Scrub Apparel Outlet under new management
Providing clothing and equipment for people who work in the in the Cape Region's growing medical field is the main goal for new owners of Scrub Apparel Outlet in Lewes.
Located next to Shell Affair gift shop and Furniture Gallery on Route 1 outside Lewes, Scrub Apparel Outlet is now owned by the Ingram family, which has a history of retail success at the location.
Esther Ann Ingram of Lewes said her family has owned the business location and operated several successful businesses for more than 50 years. She and her sister, Marlene Lusk, are continuing that tradition next to two stores they already own - Ingram's Shell Affair gift shop and Furniture Gallery, where Lusk sells unfinished furniture.
The scrub outlet features racks of colorful tops and pants for nurses and other medical personnel, with new additions coming in regularly, Ingram said. The sisters recently added a line of equipment, including stethoscopes to their merchandise. Shoes and chef clothing are also coming.
"We wanted to take over the scrub shop so that it would continue to be here, offering a wide variety to customers," said Ingram. "We knew it was something needed in the area."
Lusk said she was interested in the business because she saw how excited customers are about it.
"There aren't many places for nurses to go, and the medical field is one that is continuing to expand in our region," Lusk said. "There is already a great customer base, so we wanted to keep selling scrubs here, so they don't have to drive to Dover, and so they don't have to order online."
Lusk said the new business aims to please customers. She has ordered products for businesses such as Visiting Angels, which wanted a certain uniform for its nurses. At the same time, she has placed individual orders for specific colors or designs.
"We really pay attention to what the customers want, and we can order anything for them," Lusk said.
The shop offers a wide variety of prices to customers, ranging from student rates to professional-quality items.
"We hope former customers and new ones come in and shop locally," Lusk said.
Locally fueled businesses
In the family's years of business experience, Ingram said they have always wanted to work closely with the public.
Ingram moved back to Lewes from Fort Lauderdale last year and immediately dove into the business. She started making one-of-a-kind jewelry and selling it at craft shows across Delmarva. She would load the pieces into bins and travel around to the shows, but she soon decided she wanted a shop to display her work.
She found a spot in the family's business location, next to the Scrub Apparel Outlet, which she helps run.
Shell Affair features handmade jewelry as well as home items such as painted glassware with shell features.
"I worked for a shell import company and just started adding the shells to jewelry I was working on," said Ingram. "People really enjoyed it."
Ingram and Lusk work together on some of the home items, such as end tables painted by Lusk with shell-work done by Ingram.
"My jewelry is really personal because I take something and make it unique by adding personal touches," said Ingram. "Then I wanted to take on more with the scrub outlet, so that it could be more of a challenge for me. Both businesses are truly customer-oriented."
For more information on the Scrub Apparel Outlet or Shell Affair, call 302-703-2023. The businesses are located on Route 1 northbound in between Arby's and Sound FX.
