Stony Brook Village and Madison’s Niche have announced an addition to the lifestyle center — D.K. Brothers by Madison’s Niche. Expected to open this Fall, the boutique will offer a curated collection of men’s apparel, lifestyle gifts, and luxury pet accessories.
Customers can expect to shop denim, t-shirts, dress shirts, casual wear, small leather goods, travel accessories, home accents, fragrances, books, and many more gift categories. D.K. Brothers will also feature an elevated pet collection to shop for special outfits, accessories, toys, bowls, beds, treats, and more.
Karen McAvoy founded Madison’s Niche in 2012 with her daughter, Madison, as the brand’s inspiration and namesake. Like Madison’s Niche, D.K. Brothers is a concept inspired by and named for Karen’s sons, Daniel and Kenneth. Today, over a decade later, Madison’s Niche remains a celebrated retail staple that has since expanded to eight brick-and-mortar locations (Stony Brook Village, Huntington, Garden City, Sayville, Plainview, Rye Brook, and Woodbury) along with an e-commerce platform.
To stay updated, visit madisonsniche.com, stonybrookvillage.com, and on social media @madisonsnicheboutique and @stonybrookvillage.
Look Book Luncheons are back for Spring 2023. Photo from WMHO
Spring styles have sprung! Foodies and shopaholics unite for a three-part series of luncheon fashion shows in Stony Brook Village. Each part of the series will take place from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. at a different restaurant (Mirabelle Restaurant at Three Village Inn, Luca Modern Italian Restaurant and The Country House Restaurant) and each will feature different Spring styles from Mint, Chico’s, Loft, Madison’s Niche and Ecolin Jewelers. $35 per person at each restaurant for a prix fix lunch.
As guests enjoy their lunch, models will stroll through the restaurants, sharing information about the Spring fashion and accessories they are wearing. The three-part series will take place at separate dining locations – On May 4, at Mirabelle Restaurant at the Three Village Inn, on May 11 at Luca Modern Italian Restaurant, and May 18 at the Country House Restaurant.
To make your reservation, contact the restaurants directly. Mirabelle Restaurant can be contacted at (631) 751-0555 and is located in the historic Three Village Inn, at 150 Main Street in Stony Brook Village. Luca Modern Italian Restaurant’s phone number is (631) 675–0435and is located at 93 Main Street in Stony Brook Village. The Country House Restaurant’s phone number is (631) 751-3332 and is located at 1175 North Country Road in Stony Brook.
TandyWear in Commack recently expanded. Photo by Rita J. Egan
COVID-19 has impacted business globally, but for local mom-and-pop shops across Long Island, they have been hit twice as hard.
Between the impact of online retailers, plus big box stores, the pandemic has made it even more difficult to make a sale for these smaller businesses.
When people shop small, the sales tax goes right back into the local economy. The community depends on these stores to make the village look great, while also supporting a neighbor.
That’s why on Thanksgiving weekend, Small Business Saturday immediately followed the biggest shopping day of the year, Black Friday, with hopes to bring revenue into the smaller stores.
All weekend long throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties, local shop owners gleamed with hope that customers would continue their holiday shopping “small” and keeping these businesses afloat.
Here’s what some small business owners had to say:
Madison’s Niche, 83 Main St., Stony Brook/14 Wall St., Huntington
Madison’s Niche employees. Photo by Julianne Mosher
Madison’s Niche, with four locations throughout Long Island, is a lifestyle boutique that sells everything from baby onesies to UGG boots to home décor.
At the Stony Brook Village Center store, director Carolynn Mertens said that they did “fantastic” this past holiday weekend.
“We’re up in sales,” she said. “We’re very grateful to be up, and we didn’t think it was going to happen, but we’re very lucky.”
From Friday to Sunday, Mertens said she saw dozens of people shopping with their holiday lists in hand, while a lot of people were even shopping for themselves.
“I think people want to support small businesses,” she said. “They don’t want to see any more empty stores in their community and are trying to keep our mom-and-pop stores alive.”
