New stores open on Long Island: Clothing, books, beauty and more
New shopping and dining experiences are popping up around Long Island. From clothing boutiques to toy stores to spas and salons, shop 'til you drop at these new stores and look out for what's coming soon.
Envy by Melissa Gorga in Huntington
"The Real Housewives of New Jersey" star opened a boutique in March in Huntington. The easy-on-the-wallet inventory includes trendy women's accessories, dresses, jeans and swimwear. "There are so many amazing jeans, everyone will be able to find a great pair of jeans to bring home with them. We have beautiful spring dresses and the Envy gear,” her Envy-branded line of casual hoodies, T-shirts, sweatpants and more, “is a fan favorite,” Gorga says; 389A. New York Ave., Huntington, 631-602-7133, envybymg.com.
Katie's Vintage Rose in Stony Brook
The products owner Katelyn Hart’s sells here are not vintage, but vintage-inspired. The shop owned in March and Hart’s vision is crystal clear — feminine with a capital "F," frothy, and kind of magical. The bulk of her business is for grown-ups and includes loads of dreamy dresses from various brands — mostly pastel, flowery with lots of ruffles and tulle. These, she says, are getting snapped up for all kinds of occasions, including baby and bridal showers, engagement shoots and milestone birthdays; 142 Main St., Stony Brook, 631-285-2339, katesvintagerose.com.
The K9 Shop in Massapequa
Owners Anya and Robert Tucker now have Massapequa and Bohemia stores and independent franchisee locations in East Northport, Lynbrook, Manorville and Greenville, South Carolina. In March, they moved their Massapequa operation to a new storefront. The shop is twice as big, allowing them to hold seminars and carry more brands of raw meat mixes, bones and treats like yak milk chews. “Who would have thought that I was simply looking for better food for my dogs, and it would snowball into this,” says Tucker, who also works as an art teacher in Brooklyn. “It makes me feel good knowing that my work is benefiting the health of so many dogs and cats.” The shops also carry raw food for cats, a growing segment of her business.1073 N. Broadway, Massapequa, thek9shop.com, 516-400-3729.
The Snooki Shop in Huntington
Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi LaValle of the “Jersey Shore” reality TV franchise opened a boutique in February. Fans can shop loungewear, accessories and merch inspired by the reality show. Clothing, catering to ages 16 to 45, will include seasonal outfits and lots of lounge wear and accessories will include colorful Snooki sunglasses and Snooki slippers; 42 Gerard St., Huntington, thesnookishop.com.
Einstein’s Attic in Huntington
The toy store opened in February and sells a curated collection of baby clothes, gifts, and toys that owner Lori Badanes says “inspire imagination and curiosity.” The store also boasts a large selection of the latest educational toys, as well as online gifting. Fun merchandise for teens and tweens includes Jellycat toys, StickerBeans, Taylor Swift activity books and tumblers, board games, art supplies and sports cards. Prices start at $3.99 for books to $585 for a fully furnished doll house. Additionally, The store offers complimentary gift wrapping; 267 Main St., Huntington, 631-549-8743, shopeinsteinsattic.com.
American Thrift in Farmingville
Long Island bargain hunters have a new place to shop for resale treasures. American Thrift, a store that specializes in “gently used” clothing and household goods, opened in January at the Expressway Plaza in Farmingville. About half the store is dedicated to clothing for men, women and kids. They also carry small appliances, homewares and other items. Average prices run around $4 to $5; 2280 N. Ocean Ave., Farmingville, 516-202-0817, americanthrift.com.
Encore Une Fois in Oyster Bay
A thrift shop in Oyster Bay that caters to teens and beyond — Gen Z and Alphas among them — has appointed a 14-year-old as the director of style. Encore Une Fois (it means “once again” in French), which opened in December 2023, is the second store in town owned by Matthew Ruiz, 46, and his wife, Natascha, 49. The director of style happens to be their daughter, Madeleine, a freshman at Oyster Bay High School. At Encore the average price point ranges from $15 to $24. Set in a renovated 1,200-square-foot space where the signature color is Tiffany Blue accented with rose gold, there are jam-packed racks of clothing (some new with tags), accessories and even decorative items. Find brands such as Levi’s and AG jeans; a Zara jacket; Steve Madden shoes; Kate Spade handbags and Vineyard Vines’ ties. In the mix: charms for Crocs, on-trend shield sunglasses, bracelets, frames and more; 103 South St., Oyster Bay; 516-922-1086.
Neverending Story in Babylon
Babylon's thriving Main Street kicked off 2024 with a new bookstore. The Neverending Story, a roughly 1,000-square-foot independent shop, features hundreds of books of all genres. For the store's owner, Colleen Kinneary, it's also the latest chapter in a career that's been devoted to her passion for books. The shelves are stocked with classics, bestsellers, children's' books and more; 9 W. Main St., Babylon, 631-526-9620.
