Cape May, N.J., features gorgeous Victorian houses on every street. Every house was elegantly designed and colorfully painted. The wrap-around porches with comfortable old-fashioned rocking chairs were astonishing. Beautiful gardens and the ladies walking around town in fine hats, not to mention the exceptional beaches, were all extremely attractive. The lighthouses, antique shops, restaurants and museums were also nice attractions. You don’t want to miss the sunset at Sunset Beach.
When you’re on vacation, there’s always time to shop. The Washington Street Mall in Cape May offers fun-fashionable shops with something for everyone. A favorite stop is a store called Kaleidoscope, owned by Susan and Barry Tischler. Kaleidoscope stocks a wonderful hat collection. These hats stand out with their elaborate designs, priced from $59 to $89. Some are simple straw styles with short or wide brims. Other hats are displayed with ribbons and bows, and in fashionable shapes. They even had a few “Sunday-go-to-meeting” chapeaux. The store also carries quality gift items that are simply unique.
Barry Tischler came up with the idea of the shop and wanted to stock items that would help folks get through their day. “We have a creative stock for creative people,” said Tischler. For men, women and children, Kaleidoscope’s novelty T-shirt collection is displayed in a separate section of the shop. Fine and costume jewelry selections include silver and gold-filled earrings, bracelets, necklaces and watches. Long, cool pretty print dresses in soft natural fabrics are hung throughout the shop. You can spend a lot of time in the store just looking around. Interesting tunics and beach coverups are shown in small, medium and large sizes, or one size fits all. Name brands are stocked, but not promoted.
Sea Bags, on Liberty Place, just off the Washington Mall’s main strip, features incredible totes, accessories and home goods that are made out of recycled sails. The materials retain the essence of what they once were and where they have been. Their shop was filled with truly durable and amazing items. The Sea Bag crew believes that, “Sails soak up the sun, salt, smiles,and adventure.”