Shortly after Kathy Masterson, East Hampton’s athletic director, announced her retirement last month, the Lululemon store on Main Street started plotting a way to thank her for all she’s done for the community. It quickly became obvious what to do: Dress her in some maroon and gray.
“We looked at what we had, and we had a bunch of maroon in the store,” said Elvis Uchupaille-Sigcha, the store’s community specialist, who graduated from high school here in 2017. “Emily [Hoey], our store manager, thought it would be a great idea to outfit the athletic director of the East Hampton district because she’s recently retiring. She’s had a big impact over the last four years since she’s been at East Hampton High School, on top of the many years she’s worked out of Westhampton and Southampton, developing all the youth athletic teams and being a big impact and a big inspiration for the younger generations.”
On March 30, they welcomed Ms. Masterson to the store, letting her pick a selection of clothing in the color they call Burgundy Bay, which was affectionately called Bonac Burgundy for the occasion. Never one to shy away from a good time or a good quarter-zip, the A.D. turned the store into her runway, trying out athletic outfits that looked like they had been made exclusively for her. Her energy is a reminder of why she has been so successful in the district.
“It was an unbelievable experience that did not by any means need to happen, but Lululemon and the E.H. community are just amazing people who are always willing to help,” Ms. Masterson said. “I know that I can pick up the phone and call a number of our businesses in town and they’d be willing to help our kids in any shape or form. It is an amazing community.”
After trying on crewnecks, track jackets, pants, and hats, she settled on a waffle quarter-zip, joggers, a hat, and a belt bag.
“It was very hard to narrow it down. I would’ve taken everything,” she said. “I love the waffle quarter-zip. I’m a quarter-zip girl. I also love the pants. They are so comfortable, and they can be dressy or they can be casual.”
Coincidentally, that same morning, the district was interviewing candidates to replace Ms. Masterson next school year. Her women’s size-11 sneakers aside, she leaves some incredibly large shoes to fill. Until then, Lululemon hopes she enjoys her new gear, a reminder of how much the town appreciates her.
“We had a wonderful time chatting and cracking jokes, getting her in our product,” Mr. Uchupaille-Sigcha said. “Hopefully she uses it as much as she can whenever she is out and about, and loves the product and takes a little Bonac with her into retirement.”