Happy Anniversaries

Coastal Palms Boutique and Gleeson’s Liquors Reach Milestones

Two Sea Isle City businesses are celebrating exciting milestones in Sea Isle this summer: Coastal Palms Boutique celebrates 10 colorful years in Sea Isle City as a go-to destination for bold fashion and beachy vibes. Meanwhile, Gleeson’s Liquors toasts to 15 years of serving top-tier wines, spirits, and stellar customer service along Route 9.

Coastal Palms owner Claudine Turbedsky

Coastal Palms Boutique

This summer marks a bright and colorful milestone for Sea Isle City’s beloved Coastal Palms Boutique. Nestled along the shore with its signature palm trees out front and vibrant storefront displays, Coastal Palms has become more than just a place to shop, it’s a destination for joy, self-expression, and community.

Interior of Coastal Palms

Owner Claudine Turbedsky started the boutique with a simple idea: to bring the charm and color of Palm Beach to the Jersey Shore. What began as an online shop while she was working full-time in Bucks County blossomed into a full-fledged storefront after a serendipitous conversation with an old friend led to an unexpected opportunity.

With her husband's encouragement and support, Coastal Palms opened its doors in 2015 and has been radiating good vibes ever since. Originally inspired by her fashion-loving mother and her early experiences working in local shops like Sunsations, Turbedsky channeled her creative flair and lifelong love for design into the boutique. She personally curates every item, mixing resort-ready fashion with accessories and home goods that reflect her bold, visual style.

“Even when I was a teen, I was wearing turquoise jeans when everyone else wore denim,” she says with a laugh.

Running Coastal Palms has been a true labor of love. “I’ve put my life into this,” Turbedsky says. “From cleaning bathrooms to buying inventory to greeting every customer, it’s pretty much a one-woman show.”

The boutique is open from April through early December, with extended summer hours seven days a week from 10am to 6pm. While Coastal Palms has received accolades, including a top-three finish for “Best Boutique in South Jersey” in 2019, Claudine values customer feedback most. Locals and second-homeowners return week after week, not just for the merchandise, but for the experience.

“People call it their happy place,” she shares. “Even on a rainy day, they come in just to soak up the good energy.”

That spirit of warmth and authenticity extends to everything the boutique does. Whether it’s offering honest style advice or training her team to deliver outstanding service, Turbedsky ensures that everyone who walks through the door feels welcomed, seen, and celebrated.

After a decade of hustle and heart, Turbedsky recently hit a personal milestone, purchasing a condo in Naples, Fla., a goal she set when the boutique first opened. “I promised my husband I’d make this dream happen in 10 years,” she says. “We did it in nine.”

With a decade behind her and many more beach seasons ahead, Coastal Palms Boutique remains a happy place for everyone in Sea Isle.

Newly renovated interior of Gleeson's Liquors

Gleeson's Liquors

This June, Gleeson’s Liquors proudly celebrates 15 years of business along Route 9, a location that has transformed from a cabinet showroom and construction office into one of Cape May County’s most trusted stops for fine wines, spirits, and everything in between.

Gleeson's Liquors owner Tom Gleeson

Family-owned and deeply rooted in the community, Gleeson’s began with a vision long before the liquor license was even secured. A construction company originally owned the corner property. The Gleeson family knew this prime spot just outside of town was ideal.

“My dad, Tom Gleeson, just knew this location was going to be a home run,” says Megan Gleeson, the general manager of the store.

The road to opening wasn’t without a few twists. After initially losing the liquor license at auction, they got a second chance when it came back around and seized the opportunity. On June 10, 2010, Gleeson’s Liquors opened its doors for the first time, and the family hasn’t looked back since. Over the past 15 years, Gleeson’s has adapted to changing tastes and trends. From a full renovation earlier this year to expanded selections of high-end bourbons, craft cocktail ingredients, and emerging products like canned cocktails and complex bitters, the store continues to evolve with its customers.

“We’re seeing people lean into more elevated cocktail experiences at home,” Gleeson notes. “It’s been exciting to adapt to that.”

The team at Gleeson’s knows what really matters: their loyal customers and stellar staff.

“Our staff is truly the heart of this operation,” Gleeson says. “They make the store run like a well-oiled machine, and people tell us all the time how great their experience is.”

Open year-round, Gleeson’s sees peak business during the summer, but it has noticed a growing appreciation for the fall season, too. With local festivals and beautiful weather stretching the tourist calendar, they continue to thrive beyond the traditional Memorial Day-to-Labor Day window.

This summer, Gleeson’s will operate under expanded seasonal hours: Monday through Thursday from 9am to 9pm, Fridays and Saturdays until 10pm, and Sundays from 10am to 9pm.

As Gleeson’s Liquors toasts to 15 years, the store remains committed to staying ahead of the curve, providing excellent customer service, and keeping the community’s glasses full!