Starboard Merch Collection open in Dewey
All things shark, duck and orange crush are now available at the Starboard Merch Collection retail store in Dewey Beach, directly across Coastal Highway from the flagship restaurant.
The Starboard owner Steve “Monty” Montgomery said he views the new store as a way to give something special to people.
“The Starboard means so many things to so many different people, and having a real store lets them take home a little bit of The Starboard,” he said. “We’re thankful everyone loves what we do. Everything we do is fun, so we’re trying to have a fun store.”
The new shop is chock-full of assorted clothing, accessories and water gear, including apparel for infants to adults, golf attire, towels and pool noodles.
Customers will find Starboard shark earrings, magnets, Christmas tree ornaments and little ducks imprinted here and there, a playful nod to The Starboard’s duck machine game. Different glasses and bottles for water, wine, coffee, beer and shots abound.
A partnership with University of Delaware athletics allows for cross-branded, licensed gear sporting both logos, Montgomery said, noting he sold 500 of the UD/Starboard T-shirts the first weekend they were in stock.
“My deal is, this is Delaware and we’re very community-based. We support University of Delaware and they support us,” he said, noting his restaurants employ many of the university’s students.
Montgomery said employees Taylor Modica, Lauren Kohler and Christina Solloway have been instrumental in picking out fresh and fun merchandise, and organizing the new shop.
The T-shirt shack adjacent to The Starboard’s main entrance will remain to sell a small assortment of T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats and specialty items for Running of the Bull and patriotic events, he said.
Workers are steadily filling shelves, and more merchandise is expected soon, Montgomery said, noting Starboard Merch Collection will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, and maybe later on weekends. Starboard Sauced, Raw and Claw items will also be available.
The store will be open weekends year-round, Montgomery said, and eventually, items will be available for purchase online. For more information, go to thestarboard.com.
