Shore Shops
By Alexa Lesniak
Ever wonder how your favorite Stone Harbor and Avalon shops got started? Join us as we delve into the history of each store and seek answers to a variety of questions. Owners have a chance to tout their favorite items, colors, trends, and upcoming promotions for the season. Seven Mile Beach is home to so many amazing stores, and we welcome another wonderful season with plenty of shopping days and sunshine.
Blufish: Eileen LaPenta & Whitney Kotzman
2320 Dune Drive, Avalon | 609-368-0900 bluefishav.com
What trends and colors are you loving this summer?
A trend we love, which is a hallmark of BluFish, is sophisticated coastal. It’s lighter, fresher, and more elevated. Think organic materials and layered textures, along with hints of color. Blues will always be part of our signature look, but green is very much having a moment in 2026! You’ll find lots of fun pops of emerald green in the store this year.
What’s one thing first-time visitors should know about your store?
If I had to pick one thing, it would be that the talented team at BluFish will go above and beyond to help you create a beautiful home. Whether a customer is just stopping in to find that perfect piece of art or they wish to work with us to furnish their brand-new home, we will get to know you, your project, and will provide boutique-style, personalized customer service.
What’s the best compliment a customer has ever given you?
“I wouldn’t go anywhere but BluFish.”
Which item in the store best captures the spirit of summer?
The hazy, lazy days of summer are for sun and fun, games and game tables! We have a display featuring a beautiful Worlds Away game table to play the hottest game in town: mahjong! Our mahjong travel sets are so colorful and fun, and getting quite the buzz.
What’s one thing you’re especially excited about this season?
Adding to our sophisticated, trusted vendors, we now feature Interlude Home, which offers beautiful, modern coastal collections. The dining and bedroom pieces are stunning – stop in and see for yourself!
The Spot: Anne McCabe
2544 Dune Drive, Avalon & 9704 Third Ave.,
Stone Harbor | 609-961-3849 & 609-830-2078 thespotav.com
What inspired you to open your store and how long have you been in business?
David Markle and I founded The Spot in 2015. Avalon was our original location, and this year marks our 11th year! We saw a need for premium casual men’s and women’s clothing in town and decided to open The Spot. Six years ago, we expanded and opened our Stone Harbor location.
What trends and colors are you loving this summer?
We are loving everything red, white, and blue, and USA-themed this summer. Especially the Original Retro Brand USA shirts and East Coast Tees’ American sweatshirts.
What’s one thing you’re especially excited about this season?
We are excited for warm weather, great sunsets, and living that Seven Mile life in comfortable clothing.
What’s one thing first-time visitors should know about your store?
First-time visitors should know that we have a women’s section. We carry soft, wearable, everyday clothing. Need something casual or something fancy? We have it. We specialize in carrying your favorite shirt and all your closet staples.
Which item in the store best captures the spirit of summer?
The Faherty “Men’s All Day Short” is cut like regular chino shorts but is made from bathing suit material. You can wear them to the beach, golfing, boating, and out to dinner, which is what the Seven Mile summer is all about.
Bits & Bows: Sarah Shelby
9504 Third Ave., Stone Harbor | 412-496-9133 shopbitsandbows.com
What trends and colors are you loving this summer?
If you step foot in the store, you know we’re partial to pink and blue! No color combination could ever beat blue and white for me – classic, coastal, chic, and always a gentle nod to nature’s beauty.
What’s one thing first-time visitors should know about your store?
It is beyond a privilege to welcome you in, and we have something for everyone – from baby to youth to junior to adult! Our mission as a company is to create products that inspire the celebration and discovery of more of life’s everyday magic – from the court to the green, and everywhere in between. I’ve always found that the profundity of purposefully made products transcends from tangible items into intangible moments and memories. To now get to create custom Stone Harbor and Avalon products that are instilled with every icon of the beach haven we grew up falling in love with is just such a gift to share.
What has been your most successful event or promotion?
