(Updated at 12:40 p.m.) The owner of a coffee and wine shop that won a loyal following at the Delaware beaches is moving his store concept inland to Clarendon.
Oby Lee Coffee Roastery had several locations along the Delaware shore before owner Oby Lee (real name) decided to close up shop. In 2010, the store’s marquee Rehoboth Beach — winner of several “best coffee” awards in the local press — was put up for auction.
Now Lee is planning to open a brand new Oby Lee location at 3000 Washington Boulevard in Clarendon, with a special emphasis on wine. The shop will serve wine from its Italian estate vineyard, as well as charcuterie, tapas dishes, and espresso and coffee roasted on-site. Oby Lee will have customer seating indoors and on an outdoor patio.
Oby Lee is located in a space that was formerly a Quiznos restaurant and the short-lived Ganges Grill and Ice Cream. The space has been expanded to allow more indoor seating, we’re told. Also working in Oby Lee’s favor: new traffic signals and crosswalks that will allow more foot traffic to flow across the busy Washington Boulevard from Garfield Street and the main drag of Clarendon.
Lee is hoping to open his new ‘Oby’ location at some point this summer.