It’s always The Summer of Barbie for Freddie Lutz

October 5, 2023 9

This past summer was The Summer of Barbie for many people. For Freddie Lutz, owner of Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant, every summer is about Barbie. So are every fall, winter and spring, for that matter.

“I’ve enjoyed Barbie ever since I was a kid,” said Lutz recently in his Rehoboth Beach restaurant. “Ever since I was a little girl.”

Lutz opened his Rehoboth Beach location in October 2021, two decades after he opened the original Freddie’s in Arlington in 2001.

Lutz said he can remember playing with dolls in the first grade. He had a friend named Marilyn, who turned out to be a lesbian.

“I was playing with dolls, while she wanted to play cowboys and Indians,” said Lutz.

Lutz has been collecting Barbies, and dolls that look like Barbies but aren’t, for a long time. He doesn’t know how many he has, but both restaurants have display walls lined with them. In some areas, the dolls are stacked two high.

“It’s a big hit. People walk into the front door and often say, ‘Wow!’” he said.

The Barbies on display aren’t even all of Lutz’s collection.

“I have a room full of extra Barbies,” said Lutz. “People keep giving them to me.”

His favorite Barbie?

“Mine, of course,” said Lutz, pointing to the Barbie-style doll sitting in a cardboard box behind the bar.

There are all types of Barbie styles – a replica of the original, just about every profession possible, special editions and Ken dolls. He said he thinks the gay Ken doll is funny. His cardboard box is a closet, so when it’s opened up, he’s coming out of the closet, said Lutz, laughing.

As big a fan as he is of Barbie, Lutz said he didn’t know about the movie until everyone else found out about it. He said he’s seen the movie and loved it.

“I was very excited. Like a little girl,” said Lutz. “I was giddy.”