FENWICK ISLAND – Customer service.
That, Nancy Ruppert says, is what’s kept Body Double Swimwear in business. There’s little doubt she’s right as the Fenwick Island store celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.
“That’s a big part of what’s made us last,” Ruppert said. “People like getting waited on.”
Body Double Swimwear, located on Route 1 in Fenwick Island, carries more than 45 brands of bathing suits as well as a selection of bags, clothing and accessories. It’s changed in the three decades since Ruppert started making clothes in her home.
“I was making everything from wedding gowns to slip covers,” she said.
It was swimwear however that customers started asking for more and more. In those days, Ruppert explained, swimsuits didn’t come in the array of sizes they do today.
“People would come to me with a picture and say ‘can you make this to fit me,’” she said.
In an effort to take advantage of the area’s tourist traffic, Ruppert eventually moved the business from her home to a storefront. Though her retail space was originally filled with her own creations, as national brands began to expand their offerings she gradually transitioned to an inventory made up of their swimsuits.
“As things evolved I brought in other lines,” she said.
What makes the store unique is the attention paid to one-on-one customer service. When shoppers come in Ruppert and her employees are quick to offer assistance. They do more than simply direct customers to what they’re looking for—once they know a person’s taste, they suggest additional options and offer advice on sizing.
“We’ll put them in a dressing room and just keep bringing them suits,” Ruppert said, adding that that way customers didn’t have to keep dressing and undressing each time they wanted to try a different size or style. “We know the brands and how they fit.”
With more than 45 different brands, there are a variety of options for shoppers whether they’re looking for a designer suit or something popular among teenagers. Brands include Miraclesuit, Trina Turk, Tommy Bahama, Nanette Lepore, L*Space and Becca among many others.
Ruppert says the majority of the store’s clients are repeat customers who visit the shop every year. The store is a destination in itself and doesn’t require the foot traffic that some retail establishments do.
“We pretty quickly developed a regular clientele,” she said. “They’re coming here to buy a swimsuit.”
For more information visit Body Double on Facebook or call 302-537-1444.
