THE BEACHY VIBES AT THE COASTAL CLOSET

Are you craving a coastal vibe? Do you want to make your home a haven of sophisticated, casual, and colorful fun? Do you want your whole lifestyle to reflect the beautiful quality of ocean-side living? Want to inject your wardrobe with some summer panache? Need a hostess gift that makes you want to buy one for yourself too? There is a one stop shop for all that and more: welcome to Port Aransas’ Coastal Closet. We spoke with owner, Mandy Hagy, the driving force behind one of Port A’s most successful and beloved boutiques, and got to peek inside the ‘closet!’

Though Coastal Closet originally opened in 2009, it wasn’t until November 2014, after some years as an elementary school teacher, that Mandy bought the shop. Mandy had worked at the store for the previous owner, so she knew the business, appreciated its established footprint, and then fell in love with the retail concept. Over the years, Mandy has refined the direction of the business by concentrating on the highest performing brands and products and curating her stock for the most unique and exciting items available today.

Breezy Coastal Fashions for Women, Men & Kids! Coastal Closet carries women’s fashion by Trina Turk, Lily Pulitzer, Julie Vos, and more. They sell Howler brothers’ shorts, tops, tees, board shorts, and caps, for men and Blue Quail and Prodoh clothes for kids.

Many second-home owners, used to sophisticated shopping in San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, etc., adore the Coastal Closet because they can find upscale, elegant clothing, accessories, gifts, and home décor all in one place. Gale English is Mandy’s home design guru and has worked with her since day one. The Coastal Closet not only carries a large supply of furniture and upholstered pieces, but they have a large inventory capacity, and given today’s commodity shortages, not having to wait for months for furniture delivery is a blessing. If you want take-it-home-today satisfaction, Mandy can provide it. They have decorated many homes at Palmilla Beach and other Port A communities, and can help redo a single room, pull together pre-existing décor, or design the entire house from the ground up. They feature Thibaut wallpaper, Moss Studio furniture, rugs by Chilewich and Dash & Albert, Pine Cone Hill Linens and Pillows, and other well-made premium brands.

Their biggest sellers are always Nest candles and cocktail napkins, the perfect hostess gifts. Mandy shops Dallas, Atlanta, and New York, etc., for exciting new products and tries to keep her line fresh and innovative while maintaining a good selection that appeals to many different tastes. They even carry breezy coastal art that isn’t one-of-a-kind but isn’t kitschy either; absolutely perfect for the upmarket homes and clientele they cater to. So, if you’re craving cabana stripes, octopus’ wallpaper, marine blue sofas, pink seashell pillows, high thread count sheets, airy neutrals, or zebra meets beach, you know where to go for all your décor needs. From salad tongs, to tableware, from coffee-table books, to lamps, thanks to Coastal Closet, living your seaside life has never been easier.

Coastal Closet also specializes in apparel for women, men, and children by brands that epitomize the casual and airy outdoor clothing that takes you from Bayside to barbecue, a perfect complement to your coastal experience. When we say Coastal Closet is a lifestyle store, we mean it. Want a resort-style woven beach bag? Or how about a tennis bracelet? Dresses, skorts, or a bathing suit and cover up? Look no further.

New Thing! Mandy really likes the new Crosby by Mollie Burch brand of clothing these days for its fun, bright, and feminine looks, so checkout their sundresses and more.

We asked Mandy what her favorite aspect of owning the business is, and she immediately said, the relationships she has with her customers. Over the years, she has built long and loyal friendships and she told us, “…when I get to work the floor and interact with clientele, I am happiest, feel connected, and fulfilled.” Mandy likes the seasonal aspect of retail because she gets to dress up the store in different ways. Though Christmastime is fun, her favorite season is Spring/Summer when the happy colors, vibrant fabrics, and buzzy crowds keep her busy and the mood is sunny.

Mandy took a big leap of faith in leaving her teaching career behind to embark on this retail adventure, and boy are we glad she did! You will be too, so stop on by the Coastal Closet and get yourself some sunshine and maybe a candle or two while you celebrate living your beachiest life.