Change is a huge part of the Hamptons scene. One exciting facet of the approaching summer season in the Hamptons is a walk through the various hamlets to see the new businesses that have opened. As they stake their claim on a piece of the American Dream on a Main Street on the East End, T.J. Clemente takes us on a guided tour of what’s hot and new in East Hampton.
Restoration Hardware, at 69 Main Street, has opened up its first Hamptons location to great fanfare. They specialize in educating the customer about the intricacies of high-quality restoration, maintenance and creation of delicate keepsakes.
Now that Kelly Smith’s A Little Bit of What You Fancy, a Hamptons tradition, has moved on, in its space is a newly renovated Michael Kors shop. The magic of Lacoste has come to East Hampton, too, so you can be in alligator heaven with their classic look. Island Company has also come into the village with their laid-back casual wear, joining shops sprinkled around the East Coast, including Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard; Palm Beach and Naples, Florida; and even the Cayman Islands!
The Halsey McKay Gallery is getting quite a talk-up, as is Sam Edelman, the master of women’s footwear. Then there is Crewcuts by J. Crew, at 14 Main Street, with a “stylist” in-house to help select the preppy classics and a whole new selection aimed at the youngest in your family.
When you finally take a break from browsing shops and galleries, check out two new “must visit” restaurants that have opened up in EH: The East Hampton Grill, located on 99 North Main Street down by the EH Village police station (where Della Femina’s used to be), and the very new and popular vision of Hamptons power couple Colin and Venessa—Spring Close, located on 341 Pantigo Road. Spring Close is already attracting huge crowds, so call first.
Is there anything in the East Hamptons in the ways of shops that you CAN NOT already get in NYC??
Yes.