Compared to a big box store or the mall, Mertens believes that customers feel more comfortable shopping in her stores.
“Our stores are easy to shop in,” she said. “We can maintain social distancing and we are constantly disinfecting.”
Cat Rosenbaum stands behind the counter of her Mount Sinai store. Photo by Julianne Mosher
Rose & Boom Boutique, 176 N. Country Road, Mount Sinai/412 N. Country Road, St. James
Cat Rosenboom, owner of Rose & Boom in Mount Sinai and St. James, said that supporting local business is more important than ever.
“I always say to shop small,” she said. “But it’s even more true this year.”
Rosenboom, who has owned the Mount Sinai location for four years this month, opened her second store in St. James nearly six months before the stay-at-home shutdown.
“We had just opened up and then had to close the door once we started to get our name out there,” she said.
But despite the coronavirus crisis, she said people were shopping and supporting her stores throughout the whole pandemic, by purchasing things online through her social media accounts. She delivered them personally to customers close by.
“You get a personal experience here that you won’t get at a big box store,” she said. “We take pride in getting to know our customers and their families.”
Rosenboom said she and her colleagues at the stores are constantly donating and hosting fundraisers for people in the community.
“We want to give back,” she said.
Known for their trendy women’s clothing, unique accessories and fun gift ideas, Rose & Boom receives new arrivals every day, so styles are always changing. She also will host local retailer pop-ups to support fellow small business owners.
“We like to help local retailers and get the word out about their business,” she said.
Leading up to Black Friday, the shops did daily surprise sales every day in hopes to bring people in — and it worked.
“We allowed 10 people in the stores at a time, and they were busy the entire day,” she said.
TandyWear owner Tandy Jeckel with employees Penny Silverstein. Photo by Rita J. Egan
TandyWear, 89 Commack Road, Commack
TandyWear has been in business for over 20 years and owner Tandy Jeckel said shopping at her store is a safe and fun experience, especially during these unprecedented times.
“We’re on a first-name basis with our customers,” she said. “You’ll get a personalized experience — we have an amazing team, amazing stylists, we’ll find your style.”
Jeckel said that this past Saturday was the best Small Business Saturday they have ever had.
“It was amazing,” she said. “We had so much foot traffic. It was great.”
Known for their dressy wear, comfy wear, going out wear and trendy wear, the store has something for everyone.
“We get new styles daily, and we sell masks to match,” she said.
Throughout the holiday weekend, Jeckel said she offered doorbusters and 20% off the entire store.
Jeckel thinks people are gravitating toward the smaller shops because the big box stores are also competing with online retailers and are closing due to them.
“The big box stores aren’t around anymore,” she said. “You have a few small chain stores, and then us.”
An inside look at Huntington Village's Little Switzerland Toy Store. Photo by Lina Weingarten
COVID-19 has impacted business globally, but for local mom-and-pop shops across Long Island, they have been hit twice as hard.
Between the impact of online retailers, plus big box stores, the pandemic has made it even more difficult to make a sale for these smaller businesses.
When people shop small, the sales tax goes right back into the local economy. The community depends on these stores to make the village look great, while also supporting a neighbor.
That’s why on Thanksgiving weekend, Small Business Saturday immediately followed the biggest shopping day of the year, Black Friday, with hopes to bring revenue into the smaller stores.
All weekend long throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties, local shop owners gleamed with hope that customers would continue their holiday shopping “small” and keeping these businesses afloat.
Here’s what some small business owners had to say:
Madison’s Niche employees at the Stony Brook store. Photo by Julianne Mosher
Madison’s Niche
83 Main St., Stony Brook/14 Wall St., Huntington
Madison’s Niche, with four locations throughout Long Island, is a lifestyle boutique that sells everything from baby onesies to UGG boots to home décor.
At the Stony Brook Village Center store, director Carolynn Mertens said that they did “fantastic” this past holiday weekend.
“We’re up in sales,” she said. “We’re very grateful to be up, and we didn’t think it was going to happen, but we’re very lucky.”
