RM 09, a new seasonal boutique, will open at the popular Haven Montauk Hotel [above] during Memorial Day weekend.  The small shop will carry an eclectic assortment of apparel, and beach accessories curated for the Montauk customer.  Named after the re-configured guestroom it occupies, RM 09 will present an opportunity to fill your tote with all the essentials for a weekend at the beach.

“The store is meant to enhance the guest experience,” shares owner Eric Mourkakos.  “It’s more than just clothes on a rack.  We are planning some really fun events and pop-ups.”  RM 09 will carry apparel from popular indie brands, like Enjoué swimwear, jewelry from Amanda Pearl, handbags from Mar Y Sol, and custom beach paddles, boogie boards and hand-woven Turkish towels from ArteMare.  Selections for the kids include apparel from Indego Africa and even beach toys.

On select weekends, guests will be invited to join in on interactive experiences like making their own tie-dye T-Shirts with Wave-N-Rave’s Matthew Gebbert.  On Sundays, NYC’s PlantShed will host classes in succulent plant design and presentation featuring custom woven leather pots from the artisans at All Hands NYC.  KDHamptons chats with Eric about this great new Montauk shopping destination, below:

KDHamptons: How long have you been living / visiting the Hamptons? Why do you love it so much?

Eric: I have spent nearly all of my summers in Montauk since the age of 10 [I am 30].  My family has owned a house on The Sound for as long as I can remember.  It’s been amazing to watch Montauk evolve.  I know people speak about how inundated Montauk has become, but I think the part that some overlook regarding the modernization of this town, is that growth has actually been quite slow.  There is no Starbucks, no Whole Foods, cell service is extremely poor, there are very few retail chains.  The winters are incredibly harsh here, so if your business and you can survive it, then I think you deserve to stay.  When I am in Montauk, I spend my days fishing, gardening, and surfing. I completely disconnect.

Montauk gjrls outside of the new cool coffee shop, LEFT HAND Coffee

KDHamptons:  How would you describe the authentic look of a Montauk girl and guy with great style?

Eric:  Personally, I think the fabric of Montauk is multifaceted.  You have the ripped jeans, shirtless surfers, the fisherman with their boats namesake tshirt always on, the weekend girl with her amazing kaftan and espadrilles, and the always fashionable tots.  No matter the vibe, I think everyone in Montauk looks great, except…..and I say a BIG except, girls wearing their pointy heels.  Our streets are rough, mostly gravel and dirt.  Nothing looks worse than seeing a girl try to hobble across the street for the sake of “fashion”.   In Montauk, you can never go wrong with being chill.

KDHamptons:  What are three items at RM 09 that you think will be the hot sellers of summer?

Eric: Guests will love our custom paddle ball boards from ArteMare.  I anticipate them flying off the shelves.  The made-on-site vintage tie dye Tee’s from Wave n Rave.  I love this brand because the founder, Matthew Gebbert, is an executive with Giambattista Valli, a luxury couture brand, and he is spending his weekends just surfing and dying Tee’s in our picnic area with our guests.  That’s really cool.  Lastly, I predict that the items by All Hands, whom are Leather Artisans that make beautifully made, minimally processed leather goods, [hand bags, home goods, jewelry, and our very own store shelves] will certainly be a store favorite.  They make amazing weaved leather planters.  As you can see, my favorite elements of our store, are the ones in which guests will take part in the creative process, alongside some of our designers.

Unique new items for men, women, and home will be arriving all summer at RM 09.