Lifelong resident says Smithtown has small-town aspects, but is not 'quaint and cute'

Lisa Spica, 46, has lived in Smithtown for the majority of her life, and three years ago, she became a business owner in the community too. Spica’s shop, Dance ‘N’ Things, located at 79 E. Main St., caters to all types of performers, whether they’re dancing on a stage, twirling on ice or flipping through air.

How long has the store been in Smithtown?

The store has been here 15 and a half years. It was actually where the Chamber [of Commerce] now is. It moved all of two doors down.

What attracted you to open this store in Smithtown?

I didn’t open it. I took it over. The person who did open it worked for a dance studio in Smithtown and realized that there was a need for something like this locally because there wasn’t anything like this around here. I was working here for two years and when she decided to retire she sold it to me.

What do you like about living in Smithtown?

I grew up in Smithtown, so it’s what I know.

To an outsider, how would you describe the character of Smithtown?

It has everything you need. It’s a busy town. It’s not like the towns on the South Shore that are quaint and cute, but it has a lot to offer. It does have a small town feel in the sense that everyone knows everyone in Smithtown. Like that sixth degrees of Kevin Bacon thing, you can go, “Yeah, I know them, too.”