KDHamptons

KDHamptons: How long have you been coming to Shelter Island?  Why do you love it so much?

Jen Mankins: This is my 11th summer coming to Shelter Island. I love the peace and quiet and slow pace of island life, the beautiful old trees, the calm clear water and nothing takes my city stress away faster than boarding the north ferry in Greenport.

KDHamptons: All of your stores are in Brooklyn, so why did you decide to open a store in Shelter Island?

Jen: I have always harbored a fantasy of opening a little beach shack and the perfect spot opened up this year on the island. Everyone told me I needed to open in East Hampton or Montauk, but that to me is like saying my city stores should be on the Upper East Side or SoHo. I think the Shelter Island lifestyle is quite on par with Brooklyn and makes perfect sense.

KDHamptons: Some say you have created “The Brooklyn Look”.  What do you think is the “Shelter Island Look”?

Jen: Everyone on Shelter Island has a great sense of style, but there is definitely a relaxed and laid-back vibe to the island that translates into the look. Easy summer dresses and bohemian tops, light button-up shirts for men and lots of swimsuits and cover-ups. Easy sandals and espadrilles with simple jewelry, sunglasses and a sun hat.

KDHamptons: How is shopping at Beach Bird different from your Bird stores in Brooklyn?

Jen: My mantra for the shop is “cheap and cheerful” because I wanted everything to be easy breezy, colorful, flowing and nothing that will break the bank. I also added lots of beach specific beauty products and tons of books and ceramics, things that are good for birthday/host presents.

KDHamptons: Describe your perfect Shelter Island/Hamptons summer day in detail.

Jen: Wake up late and have a breakfast of fresh farm eggs and seasonal fruit. Take a long walk or run by the water followed by a swim. Make a big picnic for the beach and head out on the boat to anchor up with friends. Laze away the afternoon reading a good book and making sand castles with my nieces and nephews and maybe some paddle boarding or water skiing if I am feeling sporty. After the beach I am always craving a refreshing summer cocktail like an Aperol Spritz which I drink on the deck or the dock and watch the light fade. Then I cook a giant meal of fresh salads and grilled fish and veggies for my whole family followed by ice cream of course!

KDHamptons: Describe your personal style.  Do you dress differently on the Island versus Brooklyn?

Jen: I definitely have an island look. I wear tie-dye dresses, cut-off shorts, white jeans, flip flops, lots of stripes and always a sun hat!

KDHamptons: What is the best part about your job?

Jen: Working with designers, helping customers discover beautiful new collections, basically selling gorgeous things that make people happy!

KDHamptons: What is your favorite item at Beach Bird now?

Jen: We have these amazing brass bottle openers created by a design collective in Brooklyn called Fort Standard. They are so chic and cool looking that you will want to leave them out on the kitchen counter!

KDHamptons: What is your favorite Shelter Island/Hamptons restaurant?  What is your favorite dish?

Jen: Oh it is hard to narrow down….On the island I swing between Commander Cody’s on the casual side, the best ribs and fried shrimp around and Vine Street for a proper fancy meal. Two out of three times I order the crispy duck confit, it is heavenly! We don’t often stray far from the island, but when we do, I love Bay Burger and Estias in Sag Harbor and The Blue Canoe and Noah’s in Greenport.

KDHamptons: If you could invite any three people [dead, alive, or fictional] to your next Hamptons dinner party, whom would you choose ?

Jen: Fun dinner parties depend on an eclectic and passionate cast of characters. I would love to invite the artists and writers that spent time out on the east end, both past and present. The painters Fairfield Porter or Willem de Kooning, the writers Colson Whitehead or F. Scott Fitzgerald and definitely someone funny like Alec Baldwin or Jerry Seinfeld.

KDHamptons: What is your summer mantra?

Jen: Max tan!

Beach Bird is located at 183 North Ferry Road.  To shop online click here