Party in the Park in Massapequa Park
When littles walk into this magical boutique on Park Boulevard in Massapequa Park, they are welcomed by a cheerful rainbow mat, Montessori-style toys and a pretend village inspired by actual stores in town. Party in the Park, which opened in December 2023, is a kids’ play space and clothing store for 1- to 6-year-olds. Hourlong open play sessions are $20 a child. Private 60-minute play dates for 10 run $200. Classes in art, movement and music run 60 minutes and cost around $35. Booking in advance is recommended. Birthday packages start at $325, depending on duration and number of guests. An in-house boutique features rompers, dresses, sweaters and more for newborns up to age 6. Prices run around $20 and up; 1019 Park Blvd., Massapequa Park, 516-308-3751, partyinthepark.me.
Huntington Thrift in Huntington Station
The store offers a curated collection of previously owned goods, ranging from antiques and vintage clothing to housewares, tools and collectibles. The majority of the contents sold at the shop are found at estate buyouts, online auctions and tag sales. Some items you'll find while exploring the shop is a coin-operated 1930s slot machine, 1960s midcentury glassware, oil on canvas paintings, a signed 8-by-10 photograph of Kobe Bryant, and a 1920s French bronze urn. T-shirts start at $2.99, records, DVDs, CDs and books are $1.99 and vintage clothing starts at $9.99; 2087 New York Ave., Huntington Station.
The Red Thread Atelier in Locust Valley
Needlepointing is a laborious craft that many people began during the lockdown days of the pandemic. Many think of '70s-era vintage when they think of needlepoint, but The Red Thread Atelier offers much more, including modern designs with bright, bold colors and cheeky sayings. The shop opened in September 2023 and holds frequent classes for the public to join, including beginner classes, intermediate classes, a casual stitch night, and lessons on how to paint your own canvasses and ornaments to stitch. Products start at $60 for a small canvas, with an average cost of about $100 to $120 for a ornament-sized project including colored threads. Larger projects can cost upward of $300. Classes range from $65 to $165; 43 The Plaza, Locust Valley, 516-962-9422, theredthreadatelier.com.
Hometown Flower Co. in Huntington
The flower shop welcomed anthophiles in November 2023. Huntington residents Jaclyn Rutigliano and Marc Iervolino, a husband-and-wife duo,opened a brick-and-mortar iteration of the mobile floral business they started in 2019. The store sells a variety of one-of-a-kind fresh and dried floral products, as well as offers a space for people to make DIY projects with flowers. The shop hosts Hometown Holiday Workshops, where people can make DIY floral gifts, such as ornaments, wreathsand snow globes. There will also be children’s classes called Saturday Morning Florals. Standard Flowers in a Bag arrangements start at $45 and DIY dried flower bud vases start at $20; 333 Main St., Huntington, 516-644-9105, hometownflowerco.com.
TandyWear in Commack
Long Island retailer Tandy Jeckel has expanded her fashion fleet by opening her third clothing store in Commack. “It’s like Tandy Land,” she says. TandyWear, on Jericho Turnpike, celebrated its grand opening in November 2023. “It’s an elevated boutique for juniors and women,” says Jeckel. Racks and shelves in the inviting space feature seasonal selections of pants, tops, dresses, jumpsuits, coats and accessories. Clothing prices range from about $19 to $98, with some items and coats selling for up to $225. Accessories, such as chunky teardrop earrings, start at about $20; 6037 Jericho Tpke., tandywear.com.
Willow and Bloom in Wading River
The rustic and homey houseplant boutique opened in September 2023, putting down decades-old roots in Wading River. Around the store, a former flower shop, beginners will find relatively low-maintenance plants like pothos, a trailing plant with heart-shaped leaves, syngonium, also known as arrowhead vine, and various types of philodendron. People can bring a plant here for rehab if they're having issues maintaining its health. More advanced plant parents may opt for anthurium hookeri variegated, a plant with frilly, paddle-shaped leaves. Plant prices range from $8 to $75. Plants are guaranteed for 14 days. They come with matching laminated cards with care instructions. In addition to potted plants, the shop features candles, ornamental pottery, jewelry and macramé plant holders; 2 Sound Rd., Wading River, 631-886-1701.
Angels of Long Island General Store in Mastic
At Angels of Long Island, “neighbors helping neighbors” is the motto. The thrift shop opened a new Mastic location with a free general store in November 2023. The shop aims to provide clothing and home goods at bargain prices. The thrift shop carries men’s, women’s and children’s clothing and housewares, home goods, seasonal items and greeting cards for purchase. Proceeds and donations from the public, Long Island Cares, Island Harvest and thrift store sales help fill the free pantry at their general store in Mastic. The general store has produce, meat, canned goods, dairy, cleaning and baby supplies and cold cuts. Salads and sandwiches are also donated by grocery stores. New clients must show photo ID and fill out a form with questions about their income, household size and other information to determine their level of need. Clients can shop at the store once a month and can fill up to five grocery bags each visit; 14 Herkimer St., Mastic, 631-803-6775, angelsoflongisland.com.