An evolving community, the North Fork is home to creatives, makers, and entrepreneurs, both transplants and those with local roots. A bevy of new businesses continue to open, expand, or change hands, each adding their distinct touch to make it their own while keeping in tune with the local culture. It keeps the North Fork interesting and a place people keep coming back to. Launching in the summer season reaches the largest and most diverse audience with heightened tourism populations and locals rediscovering what’s new in their favorite towns and villages. This season a wave of business owners have opened up shop, or in some cases a popup, to bring us that something new we have been looking for.
Ray Design
Modern, iconic, obscure, contemporary, funky, and what lies in between is what can be found in the eclectic collection displayed in Ray Design Shop. Tucked away on East Front Street is one of Greenport’s newest shops featuring vintage décor, original prints, and modern objects for the home. It is carefully curated by the shop’s proprietor Michael Aron with creative director Nola Lopez. Original and printed works of art in frames, Scandinavian glass, ceramics, and pottery, vintage pieces and contemporary reproductions of classic designs, books, and more from a revolving list of makers are for sale. Think goods from Germany, Italy, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, France, and the United States. The midcentury pieces offer a unique history and their own stories to tell.
www.raynewyork.com
Lumber + Salt Popup
John Mazur is a man of many design hats. He owns architecture and design firm Mazur and Co., specializing in one-of-a-kind structures and interiors made of repurposed and reclaimed materials, a store called Lumber and Salt which is home to his Material Objects of individual repurposed pieces, and a graphic design and packaging studio, all in Jamesport. This summer, Lumber and Salt has a popup on Love Lane in the former Capital One bank space, offering a special backdrop to an inventory of antique, vintage, repurposed and reclaimed pieces as well as art. Attracting those with a distinctive aesthetic, the popup is sure to wow design enthusiasts looking for different-than-your-average home décor.
www.mazurandco.com
Main Roots Salon and Blow Dry Bar
While the blow dry bar trend is nothing new in New York City and the Hamptons, it is new for the North Fork. Main Roots Salon and Blow Dry Bar in Southold opened up shop for its first summer season just recently with owner Kerry Conrardy at the helm. The North Fork resident had 10 years of working as a local stylist before being able to open her own salon, something that she says has been a lifelong dream. Now open in Southold, the salon is an understated tropical space that is clean, sleek, and comfortable, attracting clients and walk-ins to indulge in everything from highlights to the famous blowout, a refreshing, quick service with a wash, dry, and style.
www.mainrootssalon.com
North Fork Brewing Co.
Well known is the Long Island wine region amassing more than 40 wineries and vineyards since its first vines were planted in 1973. This type of agriculture has helped the North Fork to standout, attracting others to follow suit in their own way. Less common but growing are breweries. Latest to the scene amongst a small handful of others is North Fork Brewing Co. With their hopyard located in Peconic, owners Peter Barraud and Ian Van Bourgondien just opened their Riverhead tasting room on East Second Street at the end of June. As a farm brewery they endeavor to grow all of their own ingredients and source others locally to highlight a true North Fork flavor of beer. On tap are a mix of traditional IPAs and a twist on their own versions, a rotating selection that will vary throughout the seasons as the duo expands on their craft brew creations.
www.northforkbrewingco.com
