bellhaus – Hamptons Chatter

Ok, remember that fancy men’s store Belhause in Wainscott. Yeah, they were trying to be the Fred Segal or Jeffrey of the Hamptons and it just didn’t work. Well back in December of 2009, the show was loaded up and shipped out in the middle of the night. Literally!

Well, the space has now been occupied. So, is it a good Mexican restuarant? A Pottery Barn? A gourmet market like Whole Foods or Trader Joes? Is it anything we really want in the Hamptons!? Wishful thinking folks, it’s a Sleepy’s! YES… ANOTHER SLEEPY’S!!! Now, by my count that makes 5 for the Hamptons area from Hampton Bays to East Hampton!! I know there is a need with rentals for new mattresses every now and then but do we really need 5!!!? Maybe folks in the Hamptons are sluttier and more promiscuous than I thought. I have visions of mattress filled rooms with weekly bacchinals all season long! Of course we need more mattresses! By the way, I bought all of the mattresses at my house at… you guessed it, Sleepy’s! If you dont’ have a Sleepy’s near you, visit them at www.sleepys.com

Now a quick note of caution. I want to first say, I love Twice Upon A Bagel. They have some of the best bagels in town and their sandwiches are pretty awesome. The problem I have is with their cupcakes, they’re two for two with me. Both times I bought cupcakes there (and I’m not talking buying the day olds) they were stale! They were like little confectionary rocks with sprinkles!! Come on guys, good bagels… great tuna salad… great salmon.. YOU CAN DO BETTER. So my advice is buy the bagels but skip the cupcakes. By the way, please don’t say it. I know I shouldn’t be buying cupcakes anyway.

Here’s another to add to the ’09 casualty list. Well, I can’t say it was a shock.. but apparently the bell has tolled for Bellhaus! Fashionista (whatever that really mean’s I’m not sure) Sean Bell’s foray into Hamptons Couture officially… or should we say surreptitiously bit the dust last night. Oh my god where can I buy $4000 leather Lacroix pants for next year’s July 4th Beach party?!?!??!?

The store which had it’s grand opening hosted by Kelly Ripa and her husband Mark Ripa was a virtual ghost town from day one. By the way,nothing says glamor to me like Jersey’s own Kelly Ripa. Why they just didn’t get Sam Champion I’ll never know. No telling what will go next into what I think is a cursed location. My suggestion!?! Give us a Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware or Whole Foods in the Hamptons…. THESE ARE STORES WE WOULD ACTUALLY SHOP AT!!!?

Next on my retail/restaurant death watch??? Brooks Brothers in East Hampton and Rugosa Restaurant Wainscott.

About Me

First off, all of the opinions in the blog are my own and don't represent the views of any organization and or company.

I'm a results-driven real estate specialist with more than 20 years of listing and selling experience while also managing for Douglas Elliman for close to 12 years. I think between my own experience in sales and having managed close to 25 agents for nearly a decade, there are really very few scenarios I haven't seen. I know how to deal with the difficult deals, I've done it before and I think for the consumer having this kind of experience is extremely valuable.

Originally from New Jersey, I studied Communications and English Literature at Catholic University of America in Washington, DC and George Washington University. After that I moved to Manhattan for almost 20 years working in the television industry as a producer and senior producer for Fox News Channel, producer of "Good Day New York," and at CNBC, The Sally Jesse Raphael Show, MTV and PBS – WNET.

My motto: It's all about relationships, and taking the time to really listen to what customers want.

As far as I know… no bedbugs in the Hamptons… but we seem to need a lot of beds!!! Plus good bagel…bad cupcake!

…. AND ANOTHER ONE’S GONE AND ANOTHER ONE’S GONE.