kite Company, call 302-227-6996 or go to rehobothkite.com.
Ryan Mavity covers Milton and the court system. He is married to Rachel Swick Mavity and has two kids, Alex and Jane. Ryan started with the Cape Gazette all the way back in February 2007, previously covering the City of Rehoboth Beach. A native of Easton, Md. and graduate of Towson University, Ryan enjoys watching the Baltimore Ravens, Washington Capitals and Baltimore Orioles in his spare time.
