Megan Leary was born and raised amidst the sea and farmland of Eastern Long Island. Named after Megan's two very different grandmothers, Gloria and Jewel, her boutique is a rare success story attributed to her heartfelt intent to help women find their own voices and feel beautiful through fashion. Megan handpicks pieces for each of her stores, reflecting the needs of the women in each location, and ensuring that no matter one's personal taste, they will find what they are looking for at her shops. This is particularly due to the diverse styles of Gloria and Jewel, embraced equally by their granddaughter.
Megan's grandmother, Gloria Elliott, was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1922. She was a strong and independent woman who loved the Mets and a good card game. Her style was the essence of minimalist refinement, tailored suits and pearl earrings, crisp and clean. She imparted unto her granddaughter, Megan, the value of independence, a sharp sense of humor, how to play Gin Rummy and these words “always put lotion on your elbows, nothing is worse than a girl in a beautiful white dress with ashy elbows.” Wise words from a woman who will never be forgotten. Gloria passed away in 2007, a month before Megan opened her first shop in Jamesport, NY, but her classic style lives on.
Megan's grandmother, Jewel Leary, was born in Jersey City, NJ in 1904. She not only baked perfect blueberry muffins, but held a full time job for over 30 years as a Chief telephone operator, rare for a woman of her generation. With a sharp mind and even sharper sense of fashion, Jewel shared her dressers full of embroidered scarves, pocketbooks and fittingly, jewels, with her granddaughter Megan, who would comb through them, fascinated, for hours on end. Jewel dressed to the nines each and every day in feminine skirts and dresses, with flawless makeup applied from monogrammed cases and her manicured hair done-up at the salon weekly. She unquestionably passed on to Megan a love of all things girly, and though she passed away in 1993, her style lives on in the Gloria Jewel boutiques, indefinitely.
Gloria Jewel, while growing and evolving each year, has become an institution of the Hamptons, with a strong local customer base and vast loyal summer clientele. Megan is always listening to her clients and working hard to find new and unique pieces to round out her foundation of classic designer staples. Gloria Jewel makes frequent donations to national women’s organizations and continuously supports the local community. With shops in Westhampton Beach, Bridgehampton and Amagansett, Gloria jewel has got the Hamptons covered. Now we bring you Gloriajewel.com, where Megan's edited collection of Hampton's favorites is available from just about anywhere.
We would love to hear your feedback, please feel free to contact us at inquiries@gloriajewel.com with questions or comments.
