Having a hermit crab is a right of passage for any child in my opinion and of course I wanted my granddaughter to have that experience. Unlike Ocean City or Wildwood, Rehoboth doesn't have the standard beach store selling them every other retail establishment. We actually had to look long and hard to try to find them. The first store only had a few for $7.99 per crab and they looked half dead. Second store insisted you buy two and none of them were out or active. The third store, the Sea Shell Shop was like a ray of light. We were further up the strip and about ready to abort our mission when the sign "we have hermit crabs " on the door stopped us dead in our tracks.
Inside they had two large tanks full of different size crabs, all active, and happy as a crab can be. The one crab was 18 years old and massive! A true testament to their dedication and care of these little critters. Aside from the crabs they had everything else a crab mommy would ever need - small cages, food in different sizes, variety, size up shells, treats, sponges, climbers - they had items here I haven't seen elsewhere.
Sharon, the store manager was very helpful in assisting us select just the right little guy and getting everything we'll need to start....and at only $1.99 per crab we were able to spurge and get hermie a friend!
Aside from the crabs the store itself is pretty neat. They had your typical souvenir type stuff and beach decor + a nice size selection of kids toys and such, including the brand Doug and Melissa which I love for their good quality. Prices weren't bad either. While their name promotes them as a sea shell store I saw very little shells but more a little of everything. They even sold fresh frudge!
Only gripes were the store is very tight with congested isles and hard to avoid walking past someone without the fear of your purse knocking something over. I also felt the care instructions for the hermit crabs should have been included with the crab purchase and not an additional .39 cents.
Other than that we're fans! And on our way out I noticed another sign "little hands are welcome here", especially given the delicate nature of some of their wares this made me smile. read more