Where to shop for Long Island-themed gifts and merchandise
Merav Shiloni owns Thred, a boutique in Patchogue that sells Long Island-centric merchandise. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
From jewelry made with sand from Robert Moses State Park to cozy sweatshirts with the classic Long Island silhouette — whether you’re a lifelong Long Islander or making a summer comeback, there are plenty of local businesses selling one-of-a-kind mementos to remind you of home.
Business owners have gotten creative, incorporating ZIP codes and references to binge-worthy television shows in their Long Island-themed merchandise. And they all agree — these products are perfect as gifts for out-of-towners and residents alike.
Check out some options from a local brand, a boutique, an art gallery and a gift shop.
Thred
Opened in 2017, the boutique Thred in Patchogue boasts an entire section of Long Island-centric merchandise.
Owner Merav Shiloni says the section includes clothing, candles and bags that pay homage to our island, created by artists who know it best.
"It’s all people who live in my own neighborhood," says Shiloni, of Patchogue, "and the neighborhood of the store. Supporting small businesses is not only important for my business, but important for the community."
The boutique carries brands including Island Rose Designs, which creates handcrafted clothing and jewelry, and apparel from The Handmade Market Co.
Thred also sells bottle openers and wood boards from 612SignWorks, a wood-engraving business based in Medford. Carved into the wood boards are illustrations of Long Island with various community names and geographic coordinates.
Shiloni says the Long Island section is the boutique’s "top-selling merchandise." More info: 7 Village Green Way, Patchogue; thredny.com; 631-730-5755
The Handmade Market Co.
Elise Grillo founded The Handmade Market Co. after the success of her Etsy shop. Credit: Siobhan Becker
Four years ago, Elise Grillo was looking for a hobby to keep her busy on weeknights after work.
The East Patchogue resident started painting wood signs with a Long Island map and the word "Home" and selling them on Etsy.
"It got really great reactions from people," Grillo says. "After a few months of selling them, I decided to create an actual company and trademark my design."
Now her company, The Handmade Market Co., has its own website and sells a bit of everything. Grillo works with a printer in Medford on all of the apparel in the Home Collection, which includes clothing for men, women and babies. She prints the logo on all of the accessories herself, and that includes hats, drinkware, car decals and tote bags.
There are all kinds of color options for the clothing, but there is a common thread: Everything is "soft and comfortable," which is key for Grillo.
"We live in such a beautiful place," she says. "I love to represent that. It’s nice to be able to wear your pride on your shirt."
In addition to her online store, her merchandise is sold at Red Barn Boutique in Bellport, Thred in Patchogue and the Long Island Welcome Center off the Long Island Expressway in Dix Hills, to name a few.
Over the years, she’s been able to establish loyal and local clientele.
"Long Island-themed merchandise is really trendy," Grillo says. "It’s definitely a really big gift for people, even people who have moved out of state." More info: thehandmademarket.co
The Catbird Seat
Local artist Donna Howard is selling this original piece, an homage to Long Island, at The Catbird Seat in Sayville. Credit: Debi Wickliffe
There's an art gallery and store nestled among the small businesses of Sayville, filled with work by local artists.
The Catbird Seat has been in business since 2016. Owner Debi Wickliffe says about 40 artists sell their work at her store. Along with small keepsakes, there are plenty of art pieces for sale that will remind you of home wherever you display them.
"I find myself selling more artwork than anything else lately," says Wickliffe, of Bayport.
Additionally, The Catbird Seat carries Dune Jewelry. The line is known for incorporating sprinkles of sand from beaches all over the world into its necklaces, bracelets and rings. Each accessory notes the origin of the sand, including Sag Harbor and Southampton.
The store also carries scented vegan candles by Hamptons Handpoured, created by Brittany Torres of East Hampton. Each is named after a Long Island community, with different fragrance notes. For example, the Blue Point candle smells of violets, citrus and sea salt.
"We’re a family," Wickliffe says of the artists represented in her store. "We’re all working together to build an art community that welcomes artists from all over Long Island." More info: 18 Main St., Sayville; thecatbirdseat.us; 631-987-4213
The Codfish Cowboy
Ariel Ruggiero, left, visits Codfish Cowboy in Long Beach, with owner Angela Skudin. Credit: Linda Rosier
Across the Island and over the Loop Parkway, Angela Skudin is uplifting local artists in her shop, too. The Codfish Cowboy was established in 2015 and is a go-to gift shop on East Park Avenue in Long Beach. If you live nearby or are just surfing through, the merchandise will make your stay memorable, Skudin says.
Handmade pillows crafted by the company KD Mae Designs include the Long Beach ZIP code, and another version contains its geographic coordinates.
The store also carries drink tumblers by Driftless Studios that come in various colors and proclaim in shiny, silver letters, "The Real Housewives of Long Beach" — a playful nod to the television franchise. The tumblers are seasonal and restock each summer, making them ideal for the beach and boardwalk nearby.
And there are large tote bags with rope handles, ideal for summer activities, that say "Long Beach, New York," created by Remember Me Green.
These standouts only skim the surface. The Codfish Cowboy is home to shelves upon shelves of specialty greeting cards, art, mementos, jewelry and clothing, with new products coming in on a regular basis.
Skudin, who is originally from Oklahoma, settled in Long Beach with her family years ago.
"It’s so important to represent where you’re from nowadays," she says. "Everyone wants a sense of belonging." More info: 162 E. Park Ave., Long Beach; thecodfishcowboy.com; 516-442-5500
Rachel Weiss joined Newsday in 2016. As a real estate/living multimedia reporter, Rachel writes feature stories and contributes to and appears in on-camera video packages. She was the lead reporter on Newsday’s LI Acts of Kindness series.
