OCEAN CITY–––– At 1059 Asbury Ave., across the street from Bungalow Bowls and Bookateria Two, sits Eastward, a new high-end boutique store.
Opened in April, Eastward is new to the vibrant business scene of Ocean City but quickly catching on with customers.
Susan Lowe, an Ocean City local, stopped into Eastward and perused the diverse selection of products available. From women’s fashion to kitchenware Eastward has it all.
“I was told by a friend that this was a shop I had to check out. They weren’t wrong; it’s fun and artsy. I love the vibe of the store,” Lowe said.
Eastward is owned and operated by Becky Holden, a fifth-generation resident of Upper Township who graduated from Ocean City High School in 1995 before pursuing an art history degree at the University of North Carolina Greensboro.
Holden’s ties with the community run deep, as her father was a history teacher at Ocean City Intermediate School and later wrote “Upper Township and its Ten Villages,” a book covering the history of the township. Holden, who also co-ops at West End Garage in Cape May, has had her plans for Eastward and the Asbury location for a while.
She recounted how she thought the location would be a prime spot for foot traffic and word of mouth advertising years ago. When renovations were being made to the building one day, Holden stopped in to inquire about it. The rest is history, and shortly after her purchase of the space, Holden officially started her business.
She describes her products as “high-quality but affordable.”
From women’s fashions to kitchenware, to decorative wall pieces and even skincare remedies, Eastward offers an array of goods and pieces.
Holden said she has enjoyed thrifting and consignment shops since she was little and it was that passion that led her to believe Ocean City would benefit from having Eastward, where she sells some vintage items along with her new products.
“I love old stuff; the quality is better, the aesthetic is better, there’s something to be said for older things,” Holden said.
While most of the items she buys wholesale and resells, some Holden picked out herself from yard sales or others stores and cleans up for resale.
Holden said it’s difficult to figure out what people want, but she trusts her own judgment on the matter.
“I like to think I have an eye for this stuff,” she said.
Holden’s wares are colorful and artsy, radiating a beachy vibe to the whole store, the perfect place to spruce up one’s home or wardrobe for the summer season.
Among the colorful clothes and pieces, Holden also features a picture of her great-great-grandmother, Gladys, on the store counter. Gladys, who grew up in Ocean City, was a butcher who took care of cows on the island back in the 19th century, adding a personal touch and a nod to her family’s long-standing ties to the area.
Eastward aims to become the next must-visit destination in Ocean City’s thriving business scene, offering unique finds and unbeatable deals. Eastward is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.
– STORY by EDDIE D’AMICO/For the Sentinel
– PHOTOS by CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff