What was once old is new at Old Wood Delaware
“Tastes like paint ... and wood.” - Walter Matthau said to Joan Plowright in his role as George Wilson in the 1993 film version of “Dennis the Menace.”
Dennis had just ruined George and Martha’s outdoor lunch by adding a wood chip paintball, shot out of a vacuum cleaner, to their grilled chicken. Plowright, playing the role of Martha, quickly remedied the situation by making a few sandwiches to replace the wood-flavored painted chicken.
As a neighbor, Dennis left a lot to be desired. Old Wood Delaware, the newest charm on W. Third Street in Lewes, is hoping to avoid being a menace while creating wooderful items with the paint and wood they come across.
Just a few doors down from the Zwaanendael Club Museum Store and a crosswalk away from Auntie M’s Emporium, Old Wood Delaware has opened at 114 W. Third St. Owner Marty Bueneman said significant investment was made to renovate the former pole building and bring it to the wooden wonder that is the newest business in the historic district. The structure houses the business, storage and two short-term rental units on the second floor. Although built sometime in the 1970s, designs and materials had to be approved by the Lewes Historic Preservation Architectural Review Commission.
During the grand opening weekend, Nov. 5-6, customers approaching Lewes’ newest wood shop will be greeted by brick that hails from an old train station. The same brick was also used for the internal pillars running up the sides of the building. As they push open the door and walk in, they will come into contact with two Old Wood Delaware creations – the floor and door itself. A relaxing scent of cedar greets their nose while their eyes are treated to a wooden wonderland. Design consultant Andrea Morrone, whom Bueneman playfully introduces as Vanna, is an exceptional host, both friendly and knowledgeable about the timber tinkerings. Almost everything seen in the store has been made by Old Wood Delaware.
The company buys and recovers wood to produce flooring, paneling, furniture and home decor. It began by selling reclaimed flooring to distributors and high-end retail stores in Queen Anne, Md., and evolved into furniture making in 2000. Its mission is to offer quality, one-of-a-kind products made from domestically sourced, reclaimed and manufactured lumber.
Located at 26804 Lewes-Georgetown Highway, the company’s Harbeson shop will remain the flagship for the business. The Lewes location is the second brick-and-mortar store for Old Wood Delaware, but the first to feature showroom-style rentals on site. The grand opening will begin at 10 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 5, featuring food, drink and a raffle to stay in one of the rentals on the second floor. The festivities will end at around 7 p.m., but pick up again Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
More information is available by following Old Wood Delaware on Facebook or browsing the company’s website, oldwoodde.com. For those who would like to learn more about offerings and customization options, Morrone is available at 302-684-3600 or by emailing oldwood@comcast.net.
