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SHOPPING ON THE NORTH FORK OF LONG ISLAND

December 16th, 2007 category: North Fork Neighborhoods

With just a few weeks to do holiday shopping, the motivation kicked in, and I headed to the Tanger Outlet in Riverhead, New York. The home of such fabulous outlet stores such as Coach, Ralph Lauren, J Crew, Ann Taylor, and a host of others, it seemed the logical gift-giving locale.

For some items, it worked. For other more unique items, however, I found myself delighted with the Greenport, New York opportunities.

Greenport, having experienced its own magical rejuvenation, offers gifts that TALK. I don’t mean whisper- I mean figuratively reach out and scream, “I’M THE ONE”! While Tanger offers great buys on quality merchandise, it is (perhaps due to the onslaught of catalogues this time of year) somewhat generic. Or, perhaps I just arrived late, but the items seemed…ordinary.

Greenport, however, has some time tested go-to’s that really cut down on shopping time- I can count on these stores to have gifts that are special.

My favorite store in Greenport is Island Silk. Located in the heart of the shopping district, Island Silk offers quality in basics (turtlenecks, pants) but always carries a large offering of fresh, unique clothing- that well located ruffle on the sweater, or fur adorning the cuffs. Just…COOL STUFF. My sister (who is impeccable) and my mother (a bit more bohemian)- CHECK. Mission accomplished with a black capelet with fur that is just ADORABLE, and a warm cotton sweater with fringe. Twenty minutes, and I’d searched for hours at Tanger.

A little store across the street called the Bayview Shoppe provided the PERFECT cotton place-mats, napkins, and table runner for another family member. They recently redid their kitchen, and in the spirit of quality, this store offers unusual and lovely table adornments, as well as clothing- already accomplished . Another twenty minute CHECK.

For the Irishman in my life, a shop called CURRANS IRISH SHOP has a number of authentic irish sweaters, coats, hats, and socks- you know the kind. You can just tell that this is the real, Irish “stuff”. This took a bit longer, because I wanted to add a few accessory items (as well as try on a few of the coats myself- hey, I can play, too). In addition to clothing, they offer jewelry and home items for people that love the Irish, and who doesn’t? Bono was playing as I did my shopping.

There is actually, in Greenport, a REAL kids toy shop on Main Street. This toy shop does NOT carry videos or tech stuff. Nope- just TOYS. Lionel trains, puzzles, kites, bubble guns, stuffed animals, games- you know, stuff that WE used to get. I remember my friend, Kim, having loads of toy horses- you know, the ones that look like real horses and are plastic, with accessories like a saddle- that type of item is carried here. In my opinion, the GOOD stuff! Check, check, check and check (for the little nieces and nephews. The older kids are Tanger and Riverhead kids).

Finally, our neighbor. Gladys keeps watch over our dogs. What more to say? When we first moved to Southold, we didn’t realize that the deer were RIGHT THERE- with an unfenced yard, it took a while- OK- it took a FENCE- to force them to stay in the yard. They saw the deer well before I did, and by the time I’d turn back to look at them, they’d be GONE. Our dogs give Gladys a little token of their owners appreciation, but it has to be YUMMY. Sweet Indulgences has it- a special way to say thank you for what it, in reality, a REALLY BIG thank you. She lets us know, when we deliver the gift from the dogs each year, that we “spoil her”- nah. She spoils us every time we leave the house and know that there is an “eye out.”

All of this shopping, accomplished in no time. In a shopping area that, while small, INSISTS on a calm and enjoyable experience- did I mention that I had lunch looking at the water?