Our Morning Tales Story Times – select mornings at 10:30 – and Putt-Putt Nights, with proceeds to benefit a local cause – have been such a fun way to engage with our customers and the local community. Nothing beats that in-store connection!
Which item in the store best captures the spirit of summer?
If not the quintessential Stone Harbor or Avalon sweatshirt, it would have to be one of our bestselling straw-style hats, The Harbor or The Lifeguard Hat.
What’s one thing you’re especially excited about this season?
To spend it in Stone Harbor, of course! Being back in our happy place for America’s 250th Birthday feels like the ultimate celebration.
The Preppy Palm: Rose Adelizzi-Bostard
2533 Dune Drive, Avalon | 609-368-7300 preppypalm.com
What inspired you to open your store and how long have you been in business?
My store started out as a small venue for me to sell my handmade wares like handbags, belts, and headbands, but it grew to the size it is today. We have been in business for 22 years.
What trends and colors are you loving this summer?
I always love summer; the bright colors change the whole look of the store. As for trends, it is all about Mahjong!
What’s one thing first-time visitors should know about your store?
We offer something for everyone: all ages, all prices. And we are open every day (except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day).
What has been your most successful event or promotion?
Black Friday is our biggest event every year and a way to say thank you to the community. It is an absolutely must-attend event.
What’s the story behind your storefront or décor?
I am so grateful for the size of our store because it gives our customers the room to really browse. We also have the “man chair” if you know, you know.
What’s the best compliment a customer has ever given you?
“This is our favorite store.” “We stop here before we go to our house.” “Everyone who works here is so nice.”
Which item in the store best captures the spirit of summer?
All the beautiful sundresses. There is something for everyone.
What’s one thing you’re especially excited about this season?
Celebrating the country’s 250th birthday. It is sure to be a very exciting time in Avalon.
Armadillo, Ltd.: Jacquie Ewing
2761 Dune Drive, Avalon | 609-368-3000 @armadillo_ltd
What trends and colors are you loving this summer?
I’m loving that there are no rules and that people are not afraid to mix colors and be more adventurous in their selections for their beach retreat. Pale sage and leafy greens mix easily with all interior color choices, as do taupe and pale pink sand.
What’s one thing first-time visitors should know about your store?
That we are a fun boutique, and we have a sense of humor, and the look of the shop, like the name, is not predictable. Eclecticism is the best description. Shoppers know that we are constantly bringing in new lines that make no sense being in a beach shop.
What’s the best compliment a customer has ever given you?
There are three: “We love that the shop is open year-round,” “We always find the perfect item,” and “I wish there was a store like yours where I live.”
What has been your most successful event or promotion?
Our Instagram posts have not only been fun but also successful. The posts have resulted in raising awareness of the shop and our style. And resulted in new customers coming to check us out.
Which item in the store best captures the spirit of summer?
Our one-of-a-kind sculpted fish are hand-made in Italy. They are just hysterical and cool works of art.
What’s one thing you’re especially excited about this season?
The letter-and-number wall tiles from Portugal. It is so fun to see customers spell their own story.
She Be Surfin’: Colette Brogan
2516 Dune Drive, Avalon & 221 96th St.,
Stone Harbor | 609-967-3110 & 609-368-3682 shebesurfin.com
What inspired you to open your store and how long have you been in business?
I always loved to shop at the local surf shops, but they had a very small women’s department. I opened She Be Surfin’ to fill that need, and this will be my 21st year in business.
What trends and colors are you loving this summer?
I am loving the mock neck sweatshirt trend and all of the USA apparel.
What’s one thing first-time visitors should know about your store?
We carry a large selection of swimwear!
Which item in the store best captures the spirit of summer?
I would say our bikinis best capture the spirit of summer.
What’s the story behind your storefront or décor?
My goal was to have a store that was bright and cheerful. Most stores organize their merchandise by brand, but I prefer to create displays by color.
What’s the best compliment a customer has ever given you?
The best compliments are when customers tell me that we have such a great selection of clothing.
What’s one thing you’re especially excited about this season?
I am excited about all of our new She Be Surfin’ logo apparel.
