When the Rehoboth Beach community learned their beloved Dolle’s sign would be coming down from its longtime perch at 1 Rehoboth Ave., there was much anxiety about its future.
All that was put to rest Wednesday, when the 1960s-era orange lettering sign was mounted on the side of the Rehoboth Beach Museum, where it will remain for the foreseeable future.
Dolle’s Salt Water Taffy existed on the north corner of Rehoboth Avenue and the boardwalk for nearly half a century, but closed last year after owner Tom Ibach’s lease expired and the building was sold.
Everyone wanted to know: “What will happen to the sign?” It was originally erected in 1962 and many associate it treasured memories of Rehoboth Beach, “The Nation’s Summer Capital.”
Ibach explored the possibility of moving the sign a few doors down to his other store, Ibach’s Candy By the Sea, but the 30-foot-by-15-foot structure was permitted only through grandfathering. It wasn’t compliant with modern city laws and would have required Ibach to seek a variance, not to mention the cost to move and re-erect it.
Ultimately, he donated the sign to the Rehoboth Beach Museum, which has a collection of historic signs. The city granted the museum a variance and over 250 donors contributed more than $35,000 to move the Dolle’s sign to and erect it at the museum.
That finally happened Wednesday, when Milton’s Rogers Sign Company hoisted the lettering onto the western façade of the museum and secured it in place. It will now be one of the first and biggest signs visitors see when they arrive in Rehoboth Beach and drive across the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal bridge.
“The Dolle’s sign represents many happy memories for people who visit the city,” said Rehoboth Beach Historical Society and Museum Director Nancy Alexander. “Whether it is their first visit or one of many over the years, the sign is a symbol to so many people that vacation has begun.”
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MORE:A moment in history: See the Dolle’s sign move from its iconic location in Rehoboth Beach
