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16712 Kings Hway
Lewes, DE
(302)645-6661 ��� (800)321-3839

Rehoboth Beach Office
702 Rehoboth Ave
Rehoboth Beach, DE
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Bette Gallo Named Rehoboth Beach Citizen of the Year 2009

The Rehoboth Beach Main Street organization has selected Bette Gallo, President of Prudential Gallo, REALTORS, as its 2009 Rehoboth Beach Citizen of the Year.

Bette was asked to be a member of the board of directors of Rehoboth Beach Main Street from its beginning in 1995.  She served as Treasurer for several years and heen an active board member for many more.  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 enhancinig 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 and Sal have 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 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 Outlet Stores, 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 very 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
• Regulary financially supports:  Beebe Hospital, RBMS events like the annual Fireworks display, 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, 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
• Financially supported capital campaigns for Beebe Medical Center, The Rehoboth Beach Museum, CAMP Rehoboth, Lewes Canalfront Park

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