Carol Kearney, the “Whale’s” proprietor, came up with the “Gingham Whale” name over 30 years ago when she was part of an antique cooperative in Mullica Hill, NJ.

She says the name is symbolic of two of her favorite things: all things “country” (Gingham); and the love of ocean and “beachy things” (Whale).  When Carol first opened her shop in Ocean City, NJ it just had to be called “The Gingham Whale."  Any visitor to the shop or this website can quickly tell by perusing the merchandise that it is all very “country” (lots of primitives/cottage/shabby chic stuff); and all kinds of seashore, ocean and beachy things.

Carol is a lifelong visitor, and with her husband Terry, property owner for over 30 years in Ocean City, NJ.  She remembers the days coming to Ocean City with her grandmother when she was a little girl.  It’s no wonder that when her grandsons are visiting (fifth generation!) the “closed” sign goes up on the shop’s door with the notation “Grandsons in town…at beach."  She wants Daniel and Jacob to have similar memories she has of growing up at the beach with loving grandparents.

Carol has her Bachelor’s degree from Penn State and her Masters in American Studies from Penn State as well.  She has served as collections consultant to the Heritage Center in Lancaster, PA; Executive Director of the Agricultural & Industrial Museum in York, Pa; and the Curator of the Adams County Historical Museum in Gettysburg, PA.