From Friday to Sunday, Mertens said she saw dozens of people shopping with their holiday lists in hand, while a lot of people were even shopping for themselves.
“I think people want to support small businesses,” she said. “They don’t want to see any more empty stores in their community and are trying to keep our mom-and-pop stores alive.”
Compared to a big box store or the mall, Mertens believes that customers feel more comfortable shopping in her stores.
“Our stores are easy to shop in,” she said. “We can maintain social distancing and we are constantly disinfecting.”
Morolay Children’s Boutique is now open by appointment only. Photo by Lina Weingarten
Morolay Children’s Boutique
302 New York Ave., Huntington
This holiday season is looking a little different for Morolay Children’s Boutique on New York Avenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Under these unique circumstances, we’re fully by appointment,” said owner Leah Casabona.
But that works in the customers favor, because it provides an even more one-on-one shopping experience for people looking to come in.
“The customer service here is much better than big chain stores,” she said. “We personally deal with our customers and live in the community.”
For the past 21 years, Morolay has been a staple to the Huntington community, known for selling special occasion wear to local children.
“If you support small business, that sales tax goes back into our own local community,” she said. “And, the uniqueness of Huntington makes it a desirable place to live.”
Casabona said that shopping small is the way to go this and every other year.
“We need to be more conscious to help small businesses now more than ever,” she said.
Lily Bergh stands behind the counter at Little Switzerland Toys & Dolls. Photo by Lina Weingarten
Little Switzerland Toys & Dolls
267 Main St., Huntington
Lily Bergh, owner of Little Switzerland Toys & Dolls, said she has been in the business for more than 30 years.
This holiday season, she’s reminding people that shopping in-store is part of the magic that is Christmas.
“It was so nice seeing the kids with their big smiles this weekend,” she said. “They were making lists for Santa while walking around the store.”
Since opening in 1981, Bergh said that three generations now have been walking through her front door to buy presents during the holidays.
“The kids will come in with their grandmas and say with excitement, ‘Wow, a toy store!’”
And that reaction isn’t the same when a child walks through a toy aisle at a larger retailer.
“You’re just a number at a big box store,” she said. “And, I think it’s important to actually be able to pick up or touch a toy.”
Bergh said that the last nine months have been hard for her and the business, but Saturday and Sunday had a great turnout.
“It was awesome,” she said. “But we need more to make up for the four months we were closed. We want to stay in Huntington. It’s important.”
She said her toy store is a “wonderland” and strives to bring good memories to little ones visiting inside. She hopes that more people will continue to shop at her store, especially now.
“I don’t care who you shop from, but you need to shop local,” she said.
TandyWear in Commack recently expanded. Photo by Rita Egan
TandyWear
89 Commack Road, Commack
TandyWear has been in business for over 20 years and owner Tandy Jeckel said shopping at her store is a safe and fun experience, especially during these unprecedented times.
“We’re on a first-name basis with our customers,” she said. “You’ll get a personalized experience — we have an amazing team, amazing stylists, we’ll find your style.”
Jeckel said that this past Saturday was the best Small Business Saturday they have ever had.
“It was amazing,” she said. “We had so much foot traffic. It was great.”
Known for their dressy wear, comfy wear, going out wear and trendy wear, the store has something for everyone.
“We get new styles daily, and we sell masks to match,” she said.
Throughout the holiday weekend, Jeckel said she offered doorbusters and 20% off the entire store.
Jeckel thinks people are gravitating toward the smaller shops because the big box stores are also competing with online retailers and are closing due to them.
“The big box stores aren’t around anymore,” she said. “You have a few small chain stores, and then us.”
Delegation members, above, with The Ward Melville Heritage Organization President Gloria Rocchio, front center, in front of the historic Stony Brook Post Office. Photo from WMHO
Mobile payment platforms have connected the Stony Brook Village Center to China.
