The woman who rented a Southampton storefront to the Kardashians is stunned by the harsh reaction of her neighbors and is trying to keep a low profile.
Irma Herzog, owner of the Driver’s Seat restaurant on Job’s Lane, has been bombarded with snide comments on the Internet — and by fellow Southamptonites to me — since she rented the space next door to the Kardashians for the Dash boutique they opened on Monday.
“She’s being tormented and harassed by Southamptonites,” an insider told me. It’s seemingly gotten so bad, Herzog is avoiding the issue, no doubt for fear of making things worse.
“Irma lashed out at a friend after hearing he had set up a potential interview for her [to discuss the matter].”
At least no one has started a boycott of her restaurant — yet. It will be a sad day if they do, as the breezy spot has been an institution for locals since it opened in 1960. (Herzog took over in 2005.)
Asked if he would boycott the Driver’s Seat, advertising mogul Jerry Della Femina, who sold his oceanfront East Hampton house last year, told me, “Forget about the Driver’s Seat. People are going to avoid Southampton! [Irma] should be brought up on charges.”
Della Famina, who has a new house in Bridgehampton, added: “I view [the Kardashian situation] like people viewed the plague in the Middle Age. I just want to survive it.”
On Tuesday, Kourtney and Khloé Kardashian started taping their E! reality show “Kourtney & Khloé Take the Hamptons.”
A camera crew followed them down to the 75 Main St. restaurant, where they were taped having lunch, and to the Village Hall, where they obtained beach permits to park their cars. A crowd of fans also followed.
Southampton Mayor Mark Epley told me he hopes it was the novelty of the scene that drew a crowd. “I hope it becomes a non-event.”
“People are talking like it’s Armageddon,” Steven Gaines, author of “Philistines at the Hedgerow,” told me.
“We’ve had other circuses come to town — Sean Combs with his White Party, and ‘The Real Housewives of New York City.’ But we’ve never had paparazzi before. This will bring it to a whole other level.”
Gaines says there is self-interest involved. People invested in the Hamptons — a resort with a Ralph Lauren-like image of elegance and class — by buying houses.
“The Kardashians really repulse people because they are cheapening the [Hamptons] brand,” Gaines said. “Thank God they are only staying for three months.”
Calls to Herzog were not returned.