ABOUT US

This family-owned real-estate business in Westhampton Beach has been around longer than most of the businesses in town. Sea and Surf Properties, located on Main Street in Westhampton Beach, is owned and operated by the Sienkiewicz family. Susan Sienkiewicz and her husband Charles, along with daughters Suzanne and Lisa and son Bob all work in the family business.

Originally from Massapequa, the Sienkiewiczes moved out to East Quogue 22 years ago. Suzanne rented out in the Westhampton area and worked at a real-estate agency when she decided herself and her family should start their own business. Along with the family, Sea and Surf employs Mable Luther. "She has been with us throughout the duration of the business, she is part of the family," stated Susan.

Not only have the residential rentals changed, but Westhampton Beach has also changed in the past few years.
Main Street is lined with many different independently owned real estate agencies along with the larger conglomerate agencies, such as Prudential and Corcoran. "We are a smaller agency and it is getting harder and harder to compete with the larger conglomerates," stated Suzanne. However, she added that it is nice to do business on a personal level with the customers. "With the larger conglomerates, they dont provide as much personal service as we do," said Suzanne. "We are open seven days a week and if a customer needs us, we are there."

Not only has the larger real-estate agencies changed the village, but there are few key stores that stay open all year-round. "Main Street is lined with so many Real-Estate agencies, there needs to be a store like Pier 1 Imports or Ikea, that keeps the local residents shopping in the Village of Westhampton Beach, "stated Susan.

The Sienkiewicz family also owns most of the complex that Sea and Surf is located in. "The town has changed so much, and with real estate prices what they are, we would like to eventually put apartments above these buildings for a fair price," Suzanne said. The Sienkiewicz family would like to provide affordable apartments for young people to enhance the economy of the town. "Hopefully in about two years we will be ready for this step," said Suzanne.

This Article appeared in THE INDEPENDENT and was written by Jamie Cunningham entitled
IT'S A FAMILY AFFAIR. October 16, 2002.