North Fork's Aquebogue proud of its rural vibe of vineyards and farms
Charles Boulbul of Brooklyn, center, with Susan DeAndrea, left, and Doc DeAndrea of Las Vegas, on the deck of Paumanok Vineyards' tasting room. Credit: Newsday/John Paraskevas
THE SCOOP Though it’s a teeny hamlet of just about 2,500 residents, Aquebogue is home to two vineyards, an apple orchard, farmstands, marinas and beaches on Flanders Bay, and Indian Island County Park just over the border in Riverhead.
Docks and boats are a common sight along the southern shore of Aquebogue. Credit: Newsday/John Paraskevas
The hamlet is still very rural — it’s home to Crescent Duck Farm, the last of its kind on Long Island — residents are nearer the expressway than points east on the North Fork, said Janet Bidwell, a real estate agent with Douglas Elliman who’s lived in the hamlet since 1987. “You’re closer to all the shopping and to the hospital,” Bidwell said.
Nora Mack and Jared Hallock brought their children, Teddi, 5, and Victor, 2, (who is hidden), to Bayview Market & Farms on a late October day. Credit: Newsday/John Paraskevas
There’s no mail delivery in the hamlet, unless you have a Riverhead address, but most residents have post office boxes at the Aquebogue post office.
Travelers on Route 25A in Aquebogue can spy an unusual roadside curiosity built in 1928 on the south side known as the Witch’s Hat. The wood-shingled structure, which once sold candy and ice cream and resembles a small lighthouse, was deemed a landmark by the Town of Riverhead in 1987. A two-minute drive to the east is the Modern Snack Bar, drawing visitors with its iconic neon sign.
The Modern Snack Bar, with lts iconic neon sign, is a popular stop in Aquebogue. Credit: Newsday/John Paraskevas
Named Aquebogue by settlers in the late 1600s after the Indian word meaning “head of the bay” or “cove place,” the hamlet split from the town of Southold and became part of the new Town of Riverhead in 1792.
In May, Aquebogue’s Bell Town, an area founded by four siblings from the Bell family who left Virginia during the Great Migration of Black residents from the South in the 1930s, was designated Riverhead’s first honorary heritage area.
North Fork Chocolate Company also serves coffee, baked goods and vegetarian meals. Credit: Newsday/John Paraskevas
The Peconic Land Trust recently purchased Broad Cove, a 100-acre former duck farm on Flanders Bay, to help protect water quality and wildlife.
Housing stock consists of farmhouses, horse farms and waterfront properties, with houses starting at about $500,000 and going up to more than $3 million for a four- or five-bedroom waterfront property. Trailer homes can be had for under $100,000, and condos and town houses can start at less than $500,000.
Helen's Farm Stand on Union Avenue. Credit: Newsday/John Paraskevas
CONDOS AND CO-OPS There is one condo on the market, listed for $625,000.
SALE PRICES Between Oct. 1, 2021, and Oct. 31, 2022, there were 39 home sales with a median sale price of $714,000, according to OneKey MLS. The low price for that period was $54,900 and the high was $3 million. During that period a year earlier there were 43 home sales with a median sale price of $595,000. The price range was $346,000 to $1.895 million.
OTHER STATS
Town Riverhead
Area 3.8 square miles
ZIP code 11931
Population 2,547
Median age 45.4
Median household income $103,734
Median home value $732,000
Monthly LIRR ticket from Riverhead $450
School district, graduation rate Riverhead, 80%
Park Meeting House Creek Park
Library Riverhead
Hospital Peconic Bay Medical Center
Transit Suffolk County Transit Route 92
Sources: 2020 Census; 2020 American Community Survey; OneKey MLS; LIRR, data.nysed.gov
NOW ON THE MARKET
Priced at $3.25 million, this Colonial on Overlook Drive is set on Meeting House Creek. Credit: LocalVR 360 Tours /Matt Jensen
$3.25 million
Built in 2004, this 3,000-square-foot Colonial on Meeting House Creek features four bedrooms, 3½ baths, hardwood floors, cathedral ceilings in the foyer and kitchen, a gourmet kitchen, wood-paneled den, all-season room with radiant floors, and primary suite with a private deck and hot tub. The 1.2-acre property has dockage for eight boats, multiple wood decks, a heated pool, and attached two-car garage. Taxes are $24,000. Allison Galasso, Kerrigan Country Realty, 631-288-9600.
Priced at $1.295 million, this postmodern on Heritage Lane features a great room with a fireplace. Credit: Rise Media/Bobby Alan
$1.295 million
This 2,650-square-foot postmodern built in 1986 with an open floor plan has a large front porch, four bedrooms, three bathrooms, hardwood floors, a great room with a fireplace, and a full unfinished basement. The partially fenced 1.05-acre property has a deck and masonry patio. Taxes are $14,500. Valerie Goode, Colony Realty, 631-722-5800.
Priced at $825,000, this Cape on Church Lane sits on 1 acre atop a hill. Credit: Douglas Elliman Realty
$825,000
This 1,484-square-foot 1950 Cape has three bedrooms, one bathroom, hardwood floors, a wood-paneled sunroom, kitchen with new cabinets, counters and floors, and new rain gutters. The 1.02-acre property, which sits atop a hill, has a brick patio and a detached two-car garage with attic space. Taxes are $5,795. Dolores Peterson, Douglas Elliman Real Estate, 631-298-8000.
RECENTLY SOLD
$3 million
Peconic Bay Blvd.
Style Mediterranean
Bedrooms 7
Bathrooms 4 full, 2 half
Built 1994
Lot size 1.3 acres
Taxes $27,299
+/- List price -$750,000
Days on market 251
$950,000
Whites Ln.
Style Victorian
Bedrooms 4
Bathrooms 3
Built 2002
Lot size 1.12 acres
Taxes $16,081
+/- List price -$25,000
Days on market 296
$850,000
Sunup Trail
Style Ranch
Bedrooms 3
Bathrooms 2
Built 1991
Lot size 1.1 acres
Taxes $10,189
+/- List price -$99,000
Days on market 146
ON ONEKEY MLS
Number of listings 17
Price range $67,950 to $3.25 million
Tax range $2,950 to $24,000
