Blue Shutters Beachside Inn
April 17, 2026
Who are you, and what is your business?
I’m Tony Sapienza, one of the owners of the Blue Shutters Beachside Inn. We’re located on one of the most beautiful spots on Greater Cape Ann – right on Good Harbor Beach, across from the footbridge. We bought the Blue Shutters in early 2007 – this year marks our 19th season as innkeepers.
Please provide a brief description of your company.
With our eight rooms and four apartments, we can accommodate singles, couples, families and groups of all sizes. We have a large living room facing the beach and a pantry where we provide a complimentary continental breakfast. There is also a large lawn area with tables, chairs, grills and our popular firepit – all overlooking the beach.
What inspired you to start your business, and what keeps you going?
We are big fans of Cape Ann, Gloucester and Good Harbor Beach and we’ve always loved hosting friends and family at our homes. When we had the opportunity to buy the Blue Shutters, we decided to give innkeeping a try. We had fun from the very beginning and have made many new friends – so here we are
19 years later. We really enjoy helping guests enjoy everything Greater Cape Ann has to offer – suggesting restaurants, museums, attractions, art galleries, walking trails, downtown shopping, and the beaches.
What aspect of your business are you most passionate about?
The people who visit us are our greatest passion – seeing their love for Greater Cape Ann, helping them find new experiences, watching their children grow and develop their own attachments, and creating close and lasting friendships.
Is there something unique about your business that you’d like to share that most people wouldn’t know about?
The four owners have known each other for nearly 50 years (some of us even longer…since pre-school). And while we have known each other for decades, collectively we knew little about innkeeping when we took over the Blue Shutters in 2007 – none of us had experience in the hospitality business.
What sets your business apart from other similar businesses?
We strive to treat our guests like family and make sure they feel like the Blue Shutters is home. While we work to make sure they’re comfortable and have whatever they need, interactions are more like conversations among family and friends.
Do you have a recent accomplishment or achievement you’d like to highlight and share with others?
We’re celebrating our 19th season in 2026 – and some of our guests this summer have been with us for each and every year!
Do you have a goal you want your business to achieve in the next one, 5, or 10 years?
We want to keep having fun – and keep watching our guests have fun, including those new to Greater Cape Ann.
Why do you love the Greater Cape Ann region and doing business locally?
As a business that caters to visitors, we’re particularly taken by the beauty, the history, and the welcoming atmosphere of Greater Cape Ann. As a longtime member of the Chamber’s Tourism Council, I see how the community comes together to celebrate what’s special about our region and to share experiences and updates so others can enjoy all this.
As someone doing business in this area, how has or how can the Chamber help your business?
The Chamber has been instrumental in introducing the Blue Shutters to other businesses and helping us make valuable connections. The Chamber also helps draw visitors to the region and enables us to make these visitors aware of all that Greater Cape Ann has to offer, including special events, attractions and things to do. For this, the Chamber’s Map and Guide are especially valuable resources for our guests. And finally, the Chamber is there for us on issues important to our business, making sure our voice is heard and our interests are represented.
Contact Info
Blue Shutters Beachside Inn
1 Nautilus Road, Gloucester
978-283-1198
info@blueshuttersinn.com
www.blueshuttersinn.com
Social Media
- Facebook: facebook.com/blue.shutters
