Montauk Pioneer - August 8, 2008

The dynamic magnetism of owner Kai Costanzo permeates throughout the lime-ade colored shop that he runs and owns called Kai Kai Sandals. The word Kai is Hawaiian for ocean. With a shop opening in Las Vegas, perhaps as early as February of 2009, and one doing extremely well in Key West, all signs are for continued success and growth for this local Montauk business that has as much positive energy as its triathlon winning owner. In fact Kai still owns the record time for the Montauk Lighthouse Sprint Triathlon set in July 2000. (One hour eleven seconds 1:11). A stalwart of the University of Colorado Triathlon team, Kai whose given name was Julian Kai Costanzo was competing in the Australian World championships in Australia when he received the call that his mom needed a liver transplant and he needed to come home to run the shop for her at once. At the time he ranked around 10th in the nation, but after a strong emotional finish in Australia he ended up ranked first, and then came home to turn around a business that was listing due to his mother Bernadette's health problems that effected spring ordering.

His personal touch was selling razor scooters that summer and on August 15, 2003 he launched the Kai Kai Sandal, which is now a national signature item growing at an unbelievable rate with as many as 25,000 already sold. During my meeting with him his grandmother, the affable Peggy McCarthy passed by and they hugged. But make no mistake about Kai, he has become a very successful salesman for his line of products with a positive energy force that must be sampled to be totally understood. The shop has the most distinctive awning in Montauk, of lime-ade green, that captures everyone's eyes while driving through town. For sale in the shop are of course the world renowned sandals which are suede and feel like a down mitten on your feet, but with a durable rubber sole. However, the shop also carries Sperry Boat shoes along with Keds sneakers and Seychelles, BC, and Jack Rogers sandals. Hot items this summer are the green organic board shorts by "Greenlines."

The shop carries items as diverse as rugged foul weather gear to sweatshirts and tee shirts, with all kinds of combo deals available. There are wonderful women's cotton dresses, bathing suits and Burt Bee's natural skin care product lines available. Then there are the caps and tee shirts that are sold individually or with a combo price. The supersize Kai sweatshirt blanket priced at $19.99 is also a winner and does come in green. Ditch Plains tees and sweat shirts, along with all sorts of Montauk logo stuff, are neatly folded and ready for your selection all over the shop. There is even a Red Bull freezer with cold Bulls ready for anyone's need on a hot summer day. But the hit items that make Kai Kai Sandals unique and a winner are the sandals themselves. They are Kai's signature item to his shop and soon, perhaps, the whole world. They are selling that well. In fact Kai has come up with a "Swap your Flog" campaign, where an owner can replace an existing pair of sandals for 40% off with the old ones going to a program to help the homeless. This shop is a happening place with a cozy feel and a meticulous kept appearance supervised by the usually present Kai who is always ready and poised to help any customer at any time. During August 8th through August 10th, if you buy two pairs of suede Kai Kai sandals you get one sweatshirt free. The shop is located across from Shagwong on the North side of Route 27 (771 Main Street) the phone number is 631-668-4499 and the website is www.kaikaisandal.com