Dan's Papers - May 15, 2009 - Shop 'Til You Drop

Most of the shops are gearing up for the spring/summer season, decorating their windows, putting out balloons, and clearing out winter inventory in order to make room for their newest merchandise. Let's get shopping!

Preparing for the Memorial Day weekend, which is only a few weeks away, stop in at Nautique National Flag, 401 Montauk Highway, Westhampton Beach, for all of your nautical needs. The store is filled with interesting US, historic, national, nautical and fun flags (all in stock), flagpoles, nautical yardarm poles, weathervanes, cupolas, windsocks and more. Nautique is also the manufacturer of custom flags banners and burgees and are the flagpole specialists since 1992. Call 631-288-8881 for information.

While you're at it, stop into Accents J. Tortorella Swimming Pools, 296 West Montauk Highway, Hampton Bays, for a look at the newest fun in the sun merchandise, which includes pool, spa, beach, backyard living and much more. Pick up some cool beach chairs and umbrellas, pool toys and equipment, and just a little bit of everything for outdoor living.

Sunrise to Sunset, 36 Hill Street, Southampton, has already kicked of the season with new spring arrivals in ladies' and men's sportswear and swimwear. There are wetsuits from XCEL, and Crocs in every size and color.

Spring is in the air at Aunt Suzie's Clothes for Kids, on Hampton Road in Southampton. For any special occasions, there are fancy and classic dresses and suits that are in stock along with a fun selection of swimsuits, Life is Good apparel and playwear merchandise. Aunt Suzie even has all your communion/confirmation needs, including veils, ties, gloves, purses and hair accessories for up to 75% off, making everything really affordable. OK Sophia, where are you and your mommy? Get shopping!

English Country Antiques & Home Furnishings, on Snake Hollow Road, Bridgehampton, and at 53 North Sea Road in Southampton, is doing it again! You can save 50% off warehouse prices with the sale that starts on May 16 on select merchandise. Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams upholstery sale is in progress on Wesley Hall. Open 7 days a week or shop online at ecantiques.com.

Bridgehampton's Maison 24, on Main Street, is all dolled up in Kulte, "The French Brand," exclusively in the US. Check out the Beach Party Video. This eclectic shop is a mix of traditional and trendsetting and in its own opinion, has the best of the best across a wide range of categories of home furnishings, men's, women's and children's accessories, music, art, decorative objects, books, collectable toys and so on. Put this shop on your "fave" list.

Remember Turkish terry cloth? Well, The Elegant John, Red Horse Plaza, East Hampton, has three new collections of luscious Turkish terry towels all made in (guess where?) Turkey! The "Mesa" Collection is a heavy and absorbent 800-gram Turkish cotton terry, while the "Canyon" Collection is a luxurious 675-gram Turkish cotton terry, available in eight beautiful colors. The Bamboo Collection features cotton/bamboo woven towels that the Wall Street Journal's catalogue critic rated "the best overall towel" on the market. They are all available in bath sheets, bath and hand towels, washcloths and coordinating tub mats.

Kim Seybert Flagship Store, 55A-2 Main Street, East Hampton, has expanded with twice the space. It is now stocked with spring 2009 merchandise and its new bath and bar lines makes it the place to stock up on all your entertaining essentials. The store continues to feature exclusive Kim Seybert collections, as well as China, flatware and giftable items. Also, Kim Seybert has launched her e-commerce Web site so that you can shop the entire luxury collection. There is an exciting gift offer with a purchase on the Web site, kimseybert.com.

OFF THE BEATEN PATH A LITTLE BIT: Whether you are planning a backyard BBQ, summer soiree or an upscale gala event, Fat Cat Paperie, 426 Main Street, Center Moriches, will create the ideal invitation to announce the occasion to your guests. This is a fine stationery and gift shop specializing in custom invitations and designs for all occasions. The beautifully restored historic building offers a friendly environment for you to work with an invitation specialist. The staff here has a keen sense of finding the perfect unique one-of-a-kind invitation or from its extensive collection of fine stationery albums. Call 631-657-5481 for store hours and information.

Until next week, ciao and happy spring shopping!

Having a sale, getting new inventory or are you a new kid on the block? Comments or questions? Please e-mail me at shoptil@danspapers.com or via fax at 631-726-0189.