Dan's Papers - May 22, 2009 - Giving You The Business

The beauty and majesty of Southampton Village is as much a favorite of summer visitors for shopping and dining now, as it has been since before the Great Depression of the 1930s. This season in Southampton, some new business owners are taking their chances, boldly swimming against the tide in these difficult times. For some people, it's the entrepreneurial spirit and power to create that defines them as higher beings. During these interesting times, it certainly takes a higher being to go for it.

This year is no different. On 56 Nugent Street where the restaurant George Martin's once served the glamorous summer crowds, a new venture, Annie's Organic Café and Market, is poised to serve the Southampton community with new enthusiasm. This is juxtaposed to the venerable Village Cheese Shop on Main Street which itself is now under new management that vows to continue the traditions of great service but with a renewed spirit. Buying a great business and bringing in fresh energy and panache is always a good experience, and in this case, regulars of the Cheese Shop are glad it's staying in its location on Main Street.

Over on 76 Jobs Lane, the corner Restaurant that was Buckley's Bar in the past is again opening under a new management and looks forward to serving the community, according to the Southampton Chamber of Commerce. The still unmanned business is getting ready to open very soon. A source at the Chamber also was excited that Norah's, the wonderful clothing boutique owned by Sharon Kerr (Norah's is actually Sharon spelled backwards), is moving into much larger quarters at 46 Jobs Lane, a few doors down from its previous location. The source at the Chamber also expressed excitement that the internationally known brand named after fashion scion Diane Von Furstenberg is coming to Southampton Village. It is worth it to see what she has planned to showcase on her initial splash onto the Southampton scene. It will be thrilling to see Von Furstenberg's fashion vision so up close and personal in her shop, in fact a source says she herself will be in and out on many occasions during the preliminary period.

Also new for the 2009 season in Southampton is Hampton & Co., also on Jobs Lane, specializing in cloth bags, great ties and numerous accessories. Not too far away, the building that was a former Brown Harris Stevens office on Windmill Lane will now be the home of a health and fitness firm that has reportedly signed a three-year lease.

The feeling at all these new businesses is upbeat with anticipation of their initial season of serving Southampton.With plans to improve the already shopper-friendly walking village atmosphere that Southampton has created in the Jobs Lane section, town officials are thinking and pointing to the future. The Jobs Lane atmosphere may be duplicated on Windmill Lane in the future. In the village, shops are all ready for the new season, totally stocked with the latest of the new, as well as the classics from Brooks Brothers, Ralph Lauren, J Crew and others have been presenting to the Southampton clientele for generations. The same streets that saw screen legend Gary Cooper bring his young daughter for ice cream and an unassuming Jackie Kennedy walking about with her then young children are always ready to be traversed by the weekend visitors who will love the feel of the red brick sidewalks along with the annual plants and flowers that give the alleys and courts of Southampton a friendly feeling for shopping, walking and people watching.

Everyone is hoping for a breakout year in which the economy - both local and national - flourishes. The Southampton Chamber of Commerce is ready to serve anyone's need from its office right there on Main Street by the historic Chase Bank building. Southampton was the first Hampton Village, settled in 1640. Some say it is first in shopping, too. Everybody agrees it is a charming place to spend on a pleasant afternoon. It is the favorite location for shopping of my grown daughters when they make it out this way. It's a tradition for them to join so many others for that summer walk down Main Street and up Jobs Lane. And summer is almost here!