JOSH DAVIS/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
Top, Berlin Mayor Gee Williams and business owner Jeseka Tucker prepare for a ribbon cutting for the new Madison Avenue Boutique on Main Street, last Saturday. Bottom, Patty Backer is all smiles during a busy opening last Saturday for her new William Street shop, the Dusty Lamb.

By Josh Davis, Associate Editor

(March 28, 2019) Two new shops, Madison Avenue Boutique on 11 South Main Street and The Dusty Lamb on 12 William Street, opened with great fanfare in downtown Berlin Saturday.

Family, friends and local business people gathered to welcome the boutique clothing store, which held a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the Berlin Chamber of Commerce.

“The store is basically [size] 0 to 18 contemporary, ready to wear with a bohemian flair,” owner Jeseka Tucker said. “We’ll have jewelry [and] we have name brands like BB Dakota, Show Me Your Mumu, Dex and Dex Plus.

“Everything is going to be about the modern-looking woman, so it’s going to be somebody that’s just like the everyday person, and then we’ll have some cute little dresses as well,” she added.

Tucker previously worked in Ocean City and joked she’s probably tried to sell everyone in town something, from wine to makeup. She said opening the store was a lifelong dream come true.

Mayor Gee Williams said it was a beautiful afternoon to welcome a beautiful new business.

“We are so excited that Jeseka and her family have been so thoughtful and so foresighted in creating Madison Avenue Boutique,” he said, drawing a cheer from the audience.

Williams said it was an example of how far the town has come.

“I think even 20 years ago if anybody said that Madison Avenue would come to Berlin, they would’ve laughed,” he said. “They’re not laughing anymore.”

“We think this is a wonderful addition and compliment to our downtown and that it will bring so many more folks, not only to live here, but to visit here in our community, and we wish you all the best,” Williams added.

Crowds also packed into The Dusty Lamb to welcome artist Patty Backer, who has displayed her work throughout the Berlin area for many years.

Her store is a showcase for her quirky and whimsical paintings and sculptures, and also carries small gift items of the same manner.

Backer, a Berlin native, was clearly moved by the early response. During her first hour of business, the store was overflowing with well wishers.

“This is amazing! It’s great. I’m super happy,” she said, adding the idea for the store was to carry “a crazy mix of everything that makes me happy.”

Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Larnet St. Amant said both shops would benefit the town.

“We’re so thrilled to have two brand-new businesses in town, doing everything from art to clothing,” she said. “Patty has been a member of this community for a really long time, and her art has been all through The Globe and Baked Desserts and different venues. Her work is beautiful, and she’s got every price point in here and covering everything from socks to art, so we’re thrilled to have her.

“Jeseka, with her new spin on fashion, is also going to be a great addition to our town. She’s going to bring a whole new clientele and we’re thrilled,” St. Amant added.

For more information on Madison Avenue Boutique, call 443-235-2188.

For more information on The Dusty Lamb, visit www.facebook.com/thedustylamb.