Dollars & Sense

This past winter, the Shamrock Shanty made a move for Fenwick Island, and with St. Patrick’s Day nearly arrived, store owner Pat Griffith won’t even need the luck o’ the Irish this season, as business is already taking off.

The message is clear: for homeowners facing foreclosure or even just starting to feel the pinch of not being able to make mortgage payments: don’t give up. And no matter what, don’t just walk away. With the economy and housing industry still struggling, there are plenty of options out there and more ways to get help every day.

West 54 Café, one of the area’s breakfast and lunch hotspots, this Sunday is debuting their monthly art show, which will feature some of the area’s most respected and emerging artists. On Sunday, Feb. 28, the Fenwick Island coffee shop’s first free show will kick off at 5 p.m., and organizers are inviting the public to enjoy food and drinks while getting to know some of the community’s artists.

Since 2000, Matteo’s Salsa Loco has been a staple for authentic Hispanic cuisine and prize-winning cocktails in Bethany Beach. But, as of this May, they’re heading south toward the border – the state border, that is – to Fenwick Island, where a larger establishment and greater proximity to Ocean City, Md., could draw in the crowd that owner Matt “Matteo” Griffin has always dreamt of.

“Going green” is no longer a trend. For many, it’s here to stay. With gas prices still volatile at best, and the money state government has provided for grants and rebates for energy-efficiency projects not expected to last forever, if there is something that needs to be greened at home or at work, why wait?

At the start of the new year, Adrian Mobilia introduced the area to Fenwick Wine Cellars, a local farm winery that’s also much more. Located along the Route 54 corridor, the winery and tasting room – although still new – is something he thinks could evolve into one of the region’s most popular spots in a matter of months.

The weather may still not be up to summer beach standards, but Rehoboth’s Dogfish Head Brewings and Eats is still finding ways to pack the house. Once a month in the off-season, Dogfish offers customers for a themed, eccentric, five-course meal, complete with their own beer and spirits pairings.

Sussex County Council members on Tuesday, Jan. 19, rejected a proposed 320,000-square-foot commercial project near Lewes, adjacent to Cape Henlopen High School, on a 3-2 vote, citing concerns about traffic, lot coverage in an environmentally sensitive area and the project's size - larger than existing commercial projects in the area.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, Daren Criswell and Billie Nichols’ new business could write novels. At the end of last year, the young couple introduced their new service, Love Photo Booths, which brings the classic fun and entertainment of photo booths to any occasion. The two are hoping that 2010 welcomes not only some economic relief, but smiles and laughs with it, as well, as they help countless people capture life-long memories.

Whether one is heading out of town for the holidays, for a few weeks or for the cold, winter season, it’s always a comforting feeling to know that property, pets and home are safe and protected. That is precisely what Selbyville resident Barbara Hobbs is offering through her new pet-sitting and concierge service, Home Minders.

An international company with roots in Sussex County is making leaps and bounds in customer care and work-from-home opportunities. All-American (AA) Teleservices LLC is a national provider of enhanced telephone support services, geared toward government agencies, the Fortune 1,000 community, and the medical and emergency services industries. And based locally in Dagsboro, George Meringolo is helping it thrive on both a national and local scale.

After nearly four months of recovery from a fire that caused roughly $7,500 worth of damage, Selbyville’s Dollar General store has reopened in time for the holidays, much to the relief of customers and employees. The store, situated right in the center of downtown Selbyville along Church Street, caught fire on Aug. 10 from an ice cream machine installed too close to an interior wall. Fire damage to the structure and smoke damage to a large amount of the merchandise shut the business’ doors for nearly 15 weeks.

One step inside Fenwick Island hotspot Bikinis and More, and shoppers may think it’s Christmas in July, as a wide selection of bathing suits, flip-flops and beach apparel line the walls. What those shoppers are quickly learning, however, is that store owner Jill Lamberston has found a way to provide great deals on beach favorites and swimwear, as well as one-of-a-kind gifts for the holidays from local crafters.

Local entrepreneur Robb Leech is now offering some sybaritic indulgences at the Delaware shore, backed by the recent acquisition of his massage-therapy license. Leech’s Fusion Day Spa in Millville is quickly becoming a popular spot for relaxation and rejuvenation.

Have a grandfather clock that just isn’t keeping time? Don’t get your pendulum all out of whack, just call Roland Murphy.