B. Hartzell: Bryn Hartzell
272 21st St., Avalon | shopbhartzell.com
What trends and colors are you loving this summer?
This summer, we’re loving bright coastal colors – coral, Kelly green, hydrangea blue, lemon yellow, and every shade of pink. We’re also seeing a huge trend toward playful, personality-filled pieces, from seafood towers, matchbooks, and travel-inspired needlepoint canvases to colorful silk scarves and unique gifts. Customers are gravitating toward items that feel joyful, vibrant, and full of personality – anything that captures that whimsical, summer-at-the-shore spirit. We’re also loving the renewed interest in creativity and analog hobbies. People are looking for ways to unplug, slow down, and do something with their hands. In addition to needlepoint for both adults and kids, we carry paint-by-number kits and our popular “Blind Date with a Book” selections. They’re perfect for a rainy beach day, a quiet afternoon on the porch, or simply taking a break from screens and tapping into your creativity for a little while.
What has been your most successful event or promotion?
Our in-store stitching events and classes have been incredibly successful because they bring people together. Customers love having a space to learn, socialize, and share ideas. We have “Snack & Stitches” every Wednesday at the store, along with more advanced stitching classes. You can check out all our events at shopbhartzell.com.
What’s one thing you’re especially excited about this season?
We’re especially excited about bringing more people together through classes, stitching events, and creative collaborations. There’s such incredible enthusiasm around needlepoint right now, and it’s been wonderful to see both seasoned stitchers and complete beginners finding joy in the craft.
Wave One: Colette Brogan
221 96th St. #225, Stone Harbor | 609-368-0050 waveonesports.com
What inspired you to open your store and how long have you been in business?
Wave One has been in business since 1989. My brother-in-law started the business, and I became his business partner in 2007.
What trends and colors are you loving this summer?
The Mock Neck Sweatshirt and patriotic colors.
What’s one thing first-time visitors should know about your store?
We carry a large selection of heavyweight Stone Harbor and Avalon sweatshirts.
What has been your most successful event or promotion?
Probably when we featured live mannequins in the window.
What’s the story behind your storefront or décor?
We have a large surf boat in our store, which is how Wave One got its name.
What’s the best compliment a customer has ever given you?
The best compliment is when customers tell us that they buy a sweatshirt in our store every summer.
Which item in the store best captures the spirit of summer?
Our USA Mock Neck Sweatshirts best capture the spirit of summer.
What’s one thing you’re especially excited about this season?
I am excited about all of our new Kane Recovery shoes. We have kids’ and adult sizes and even more colors than last summer.
Sound Advice: Anna Heacock
336 96th St., Stone Harbor | 609-368-2626 visitsoundadvice.com
What trends are you loving this summer?
This summer’s biggest audio/video trends are immersive outdoor entertainment, smart home AV, invisible speakers, spatial audio systems that automatically adapt to your environment, and ultra-bright outdoor TVs.
What’s one thing first-time visitors should know about your store?
First-time visitors should know that Sound Advice & Video may have a small showroom, but don’t let that fool you! We’ve been in business for 20-plus years, offering competitive pricing with friendly, local customer service you won’t find at a chain store. From TVs and audio systems to smart home, security, and custom installation, we’re here to help you find the right solution. And if you don’t see what you’re looking for, just ask — we can usually order it for you!
What has been your most successful event or promotion?
Our most successful event has always been the Arts & Seafood Festival in Avalon. We believe in supporting our community, and so, to us, that festival represents a time where we can do that. Come join us this October in our Sound Advice lounge, where we stream the local football games!
What’s the story behind your storefront or décor?
Sound Advice & Video has a bright, welcoming feel with light, inviting colors, a custom mural, and an eye-catching Samsung Frame TV that makes a great first impression the moment you walk in.
Which item in the store best captures the spirit of summer?
We are big fans of the Sonos Move 2. It is a great portable speaker for both indoors and outdoors, and its volume and sound quality are unmatched.
