New Shop, Beacheeky, Opens On North Fork

SOUTHOLD, NY — Visitors to the July 4 parade in Southold Thursday found a new shop open for business.

Beacheeky, located in the Feather Hill shopping plaza at the site of the former Hudson City Savings Bank, is a welcome addition for shoppers looking for a place to buy women's and men's apparel and cozy, fun beachwear— with bathing suits coming soon — in downtown Southold. The shop, which will be open year-round, also features candles, casual jewelry, including beach glass creations, and other giftware.

Owner Catherine Earl lives in Southold with her husband Jeff — who is retired from the Navy and a pilot for United Airlines — and has three boys, Corey, 27, Harley, 15, and Brady, 6.

Born in Massapequa, Earl has lived in a sea of coastal locales over the years, including Hawaii, San Diego, and the Gulf Coast, before setting down roots in Southold last fall.

The siren song of coastal living has always called to her, she said. "I'm a beach girl," Earl said.

Walking in to Beacheeky, Earl's penchant for the sand and sea is evident in her apparel choices, which range from jeans and shorts, mommy and me matching dresses, tops and sweaters to T-shirts and other garb in a range of prices with the focus on affordable quality.

Earl, a gemologist, originally thought of opening a fine jewelry store, but decided upon Beacheeky, a place where moms and daughters can shop together and friends can stop by for an afternoon of retail and fun; she was inspired by friends who've opened their own shops and found success. And, with her husband retiring from his career as a pilot in October and their family establishing a permanent base, she felt the time was right to spread her own wings and pursue a long-held dream.

"I love shopping," she said.

The business and its flexibility meshes perfectly with the schedule of a mom with kids in the Southold school district; there's a space upstairs where her children can spend time after school or during the times when her husband has to be away for a few days for flights.

Earl said she's missed working and looks forward to her new venture. A believer that everything happens when it's supposed to, and for a reason, she feels the stars were in alignment as she opened her doors for the first time.

In her own life, she had her youngest son at 45, after being told she'd never be able to become pregnant again. "He was the greatest surprise of our lives — and he's made us so happy," she said. From the time he was born, three weeks early on his big brother's 21st birthday, her youngest boy has burst into their lives, visible proof that miracles happen.

Her son has also shown her that some things are simply meant to be, Earl said. "There is a plan for us," she said.

And so, she said, at a time when some of her peers are beginning to think about retirement, she was pregnant at the same time as her friend's daughter, has found herself one of the older moms in her kindergarten class — and has just opened a new business and found herself realizing a lifelong dream.

One of the things she loves best, Earl said, is helping customers to find the perfect gift. She remembers buying her husband, also a musician, an iPod, something he'd never asked for or mentioned. "He loved it," she said. "It was something he never even knew he wanted."

Early is filled with plans for Beacheeky and greets new customers with a smile and the warmth of a longtime friend. A dog lover, she said pets are welcome at the shop

Southold, she said, is the perfect fit for her family, a laidback alternative to the Hamptons; she compares the hamlet to the beach Coronado resort area off San Diego, with the more upscale La Jolla akin to the South Fork.

"I love Southold," she said.

The feeling is clearly mutual: So far, she said, the North Fork community has come out in full force to open its arms to Earl. "Everyone has been so supportive and friendly," she said. "Everyone has really welcomed us."

Beacheeky is open 7 days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. but if the door is open and the lights are on, customers should feel free to walk in. For additional information, call 631-876-5666 or click here.