Barbara Corcoran �who founded her namesake real estate brokerage in 1978 (which she sold in 2001 for roughly $66 million and which closed $6.29 billion in sales last year) �says she owes her success to a cocktail of tenacity and lucky breaks.
Example? When she learned that an elderly artist wanted to sell his dream home in the Saltaire neighborhood of Fire Island, following a damaging nor’easter, she didn’t hesitate. “I asked his relatives what they wanted for the house,�the “Shark Tank�star tells Alexa. “I paid $75,000 for it on the spot and moved in early April 1994. I almost froze my kid to death!�(Similar Fire Island homes now trade for millions.)
More than two decades later, Corcoran (who recently debuted ��a new podcast on iHeartRadio) is a seasoned Fire Islander who’s fully embraced the enclave’s chilled-out, devil-may-care spirit. The 69-year-old bikes, swims and shares plates of fresh oysters with her husband and two children when she’s there �but keeps only two T-shirts and some cut-off shorts on hand. “It’s enough clothes for the whole season,�she says, adding that she actively shuns “the busy, status-filled life�of the Hamptons.
“On Fire Island, there’s nowhere to go and nothing to do. Life is simple and you can wholeheartedly share your time with your family.�/p>
Here, Corcoran takes us on a tour of her beloved F.I. haunts.
Fire Island Ferry
“The Fire Island ferry is the best 10 bucks you’ll ever spend for a 20-minute ride that leaves the world behind.�/p>
4th of July Boat Decoration Contest
“I never miss the 4th of July Pines invasion. Witnessing a ferry full of drag queens is always a boatload of fun.�/p>
Saltaire Market
“There’s nothing like the fresh-baked, cinnamon-sugar donuts on the deck at the Saltaire Market at 7 a.m.�/p>
Pioneer Market
“I love to nosh on the roast beef, lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise sandwich with salt and pepper on a hard roll at the Pioneer Market in Fair Harbor. The meat is thin and melts in your mouth.�/p>
Skinny-dipping
“It takes courage to skinny dip, but nobody is there and the water feels deliciously warm on cold September nights.�/p>
Fire Island Water Taxi
“I’m a city girl who loves to go from community to community [in Fire Island] and the water taxi runs the shoreline, even late at night.�/p>
Lifeguard stand
“It’s fun letting your kids jump off the high lifeguard stands in Saltaire after hours.�/p>
The Sand Castle On The Ocean
“The Sand Castle is right on the beach in Cherry Grove and has fresh oysters.�/p>
Unfriendly’s Ice Cream
“I love the chocolate-chip and mint ice cream in a sugar cone at Unfriendly’s Ice Cream. It makes you feel eight years old all over again.�/p>
Crab hunting
“One of our favorite summer traditions is catching crabs. The kids love it! Hook a chunk of raw chicken on a string and you’re guaranteed a big crab on your first try.�/p>
Le Dock
“The food at Jean-Georges�Le Dock is consistently good, and the orange sunsets stretch as far as you can see.�/p>
Bicycling on the boardwalk
“Biking on the wooden walkway in Lonelyville is so narrow and rickety you feel lucky to get home alive!�/p>