That didn’t take long.
Rick and Carol Dryer announced shortly after Labor Day they were selling their four-decade-old business Odysea…Destination Beach in Rehoboth Beach.
Now, just in time for the holidays, the couple has announced the business is being sold to Mary Anne Callaghan and Patrick Turner, longtime family friends who weren’t ready to retire.
“We’re happy to have someone we’re confident can carry the business on,” said Carol, during an interview with all four people Nov. 13.
Located on the Rehoboth Avenue side of The Avenue Inn & Spa, Odysea was purchased by the Dryers in the early 2000s. At the time, it was a custom-design T-shirt shop known as Wear Art. They renamed it in 2004.
Carol said they got into the business the same way they got out of the business – a sign in the window.
“We walked in and knew,” said Carol.
In some ways, a trio of cancer diagnoses led to the change in ownership – Callaghan’s husband Leo died in January from cancer; Turner is a cancer survivor who recently received a clean bill of health; and Carol is currently receiving treatment for head and neck cancer.
No longer taking care of her husband, Callaghan was questioning what she was going to do when she saw the article about the business being for sale. She stopped by, walked through, took a couple photos and then convinced Turner to partner with her.
Turner, having survived cancer, said he decided to accelerate an already-planned move from Connecticut to Rehoboth. He’s been coming to the area since the mid-1980s and bought a house three years ago.
Callaghan has a background in sales and retail, and is comfortable with the idea of ordering merchandise.
“When I walked through, I knew I could handle running it,” said Callaghan.
Turner has a background in marketing. Laughing, he said this will be his first go-around at sales, but he said his marketing and social media background complement Callaghan’s sales background.
“One of the primary reasons I decided to get into this business is because there are a number of unique clothing designs that are unique to us,” said Turner. “Plus, you can’t beat the location.”
Technically, Turner and Callaghan take over the business Friday, Dec. 1, but they’ve begun working with the Dryers to learn the business’ process.
There might be a few changes, but this is a great business and there’s not much to improve on, said Callaghan.
For now, store hours are going to remain the same – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Monday. For more information on Odysea…Destination Beach, 110 Rehoboth Ave., call 302-227-6707 or email odysearb@gmail.com.