By Logan B. Anderson

DOVER — The one constant in life and business is change. Up and down the First State, in the last few weeks, business observers have seen a Sussex County favorite find new owners, a quiet New Castle County corner may soon see construction and a Kent County business owner launched a new venture.

Also, recently, a German grocery store chain opened two new stores in the First State.

In Rehoboth Beach this month, two businesses became one with SoDel Concepts’ announcement of its acquisition of Surf Bagel.

Surf Bagel was founded in 2004 by brothers and surfers Dave and Tom Vitella. The bagel shop specializes in New York-style bagels, flavored cream cheeses, bagel sandwiches and other breakfast and lunch items.

SoDel Concepts, a hospitality company, added the bagel business to its portfolio of more than a dozen restaurant and entertainment venues.

“We could not have dreamed of a better fit than with Scott Kammerer and SoDel Concepts,” said Dave Vitella in a statement about the purchase. “The one constant in life is change and I knew we wouldn’t be doing this forever. SoDel is the perfect solution; they are the very best at what they do, and they will continue to honor the loyalty and dedication of Surf Bagel’s employees and patrons.”

Beyond their recent business deal, the Vitella family and the Kammerer family, of SoDel, have a long history together in the Rehoboth Beach area.

“Who doesn’t love Surf Bagel?” said Scott Kammerer, president of SoDel Concepts.

Mr. Kammerer said the Surf Bagel purchase was the right decision because its mission aligns with his company’s goals to provide good food and great service.

“SoDel Concepts has the highest respect for the successful concept and will continue offering the menu that has made it a fan favorite,” Mr. Kammerer added.

In Dover, Donnell Fears Salon for Men and Women celebrated — with the help of the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce — its grand opening and a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Dec. 3.

The new salon is at 32 W. Loockerman St., Suite 109, in Dover.

Donnell Fears Salon for Men and Women was created to provide an upscale hair salon experience for men and women. The salon was established in 2020.

Since opening, owner and Delaware native Donnell Fears said he has sought out opportunities to give back to the community. Recently he has partnered with Fear’s Promotion to donate time, money and expertise to efforts like holiday giveaway events, coat drives and back-to-school giveaways.

For more information, find Donnell Fears Salon for Men and Women online at www.facebook.com/Donnellssalon.

In Townsend, the Dollar General Corporation, via the Becker Morgan Group, began the process to build a new variety store at the corner of Black Diamond Road and U.S. 13.

The property where the dollar store retailer plans to build is across the highway from Helen’s Sausage House.

The plan, now working its way through the New Castle County Land Use Department, includes a one-story 10,640-square-foot building, a parking area with 43 spaces and an entrance on the southbound side of U.S. 13.

The process is in its early stages. The initial filing was made Nov. 15. Once all New Castle County Land Use Department’s application requirements are met, the request will be reviewed by the county’s Planning Board. If it makes it through that review, then it will be heard by the New Castle County Council. Once Dollar General achieves all the approvals it needs, it can begin construction. Building could potentially begin in late 2022.

In Christiana and Rehoboth Beach, Germany-based grocery store chain Aldi recently celebrated openings of two new stores.

The Rehoboth Beach store opened on Nov. 11. The Christiana store celebrated its grand opening on Thursday.

“We are excited to open our first ALDI location in Christiana and introduce area shoppers to the high-quality, fresh foods we offer at low prices in every aisle of the store, every day,” said Bob Grammer, Center Valley regional vice president for ALDI, in a statement about Thursday’s opening.

“The ALDI business model is designed to provide exceptional products at unbeatable prices, and we look forward to serving Christiana customers for many years to come.”

The recent store openings are part of what Aldi officials called an “aggressive national expansion.”

ALDI operates more than 2,100 stores in 37 states and is on track to become the third-largest U.S. grocery retailer by store count by the end of 2022.

Aldi is open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Shoppers should remember to bring a quarter with them when they go to Aldi to unlock one of their shopping carts. Depositing a quarter to unlock a shopping cart is one way ALDI saves shoppers money, store officials said. The store doesn’t hire employees to corral loose carts, and customers get their quarter back when they return the cart.

Even before changes in laws regulating plastic shopping bags, ALDI also asked shoppers to bring reusable bags. It has never offered single-use plastic bags, a sustainable policy that leads to savings that are passed on to customers, Aldi officials said.

For more information about Aldi, visit www.aldi.us.