The Country Store is where sea and countryside meet
The Country Store recently opened in the Tanger Outlets Seaside, offering customers looking for a gift or home adornment a little bit of everything – home décor, candy, stained glass, jewelry, art, artisanal goods, apparel, custom glassware, souvenirs and more.
The Country Store celebrated its grand opening April 24. Joined by son Colby Hall and business partner Bob DiFava, store owner Rachel Hall said, “The Country Store is where the sea and the country collide.”
This is the store’s third location. She opened the first two years ago along the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee in Alton, N.H. The second opened in time for this past holiday season in the Tanger Outlets location in Tilton, N.H.
Hall said the second location was so successful during Christmas, Tanger asked if there was a desire to open another location.
Hall said they settled on Rehoboth for a number of reasons – she has a second job that requires traveling and she’s in the Wilmington area frequently, DiFava has relatives in Lewes, and other Tanger Outlet locations weren’t in areas that were convenient for them to get to regularly.
The Rehoboth store is a little different from the New Hampshire stores, because there are more ocean-themed goods, she said.
“It’s very country up there,” said Hall, of the New Hampshire locations. “Rehoboth is an artsy place, and the sea is a huge part of being here.”
Hall said the products are always changing because the artisans featured in the store are always producing new stuff and the featured artisans are always changing. She estimated the works of 80 to 130 artisans are on display at any one time.
Hall said she recognizes she’s not a Rehoboth local, but she is a small business owner looking to help other small business owners succeed. This store was a real hit with the locals in New Hampshire, and the hope is it works here too, she said.
The Country Store, 36454 Seaside Outlet Drive, is open seven days a week. For now, store hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., but the closing time will change to 9 p.m. when the outlets change to summer hours. For more information, call 302-567-5313.
