Holiday Goodies in the Hamptons

By Ruth Thomas

From Westhampton Beach to Montauk, holiday shopping is always a special treat in the Hamptons. Goodies can be found in the many independently owned shops, stores, and boutiques throughout the Villages of the Hamptons. Featuring stylish clothing, unique jewelry, great books, gourmet cheeses, and more. Support your community by shopping local over the holidays.
The popular Village of Westhampton Beach is known for its many charming shops. From books to clothing, you can find it all at the chic boutiques along Main Street. Lynne’s Cards & Gifts, owned since 1989 by Lynne Jones, carries timeless and trendy toys and gifts for all ages and occasions.

Books & Books Westhampton Beach owned by Jack McKeown and Denise Berthiaume since 2010, has over 16,000 volumes, including general fiction, nonfiction, children’s books, and an extensive art and photography section. Diana’s Unique Boutique, owned since 2006 by Diana Mathews, presents women’s clothing and accessories, cashmere sweaters and dresses, hardtail yoga clothing, and features designer Joseph Ribkoff. Visit Shock, established in 1985, specializing in fun, trendy women’s clothing from size 0 to 2X, as well as accessories and shoes; and Baby Shock, since 2000, for newborns to tweens, both owned by Elyse Richman. Mustique, opened in 2004, carries preppy and contemporary men’s clothes and contemporary women’s clothing. Next door, Hampton House, since 2014, is a gift store with home goods, candles, and baby items, both owned by Nadine Hampton. Tweed, opened in 2015 by Shannon and Victor Lupis, is a gift and novelty shop for every age group. Featuring unique jewelry, home goods, toys, holiday items, candles, and picture frames.
Head to the Village of Southampton and discover unique shops featuring fine jewelry, clothing, toys, a cute canine couture boutique, and an historic department store on Main Street. Established in 1842, Hildreth’s Home Goods on Main Street is the oldest family-owned and operated department store in the United States, displaying furniture, housewares, bed and bath products, and more. Says owner Henry Hildreth, “I’m honored to represent the thirteenth generation of Hildreth’s in America, as we approach our 175th Anniversary coming up in 2017!”

White’s Apothecary on Hampton Road in Southampton, opened in 2015, and its revamped East Hampton store, reopened in 2013, now both owned by NYCO Chemist. Executive Director Diana Dolling-Ross says, “It’s your destination for beauty and wellness.” Offering Lasco soy candles with hand-blown Italian glass vases, cosmetic bags, diffusers, costume jewelry, fragrances, holiday scented candles, soaps, ornaments, and more.

Go south on Main Street and visit Tenet, owned by Jesse Warren, opened in 2010, for cool women and men’s clothing. Browse in Edward Archer, owned by Edward Knobler since 1979, for high-end men’s clothing and accessories, including shoes. Corwin’s Jewelers, founded in 1879 is a fifth generation bench jeweler, owned by Travis Corwin. Rose Jewelers, owned by Jan Rose, is a third generation jeweler, specializing in fine and designer jewelry since 1945. Stop by The Village Gourmet Cheese Shoppe owned since 2009 by John Grecu, for gift baskets of fine cheeses and cheese platters.

On Jobs Lane check out J. McLaughlin Women’s store, featuring women’s clothing and accessories and their Men’s store a few doors down, featuring men’s clothing and accessories, both located in the historic Tower Building built by Samuel L. Parrish in the early 1900s. Topiaire Flower Shop, owned since 1991 by Erin Meaney, displays cut flowers, orchids, candles and hostess gift items. Delight in Stevenson’s Toys & Games, owned by Roy and Polly Stevenson since 2001. Presenting classic toys and games for children, jigsaw puzzles, and trampolines. For your special pooch, pop in to Little Lucy’s Canine Couture Boutique, owned by Patricia Hurley since 2000, named after her sweet poodle-bichon, Lucy, who sadly passed away in 2015 at age 18½. The boutique continues in her memory and includes adorable clothing for dogs as well as cute gifts for dog lovers. Featuring gorgeous holiday apparel and festive treats for dogs.

Visit the Village of Sag Harbor, a boating town and historic whaling port. On Main Street stop at Sag Harbor Variety 5 & 10, a Ben Franklin Craft supplier, established in 1922, owned by the Bucking family since 1970. Daughter Lisa Field continues its tradition with the largest selection of crafts and notions on the East End. Lee Jewelers offers unique, all precious handmade jewelry (mostly gold and some silver), designed by owner Lee Elliot and his daughter Dori, in Sag Harbor since 2005. Check out The Wharf Shop, a specialty toy and gift store co-owned by Gwen Waddington and her mother Nada Barry since 1968. Country Lane, owned by Vicki Nolan since 1999, the only country store in the Hamptons, specializes in home furnishings and gifts. Sylvester & Co. founded by Lynda Sylvester in 1989, offers home furnishings, candles, books, clothing, shoes, and scarves for men and women. life’style, owned by Debbie Rudoy since 2007, is a women’s fashion boutique, featuring dresses and accessories. LA MAISONETTE, owned by Lynn and Christopher Charveriat, opened in 2010, highlights French and Belgium antiques, European furniture, and scented candles, located in the historic Gingerbread House. Stella & Ruby opened in 2015, owned by Gabrielle Fisher, carries specialty clothes and toys for newborns and children.

Stroll through the Village of East Hampton for some sophisticated fashion. On Newtown Lane, find women’s high-end sportswear for tennis, golf, and running at Tory Sport opened in May 2016, founded by Tory Burch. Check out RRL & Co., opened in 2008, one of four Ralph Lauren stores on Main Street for casual, vintage clothing, located in a beautiful old historic barn. Figue, founded by Stephanie Von Watzdorf, opened in East Hampton in 2015. Presenting high-end women’s clothing, jewelry, accessories, handbags, and sandals. For the bookworm, browse in Bookhampton, now owned by Carolyn Brody, opened in May 2016. Featuring New York Times bestsellers, biography, history, great art and architecture, and children’s books.

In Amagansett, enter Love, Adorned in Amagansett Square, opened in 2012 by Lori Leven. Displaying a well-collected inventory of fine jewelry, textiles, ceramics, fragrances, soaps, candles, and home décor.

The Hamptons has so many lovely shops and boutiques throughout its many villages and hamlets. As you travel from town to town, make sure to visit the Parrish Art Museum, sip some wine at Wölffer Estate Vineyard, or dine at one of the many fine restaurants. Take your time to savor the scenic beauty of the Hamptons, while finding some wonderful gifts for the holidays.