Bette Gallo of Prudential Gallo Realtors named 2009 Citizen of the Year by Rehoboth Beach Main Street

As the cornerstone of Rehoboth Beach Main Street’s Community Unity Dinner, set for Sunday, December 6 from 4-7:00 PM at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, the spotlight is focused on one Rehoboth Beach Citizen of the Year.  For 2009, the Main Street Board of Directors selected Bette Gallo for the honor.

Bette was very proud to be asked to be a member of the Board of Directors of Rehoboth Beach Main Street in 1995.   She served as Treasurer for several years and had been an active board member up until April of this year.  In the formative years of Rehoboth Beach Main Street, Bette was very influential in educating business owners on the value of The Rehoboth Beach Main Street Organization and encouraged membership from those who were skeptical.  Most folks didn't realize that RBMS was focused on enhancing the "downtown" Rehoboth business climate and didn't see the need for another organization.  As is evident when we look outside these doors, we all realize the positive impact that RBMS has made on our city.   Bette was also a great help in influencing business owners to upgrade their outdoor signage to enhance Rehoboth streetscapes. 

Bette was able to have this impact on our vibrant business community and the city because she has played an active role in the community for over 30 years.  Although Prudential Gallo, REALTORS is celebrating their 30th year in business this year, Bette's Rehoboth Beach business experience goes back to 1973.  She and her husband Sal created many "firsts" in our beach community!  They introduced "subs" to the area when they opened The Yellow Submarine in the ocean block "Rehoboth Mall" on Rehoboth Avenue.  As is true for all of their businesses, the Yellow Submarine was truly a family affair . . . all the kids pitched in and even Sal's mother made the home-made cannolis  . . . another "first" for the beach resort!  Always thinking ahead, Bette and Sal then opened the "L & S" Clothing Outlet, a pre-curser to our Tanger Outlets, selling manufacturer overstocks!  In the years following, they also ran an ice-cream shop, a jewelry store and were partners in creating The California Sunshine Shops  . . . all of which they which they gave up when they opened "Gallo Realty" and began focusing on Real Estate in 1979.

With experience in all types of resort businesses, it was natural that Bette's niche turned out to be commercial leasing and sales in downtown Rehoboth.  She became the "Go To" person for anyone thinking of buying, selling or leasing in Rehoboth Beach.   With many years of successful businesses under her belt, Bette knew what worked and what didn't.  It was, and is, general knowledge in the business community that as a REALTOR, Bette can be trusted to give you the straight scoop!  Her purpose is never to "make the commission", but to make sure that her customers and clients are successful in their endeavor.  Bette has probably talked more would-be business or property owners out of leasing or buying, than she's assisted in "writing the lease or contract!"  She truly believes that filling downtown Rehoboth's streets with viable & successful businesses and restaurants is what makes our city a place that people want to visit, live and work. 

Although not a native, she spent every summer in Rehoboth Beach as a child and could call no other place home.  She and her family are visible supporters of all types of organizations in Rehoboth Beach and the surrounding resort.  Here are just a few ways that Bette and her family and firm positively impact our resort region:  Prudential Gallo is part of the Adopt-A-Beach program and the firm regularly cleans the beach from Rehoboth Avenue to the Henlopen Hotel. 

Prudential Gallo regularly financially supports RBMS events like the annual fireworks display & Community Unity Dinner, St. Edmunds Church, the Rehoboth YMCA, Sussex County Association of REALTORS Annual Auction which benefits hundreds of needy children in our city and county, The Rehoboth Summer Children's Theatre, The Rehoboth Beach Film Festival, The Jefferson School & Comedy at the Beach, The Children's Beach House, The Lower Delaware Autism Foundation, Meals on Wheels, Taste the Fruit of the Vine Fundraiser, The Special Olympics Polar Bear Plunge and Beebe Medical Center.  Additionally, Bette financially supported capital campaigns for Beebe Medical Center, The Rehoboth Beach Museum, CAMP Rehoboth, and the Lewes Canalfront Park.

Bette Gallo will be honored by Main Street at the Dec. 6 Community Unity Dinner at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center. The award will be presented at about 6 PM. Residents and visitors alike are invited to the dinner from 4-7:00 PM. Tickets are available at the door: $8 Adults, $5 Seniors, Kids under 12 eat free (when accompanied by a paying adult) to enjoy holiday music by the Tim Laushey Trio, Santa, and Nicola’s awesome all-you-can-eat spaghetti feast. Bring your canned goods for a food drive benefiting Casa San Francisco, Sussex County Food Bank, Jusst Sooup Ministry, and more. Come dine downtown with us!

For more information call Rehoboth Beach Main Street at 302-227-2772 or see www.downtownrehoboth.com.