21-year-old opens Eastbound Trading Company in West Sayville 

For easygoing men’s clothes, plus unisex activewear, set a course that’s Eastbound. That’s actually not a reference to a GPS coordinate but to a new store in West Sayville — Eastbound Trading Company,  opened by a 21-year-old Long Islander in April. 

“I’ve been slowly building and fine-tuning my inventory during the past few months,” says proprietor Max Procopio, who had worked odd jobs and taken some online courses at Suffolk Community College during the pandemic before deciding to roll up his sleeves and go into business. 

“It’s only me. It’s a one-man show,” he says, when asked about his staff. He adds that his parents, Lauren and Joe, have been his go-to sources of inspiration and business know-how to get his business off the ground. His mother, he says, has extensive experience in retail, while his father has expertise in the world of graphic design.

It’s all about ease and carrying clothing, accessories and lifestyle gear “that look good, feel good and that are as comfortable as they are affordable.” 

The store offers a curated blend of familiar brands as well as the store’s own logo-embossed line.

Selections include Wolverine, which is known for its durable flannels and T-shirts, Reyn Spooner, whose Hawaiian shirts can lend an instant island vibe to any gathering, and Tommy Bahama, whose knit shirts and polos are options if you’re interested in slightly dressier pieces to add to a wardrobe.

Also available: clothes for men and women that include sweatshirts, henleys, and short- and long-sleeve tops. Each is embroidered or printed with the store’s logos. Those insignia feature the store name alongside either a compass or fishing gear that evoke the outdoorsy, nautical feel that’s a big part of Procopio’s way of life.

“My family always went out east when I was a kid,” says Procopio whose love for boating began as a child growing up in Sayville. “We had a camper. We would go camp out east and we would camp in Montauk, even for the day. I loved it. It became the perfect inspiration for what to call the store.”

Hoodies and quarter-zip tops are around $55, short-sleeve tees are $27 and long-sleeve henleys are $37.

“It’s a work in progress,” he says of the store. “It’s an exciting time.”

Eastbound Trading Company is located at 102 Main St., in West Sayville. Store hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday and are set to expand in the summer; 631-256-6239.