Business Buzz
New businesses and celebrations are heating up this summer in Avalon and Stone Harbor. The Local Beanz, a new sister-owned boutique with a coffee shop twist, will be open from 7am to 7pm daily. Closet Boutique celebrates 20 years of providing fashion and forming relationships with customers. Avalon Prime, which is the newest addition to the ICONA Windrift resort, is open as Avalon’s one and only steakhouse.
Hannah and Libby Bostard of The Local Boutique and Beanz Cafe
The Local Boutique and Beanz Cafe
9505 Third Ave., Stone Harbor
thelocalsh.com
Avalon’s newest hot spot, The Local Beanz, is quickly becoming a must-visit for locals and visitors alike. Opened just in time for Memorial Day, this charming business blends a curated boutique with a vibrant coffee bar, making it a one-stop shop.
It is the brainchild of sisters Hannah and Libby Bostard, who grew up on the Seven Mile Beach and were surrounded by entrepreneurs. The Local Beanz is inspired by the sisters’ travels to Bali and Australia, as well as their local roots.
“We saw so many cool spaces where people could shop while sipping a latte,” they explained. Pulling in customers who pop in to shop for clothes or jewelry and those looking for their morning pick-me-up, the store is rapidly gaining attention.
From skincare and perfumes to fashion-forward finds from brands like DÔEN and Faithfull the Brand, and sustainable and delicious coffee options, The Local Beanz has you covered. A highlight of the store is its handmade merchandise, blending brands they love and their own elevated artistic vision.
After their successful grand opening, the owners have found it extremely rewarding to have customers coming from near and far to check out their storefront in Stone Harbor. With plans to stay open year-round, The Local Beanz is already redefining what a beach town boutique can be.
The shop is open daily from 7am to 7pm, accommodating to both early-morning and late-afternoon coffee drinkers. Stop in to The Local Beanz for the best of both worlds (coffee and shopping!).
Robin Anzalone Barnoski and Danielle O’Hara of Closet Boutique
Closet Boutique
2509 Dune Drive, Avalon
closetboutiqueavalon.com | 609-368-7400
Closet Boutique celebrates its 20th year in Avalon: Lauren Anzalone Ryan and Robin Anzalone Barnoski first opened the boutique on June 16, 2006.
Growing up in Stone Harbor, they saw the need for a stylish boutique. Since then, Lauren moved to Pennsylvania and is raising her three children, and Danielle O’Hara acquired her portion of the business in 2019.
Danielle and Robin bring in their own personal style into their business. Closet Boutique has a beautiful mix to satisfy any stylish woman. Between Robin’s boho chic style of sweaters, T-shirts, and baggy jean shorts, and Danielle’s feminine style of dresses and heels, they cover all their bases.
The owners are proud to have dressed women through generations. They believe the friendships made at the boutique are an important factor to their success.
Says Danielle: “We want people to feel like they are walking into their own closet, comfortable and inspired and full of amazing things to choose from.”
Danielle shared her most memorable moment at Closet Boutique. Among the many relationships formed, one stood out. The customer would come in weekly, usually on Sundays, for many summers. She came in one day a few years ago because she needed something to wear on a blind date. Week after week, the customer would return with stories of more dates turning into a serious relationship. One night after closing, Danielle and Robin heard someone at the door, and it was the customer with the wonderful news of her engagement from what started as a blind date.
This is just one of the many strong relationships formed inside the Closet Boutique. Danielle and Robin have fostered such a beautiful community alongside their passion for clothing. Open 10am-8pm all summer, be sure to stop in and celebrate 20 years of Closet Boutique.
Ali Wolfington, Eustace Mita, and Julie Yeager of Avalon Prime.
Avalon Prime
105 80th St., Avalon
609-368-5761 | avalonprime.com
Avalon Prime held its grand-opening celebration on Thursday, June 12, making it the only steakhouse in Avalon. It is located on the beachfront of the ICONA Windrift Resort.
Eustace Mita, chairman and CEO of ICONA Resorts, grew up in Avalon and Stone Harbor and saw an opportunity. Realizing that the majority of the restaurants on the island offer Italian fare, Mita knew adding a steakhouse would be a welcome addition for the residents and visitors alike.
To ensure Avalon Prime would stand out, Mita and the design team opted to stray from the classic dimly lit interiors found in most top steakhouses. The team capitalized on the stellar views and natural light that its beachfront location has to offer and selected the furnishings with a seashore vibe in mind. It spared no expense, offering its customers comfortable booth seating and exquisite wall decor to enhance their coastal dining experience. Avalon Prime is truly original and stands out on the Seven Mile Beach not only for its culinary offerings, but for its commitment to hospitality.
Mita stressed the three things he looks for in his team members: “One, a passion for people. Two, a heart for hospitality. And three, you have to understand hospitality is literally a ministry to us.”
Avalon Prime is open 5-9pm Sunday through Thursday, 5-10pm Friday and Saturday.
Chris Tracy, Carlos Liverani and Vinny Patalano of Verse
Verse
Coming soon to Seven Mile Beach
versedrink.com
Avalon native Chris Tracy and his two business partners, Vinny Patalano and Carlos Liverani, founded a startup beverage brand called Verse.
Verse targets two main audiences: those seeking to elevate their drinking experiences in restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, as well as those looking for an elevated and functional non-alcoholic option in these same settings. Crafted from familiar juices like pineapple, cranberry, and orange, Verse takes things a step further by removing all of the sugar and replacing it with monk fruit and functional ingredients. Each bottle is infused with electrolytes for hydration, nootropics for clarity, and adaptogens to help your body detoxify. The result? A drink that not only tastes good but also helps you feel better the next day.
Originally reaching retailers and venues in South Florida, Verse is expanding this summer to popular vacation destinations in the Northeast. Specifically targeting New York and Philadelphia vacationers, Verse is making its way to the Jersey Shore and the Hamptons. Tracy, having a soft spot for Seven Mile Beach, is focusing on bringing it to popular spots in Avalon and Stone Harbor. There is also an option to order the beverages online. Says Tracy: “It’s a good problem to have, but our biggest problem has been keeping up with demand.”
Whether you use it as a premium mixer or sip it straight from the bottle, Verse is designed for people who want to celebrate the moment without compromising tomorrow. Coming soon to the Seven Mile Beach, check out Verse drinks to elevate your weekend Down the Shore.