At August in Bay Head, Tess Hazen stocks distinctive pieces you won’t find at other local boutiques. Photo: Courtesy of August
Tess Hazen was born a creator. Growing up in upstate New York, she watched her parents transform rundown buildings into restaurants, bars and retail spaces. “It was in my blood from a young age,” she says. After college and a fast-paced foray into the fashion business, Hazen had that nagging urge to create something from nothing, just as her parents had done. In an enormous leap of faith, she and her new husband purchased a 19-room boarding house in Bay Head, a circa-1886 building a block from the beach in dire need of an overhaul, in 2021.
The couple lived in the Bentley Inn for two years, transforming it into a posh, boutique-vibe destination. Having mastered cleaning rooms and troubleshooting plumbing issues, Hazen wanted more. So she carved out a tiny space for a boutique in the lobby, curating a small collection of gift and home items, plus clothing. “I wasn’t sure about the clothing part,” Hazen admits, “but we sold it all in one Memorial Day weekend.” Clearly, she was onto something and realized the tiny space could be so much more.
In a kismet moment in 2025, Hazen learned of another historic building in need of a new tenant. She was hoping for a tiny piece of the massive space, but the landlords offered her the entire thing. On the precise day Hazen got the lease, she discovered she was pregnant. Already mom to son Vernon, who was less than a year old at the time, Hazen kicked into high gear. “I had to make it happen,” she laughs, “but yes, it was overwhelming.”
Photo: Courtesy of August
Hazen got to work planning, designing and buying for August, a clothing, jewelry and home boutique. The frenzy culminated in late March; the day of the soft opening, Hazen went into labor. Son Callum was born early the next morning.
Undeterred, Hazen carried on. August, named after her Portuguese water dog, carries a carefully curated collection of items no other local shop offers. “I’m super mindful of making this super different,” Hazen explains. She focuses on selecting clothing she’d wear and works diligently to keep prices affordable; most pieces run between $80 and $100. She says, “It’s a challenge to source that way, but who has the money to spend $500 on a shirt?” The Bentley Inn shop remains open, too.
Jersey Shore Jam Band Dogs in a Pile Is Making Waves Nationwide—But They’ll Never Forget Their Roots
