Southampton Mayor Tries To Save Longtime Clothing Shop: 'A True Loss'

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — If businesses are the soul of a community, then Dee Jays, a clothing boutique owned by Deborah and Jack Ohana in Southampton, might very well be part of the village's very heartbeat.

Despite almost 48 years, the Ohanas recently faced bad news.

"This spring, all good things at 11 Main Street are coming to an abrupt end," the owners wrote on Instagram. "Dee Jays has been forced to close its doors after almost 48 years of supporting and serving the Village of Southampton."

As with many small, locally owned and operated businesses in the Hamptons, the Ohanas said, "We were faced with renewing our lease at an exorbitant rent increase that we simply could not justify."

The building's owners could not immediately be reached for comment.

"Dee Jays was a true gem of Southampton Village and a fixture on Main St. for almost five decades. Debbie is a small business owner that the village has always cherished, and it is a shame that she will not be able to renew her lease."

Warren called for the landlord of Dee Jays to reconsider negotiations so that the village can keep its beloved store.

"At the end of the day, landlords want to maximize the value of their property, but it’s also important for them to consider what some of the local businesses mean to the community. Debbie and Dee Jays made the village special — and this is a true loss for the village," he said.

Clients and friends expressed their heartbreak on Instagram.

"I'm so unbelievably sad to hear this, and so sad for you and all of your hard work," one woman wrote. She added that it was a shame the landlord wouldn’t reconsider, "and allow you to remain as the staple you always were. Thank you for always dressing us as perfectly as you always have."

"Southampton will never be the same without Dee Jays," another wrote.

And, added another client: "Say it ain’t so! My all-time favorite go-to store. I have bought some of my most favorite and fabulous clothes here over the years. Debbie is simply the best. So very sorry to see you close. A real loss to Southampton, and to me."

The boutique, whose mantra has long been, "Fashions fade, style is eternal," offers a veritable treasure chest of both elegant attire and casual wear for sun-swept days by the beach.

Deborah's niece Alexis Rae spoke with Patch about the closure: "Dee Jays was like a summer home for me, right in the heart of Southampton Village. My first real job was there at the age of 15, and I worked there consistently through my early 20s," she said. "I still help out to this day. Most (if not all) of my work ethic stems from working with my aunt at Dee Jays. When you work for a small business, especially a family-run one, you take it personally. For me, it was a place of learning, helping, socializing, creating, and even discipline."

She added: "I watched as my aunt ran that store tighter than Bergdorf Goodman! Every piece of clothing that went on the floor she steamed and ironed, most times till all hours of the night. She was the buyer, seller, maintenance person and did every single display. She was the heartbeat of that store and became your personal shopper with the amazing ability to dress any body type! Main Street in Southampton is losing a very special place due to greed. Plain and simple."

Also, she said, she comes from a family of small business owners.

"My grandmother, mom and aunt all have and have had thriving businesses here on Long Island stemming back to the late 70s. It has always been hard work but so rewarding, and I saw that firsthand. I myself work as a local photographer with an emphasis on photographing small businesses as well as family and events," she said. "Small businesses, brick-and-mortar mom-and-pop stores, make our Long Island the place we love to call home. May we never lose that."

Warren also rallied to save the longtime Schmidt's Market, which was forced out of its longtime Southampton location due to a soaring rent hike. A new day is dawning for the Schmidt family, however, as son Daniel readies to open his Schmidt's Country Market in Quogue.

As for the Ohanas, Deborah said: "We will continue to post and keep you all up to date. Thank you for the outpouring of love and support that has been received so far. We count ourselves so blessed to have such loyal friends and customers."

Longtime clients can keep following the shop on IG @deejays_southampton for upcoming details on the store's official closing date and "blow-out sales information," she said. Emails can also be sent to [email protected].