For Sale: 'The Inlet' Clothing Boutique

Everything is on sale at The Inlet—including the business. The small clothing boutique off Main Street is looking for a buyer after 15 years as a Northport fixture. 

owner Cheryl D’Antonio describes her shop as an "off-price boutique” which specializes in casual men’s and women’s clothing, handbags, jewelry and other accessories. She originally opened the store about 15 years ago when her son was an infant and she no longer wanted to commute to Manhattan to work.

With the encouragement of her husband, who was also in the off-price wholesale business, D’Antonio opened her store in the space previously occupied by the Hawaiian Surf Shop.

It turned out to be a wonderful fit.

“It was a great lifestyle. I worked as much as I wanted,” said D’Antonio of the flexible schedule that she enjoyed as the shop’s owner, adding that she worked a few days a week and her employees kept things humming the rest of the time.

Now that her son is a high school student, D'Antonio feels it’s time for her to move on, and the store will close at the end of the month unless she finds a buyer.

“I know that a lot of people will miss The Inlet,” said D’Antonio of the store that was not only a popular tourist destination but a place that residents gravitated to year-round for designer clothing finds, unique jewelry, teachers gifts, and, of course, fashionable summerwear.

 “It could be as good for someone else as it was for me.” 

The building is owned by Lee Holcomb and also houses his sign company, Northport Woodsmiths. Holcomb operated the Hawaiian Surf Shop in the 1,200 square foot space from 1982 to 1993 before selling it to D'Antonio, and said he'd be sad to see the Inlet go.

“The Inlet's been there 15 years. It’s unique; few stores carry menswear. It was quality at great prices. It’s a great opportunity for someone to step in and have a good, established business,” Holcomb said, adding that the new owner can infuse the store with his or her creativity and energy.

Recent years have seen a number of boutiques come and go on Main Street. Dorothy Walsh Fine Clothes, one of Main Street’s oldest businesses, closed when Walsh retired in 2007. The shop, which originally opened under the name of Esther Stevens Fine Clothes,  graced Main Street for 57 years.  The She Boutique, which opened in what was formerly Bowman’s Sporting Goods, had a run of only a few years.

Carlene Afetian’s Veronica Rayne Boutique, which opened in 2003, continues to thrive, and remains a hot spot for well-known labels as well as the edgy, one-of-a-kind creations of independent designers. The clothing boutique, Barefoot Image, which was known for casual women’s clothing, will re-open after a two-year hiatus.

To inquire about purchasing The Inlet, contact D’Antonio at (631) 262-9030.