The Ward Melville Heritage Organization, which operates the shopping center, recently hosted a government delegation from Anhui Province, China. The group consisted of government officials and higher education professionals who were in the United States to visit New York and Michigan State University. Their mission was to learn best practices in innovation and entrepreneurship.
Delegation leader Guang Hu, left, completing an Alipay transaction with Jeff Norwood, owner of Camera Concepts & Telescope Solutions
Last year, the Stony Brook Village Center became the first community on Long Island to adopt Alipay and WeChat Pay, which is estimated to have one billion users worldwide. The QR code point of sale terminal systems account for 90 percent of the Chinese mobile payment market, according to the WMHO. The platforms enable Stony Brook village merchants to serve travelers from China better by allowing consumers to purchase goods and services in yuan before then being settled in U.S. currency for merchants.
Gloria Rocchio, president of the WMHO, met with the delegates in her office and then took them on a tour of the village where they were able to shop and experience the mobile payment platforms firsthand. She said it was a whirlwind trip, but the visitors had the chance to shop in many stores including Chocolate Works, Madison’s Niche and Camera Concepts & Telescope Solutions.
“We were happy to host this delegation because they were sincerely impressed with our concern for Chinese customers who are accustomed to using Alipay and WeChat Pay,” Rocchio said.
Jeff Norwood, owner of Camera Concepts & Telescope Solutions, said when the delegates came to his store, one of them wanted to buy a pair of binoculars, but he decided to pay cash instead of Alipay. When he approached the store’s register, Norwood said he realized his point of sales system was offline, and he couldn’t open the register drawer to give the customer change. Another person came over and paid using Alipay, and Norwood said it took two seconds to complete the transaction. It was then that the delegate decided to use Alipay, too.
“I gave him back the fifty, and I said, ‘Look at that, you see, Alipay is easier than cash,’” Norwood said. “It was like the perfect commercial for it.”
The business owner said he’s only had the opportunity to use Alipay once before and said it’s easier to use than the store’s credit card machine. All he has to do is put in the amount, and then the customer has an app on the phone that comes up with a bar code. The sales associate scans the bar code and the store’s machine prints out a receipt.
Twelve government agencies, including the School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, along with the Science, Technology and Intellectual Property Bureau, were represented.
Guang Hu, delegation leader and director of the Division of International Exchange and Cooperation, Anhui Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs, thanked the WMHO for hosting the visit in a statement.
“It is very impressive to know that Alipay and WeChat Pay has been implemented by the shops of the village,” Hu said. “Those two are widely used in China, and it shows the technology and innovation offered here. I believe there is great potential to work with [the] Ward Melville Heritage Organization on all levels of collaboration between Anhui and Stony Brook.”
Cervo Design owner Andrea Cervo cuts the red ribbon at the April 19 grand opening ceremony. Photo by Rita J. Egan
Local legislators and residents join Amanda Haggquist, owner of Village Florist and Events, during the store's ribbon cutting April 19. Photo by Rita J. Egan
Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine congratulates Sweet Mama's Family Restaurant owner Marios Patatinis on the grand opening of the restaurant. Photo by Rita J. Egan
Karen McAvoy, owner of Madison's Niche, celebrates the grand opening of her home and clothing store with local legislators and residents. Photo by Rita J. Egan
Jeff Norwood, owner of Camera Concepts & Telescope Solutions, cuts the red ribbon during the grand opening of his business. Photo by Rita J. Egan
By Rita J. Egan
On April 19, residents joined Stony Brook Village Center President Gloria Rocchio, Chairman Dr. Richard Rugen, Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine (R), Councilwoman Valerie Cartright (D-Port Jefferson Station) and Three Village Chamber of Commerce President Andrew Polan in welcoming five new businesses to the center.
The grand opening and ribbon cutting stroll included gift and clothing store Madison’s Niche, Camera Concepts & Telescope Solutions, interior design business Cervo Design, Village Florist and Events and Sweet Mama’s Family Restaurant. Before and after the ribbon cuttings, attendees had the opportunity to stroll through each establishment, and enjoyed refreshments at Cervo Design and Sweet Mama’s.
