Carper visits Cape Region businesses
Sen. Tom Carper kicked off Sea Witch Festival weekend in Rehoboth Beach with a tour of three local businesses who have used funding from the Small Business Administration to sustain their success.
Carper’s first stop on what was a beautiful fall day in Rehoboth was the rooftop deck of The Cultured Pearl. The senator talked with co-owner Susan Wood about the popular sushi restaurant’s 20 years in business. Wood said the restaurant has used lines of credit from the SBA to help keep the Pearl running through the winter.
The tour, which also included officials from the SBA and lender M&T Bank, went across the street to Grub Grocery, where Carper talked with Wood’s husband, Robert, about the couple’s other business. Before leaving, Carper took the opportunity to taste get some of Grub’s grub to go.
Finally, the tour stopped at CK’s Hairport in Lewes, where owner Kay Barnett talked about the secret to surviving in business for 20 years: taking care of customers and allowing them to spread the word.
"Being here in Rehoboth reminds me that government doesn't create jobs," Carper said. "What we provide is a nurturing environment. We improve access to capital, roads, highways, bridges and clean air. When I'm here in Rehoboth, I'm reminded, it works."