Global Pursuit: Angela Marsh
262 96th St., Stone Harbor | 4000 Pleasure Ave., Sea Isle City | 609-368-5556 shopglobalpursuit.com
What inspired you to open your store and how long have you been in business?
We bought Global Pursuit in Stone Harbor over 15 years ago. We wanted to be a part of the local fabric of the town and believed in the previous owners’ mission to sell brands with a conscience. Many of our brands have environmental or social missions, like Patagonia.
What trends and colors are you loving this summer?
Browns are trending this year, as well as mock necks; we love the new lines from Marine Layer, both men’s and women’s.
What’s one thing first-time visitors should know about your store?
Stone Harbor is a family beach town and we stock clothing for the whole family.
What has been your most successful event or promotion?
We, and the community, love the Sidewalk Sale at the end of the summer!
What’s the story behind your storefront or décor?
Our building is historic and has been a retail store for decades. We try to evoke the seasons in our windows and always feature the apparel of whichever Philadelphia professional team is in season.
Which item in the store best captures the spirit of summer?
Mock neck sweaters with “Stone Harbor” embroidered on the front are coming soon!
Here Comes the Sun: Cara Jones
2101 Ocean Drive, Avalon | 609-961-3258 herecomesthesunavalon.com
What trends and colors are you loving this summer?
Light blues and soft pastels are having a moment this summer. Vintage florals, crinkle fabrics, and elevated minimalism in swimwear are trending. Knits, breezy button-downs, pull-on beach pants, and multi-way sarongs are popular for cover-ups.
What’s one thing first-time visitors should know about your store?
We are not just swimwear! We carry an extensive line of dresses, skirts, and cashmere sweaters as well as unique beach accessories, jewelry, and footwear.
What has been your most successful event or promotion?
Every year during the Fourth of July week, we feature a swimwear promotion offering discounts on select swimwear.
What’s the best compliment a customer has ever given you?
Customers often compliment us on our curated selection of clothing and are thrilled that we offer swimwear for all ages and body types. Our swim collections range from string bikinis to full-coverage one-pieces, swim skirts, and tankinis.
Which item in the store best captures the spirit of summer?
Our colorful prints and easy, breezy fabrics are perfect for warm days in Avalon.
What’s one thing you’re especially excited about this season?
This summer, we are introducing a few new brands to the island in swim, resort wear, and woven beach bags. We hope summer residents and visitors will stop by and take a look!
Seashore Ace: Mary Jo, James & Scott Fisher
260 96th St., Stone Harbor | 609-368-3191 seashoreace.com
What trends and colors are you loving this summer?
For the summer of 2026, we are seeing a trend in deep-seating outdoor furniture, grills, and speakers. With the Turtlebox speaker, whether you’re out on the water, having a bonfire on the beach or a poolside cookout, you’ll wow your guests with a powerful sound that just won’t quit. Built for the outdoors, with a party mode to connect multiple speakers at once, Turtlebox speakers are the perfect addition to your entertaining arsenal. As for trending colors for this season, we are seeing a spike in blues and naturals like sand and warm grays.
What’s one thing first-time visitors should know about your store?
First-time visitors should know that we are a very unique store. We not only supply hardware, but our selection of high-quality outdoor furniture, giftware, and beach supplies truly sets us apart from other Ace stores. We have all your needs in one store for your vacation, beach house, or year-round residence.
What has been your most successful event or promotion?
Our most successful events are always our end-of-year Tent Sale featuring our outdoor furniture collection and our annual Contractor Day, where we show our appreciation for all our local contractors and painters. We supply food, giveaways, and much more. Both events are special to our store alone, and we have a large turnout every year!
Which item in the store best captures the spirit of summer?
The best items that capture the spirit of summer would have to be our Frankford Umbrellas, Shibumi Shades, and our Bogg Bags! Don’t forget to pick up a Yeti item as well to keep your summer drinks and snacks cool!
What’s the story behind your storefront or décor?
Our storefront windows change as trends change. We try to feature our best-selling items and/or new items that are brought into our store weekly.