Dan's Papers - July 3, 2009 - New Kids on the Block

Partners Gayle Calamita and Marjorie Scanlon from Around Again in Sag Harbor have opened a new boutique next door to Le Chef restaurant called Ava's. A beautiful space stocked with an affordable selection of great women's clothing, jewelry and accessories, along with select designer consignment. For those who like to window shop in the evening, the shop will be open late so that strollers can step into the shop and browse. Scanlon and Calamita are pleased to welcome Tracey Tooker with her internationally acclaimed hat collections. Tooker is available on weekends for custom fittings and special orders or to personally help choose the perfect hat for the discerning wearer from her extensive collection on display at Ava's. Open 7 days until late evening, when the crowd stops shopping!

Jewelry Designer Margo Manhattan will be hosting a pop-up shop inside Jill Lynn and Co. Manhattan has a reputation as a visionary and iconic jewelry designer. Since she was 5 years old, the Hamptons have been Manhattan's home away from home. As a child, she spent hours scouring the shore for sea glass, which ultimately led to her fascination with all that glistened. Refining her taste from Swarovski crystals and paper maché, her current collection features exquisite gemstones set in sterling and 18k and finished in Manhattan's unique styling. Manhattan's approach is sleek, versatile, elegant, captivating and sexy. The Hamptons host her current clientele and offers her a captive audience to introduce her latest collections and timeless classics.

Cook Travel/American Express recently changed locations from Hampton Road to 71 Hill Street in Southampton. The agency, one of the first on the East End, started nearly ninety years ago as Osborne Travel, founded by John Osborne, Sr. in 1920. In 1973 Mrs. Joan Foley purchased the agency from the Osbornes and later sold it to Stephanie McNamara. In May of 2000, Osborne Travel was bought by Lorelle Fallon, who changed the name to Cook Travel, bringing the agency under the American Express umbrella. She presently manages the Cook Travel East Hampton branch. In 2002 she sold the business to Blake Fleetwood, the present owner. "A lot of people who stopped using a travel agent to book their vacations have returned," says Susan Hazard, the current manager at Cook Travel. "People want that personal interaction and the assurance that someone they know is standing behind them and will be their advocate."

Shopping in the Hamptons will never be the same with the updated Biba Boutique. Owner Barbara Blatt handpicks Biba's collection of snazzy lines featuring new designer Karina Grimaldi, Sky tops and dresses, Mini Rose cashmeres and all the sought after brands of designer denim. By popular demand, the newest addition features a men's line that includes Laguna Jeans and Christian Audiger. This summer the shop promises to provide a one-stop-shopping experience, with everything the stylish Hamptons woman or man needs to be summer chic. Biba specializes in putting together a hand picked wardrobe for any event and offers a special "Biba Goody Box" sent directly to your door. You can call for a private appointment or consultation at 516.316.7880.

Broken Colour Works, a favorite in the Hamptons, is having a Grand Re-opening celebration this weekend. After closing the shop in January, back by popular demand, owner Shannon Willey has revamped the Sag Harbor space with a new, expanded line of Fermob outdoor furnishings, whose bistro chairs and tables have always been an East End favorite. They will offer complimentary ice tea and lemon squares to celebrate the occasion, so stop by and have a treat while browsing the new inventory. Open weekends from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Don't forget you can find their Southampton location at 27 Hampton Road, open daily.

Greenport Art & Design is a paint-your-own pottery studio, boutique & contemporary art gallery that has just arrived on the North Fork. Adults and children are welcome to paint, shop and enjoy the ever-changing array of local art on their walls. In addition to walk-in painting, they offer parties, adult nights, art camps and take-home painting packages. The studio offers the highest quality bisque in the industry, and the client list ranges from fun-seeking families to professional artists and designers. Pottery painters can walk in, choose a piece of pottery from the shelves, relax and paint away. Party packages are available for in-store or at-home parties. Their boutique offers handmade jewelry, children's clothes stitched by a Southold mom, handbags, hair accessories and organic wool sweaters. Also available are small artworks and photos by local artists, framed in antique watchcases, pottery beauties by Dagmar (I remember Dagmar from Sag Harbor) and a sprinkling of original drawings by owner Elizabeth Karsch. Saturday morning story hour is offered free to the public from 10-11 a.m. - just call to reserve a seat!

Are you a new business and want everyone to know about you? E-mail Maria at: NewKids@danspapers.com.