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Local Knit – A Montauk Mainstay

By Kathryn Bockino

When Pete Moore, the owner of Local Knit, speaks, images of iconic East End landmarks drift across one’s mind. He does not just speak with unequivocal passion for Montauk, Greenport, and the two Long Island Forks, but with pure awe. “There are just these small little things that add up to a very unique experience. From the way the beach looks in the morning, to the fog that rolls through town….” Pete trails off, his passion reflecting his love for the area. This love easily translates to his very fun and stylish authentic local apparel.

A few years ago when Pete was working and living in the very cosmopolitan Boston, he realized he wouldn’t be able to make it back home to Montauk for the summer. Feeling nostalgic, he contacted various local Montauk businesses inquiring if he could buy a shirt (or two). To his surprise, he could not find any shirts that represented his favorite, classic local businesses. It dawned on him that if he was craving authentic flair, then others must be as well. “I pitched the idea of, ‘You have such a great business, a great history. Lots of people love this place. How about we (Local Knit) work with you to create a shirt design?’” Pete said. Thus, Local Knit, a thriving business both online and in stores (one in Montauk and another in Greenport), was born.

Pete has two favorite components of his livelihood: the endearing stories from customers, and the individual businesses he closely works with. With the stories, and there are many to choose from, the customers are keen to share. Pete thinks, “This is why the store is a unique place, there is a ton of conversation. And for people who don’t know the local businesses, (the shirts) allow us to tell them about the places we work with.” Local Knit’s name is not only a play on “knit” tee shirts, but also on the idea of a “tight-knit” community. He compared it to a mini chamber of commerce. “People can come in and learn about Montauk and about all the great spots it has to offer.”

The other favorite part of his trade, the local businesses that inspired the shirts, is what has made him decide to begin an exciting new chapter: rebranding. He aspires to return to his original concept – focusing on the individual businesses. “We are actually rebranding as Montauk Mainstay; the ‘Mainstay’ referring to each of the businesses that we work with. The ‘Mainstays’are really what make the town, and I think that name reflects our business really well.” Later this summer the website will officially launch as Montauk Mainstay.

This change makes sense, especially after looking at Local Knit’s eye popping website. Click on any town’s banner (whether that be Montauk, Amagansett, East Hampton, Sag Harbor, or just the collective North Fork), click on any tee shirt, and one will instantly travel to that business, restaurant, or historical location the shirt in question embodies. Pictures and a colorful history are given for each, causing any Long Islander to reminisce about their happy summers taking pictures with Ronjo, eating lunch at Duryea’s, or listening to live music at The Montauket.

“These graphics, they mean so many different things to different people.” Pete said. Hence, if you want the true flavor of the east end, and to learn about local businesses, these classy, unique, and authentic shirts are the only way to go.

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