New shop's art and food -- made on LI
Ewa Rumprecht shows a piece by woodwork artist Harry Wicks of Long Island. Wicks' works are among the items in the shop she co-owns with Jolanta Zamecka in Oyster Bay called Think Long Island First. It opens Thursday. (Oct. 1, 2010) Credit: Jason Andrew
Lots of people talk about dealing only in Long Island products and goods, but two Oyster Bay women are doing something about it.
On Thursday their store at 36 Audrey Ave., Oyster Bay -- called Think Long Island First -- opens with a clear goal in mind: to promote the artworks and homemade goods of Long Islanders.
The store is the brainchild of Ewa Rumprecht, a musicologist by education, and Jolanta Zamecka, a psychologist. "We believe we are unique," said Rumprecht. "There are galleries that present local artists," but they feature only art, she said. "They don't also sell [Long Island] jam and jelly. There are farm stands, but they only sell food."
Think Long Island First will sell pottery, photography, stationary, metal sculpture, cosmetics, jewelry, knits, honey and, yes, jam and jelly - all made on Long Island.
"Supporting the local economy is really important to us," Rumprecht said. "That was the main reason." Noted wood turner and guest artist Harry Wicks of Cutchogue will be on hand at the opening.
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