Calling all Santa’s and Hanukkah Harry’s or those who just want to help make a difference this holiday season! For over fifteen years, Stacy from Stacy’s Finds/Pattern Finders in Port Jefferson has helped bring magic to underprivileged children in the area, supplying the children with toys and clothing needs. This year Stacy has teamed up with Melissa who runs Give Kids Hope in Port Jefferson. The agency is part of a group of everyday people that answer the clothing needs and toy requests of 1,500 of Long Island’s less fortunate children.
Melissa at Give Kids Hope has the children’s requested clothing sizes, requirements, and toy requests. You can purchase one item, or fulfill the needs of a child’s entire clothing and toy wish list. Or, adopt a whole family! You may drop off any children’s new clothing and new toys or gift cards for donations at the shop Stacy’s Finds/Pattern Finders at 128 East Main Street Port Jefferson, Thursday through Sundays. For more information, call Melissa at Give Kids Hope 631-538 5287 or Stacy at 631-928-5158.
Stacy Davidson, right, is donating prom dresses this year.
Stacy Davidson of Pattern Finders/Stacy’s Finds in Port Jefferson knows how unexpected expenses can be difficult especially during these unpredictable times. To help local families, she wishes to donate gowns and tuxedos to enable a wonderful experience for local seniors who might have to skip the event due to monetary issues.
“My amazing customers always answer the call for a prom drive. Rather than limit the young ladies to the donated gowns, I will make my entire vast inventory of spectacular gowns and formal dressesavailable for the girls to come to the shop and choose from. Fedora Lounge Boutique Hair Salon in Port Jefferson is one of the local salons donating hair styling for some of the girls and Give Kids Hope in the village will also supply the students in need,” said Davidson.
Located at 128 East Main Street, Port Jefferson, Pattern Finders is open Wednesday through Sunday. For more information or to make an appointment, please call 631-928-5158.
Local stores are encouraging shoppers to buy local this holiday season. Photo by Julianne Mosher
COVID-19 has impacted business globally, but for local mom-and-pop shops in villages 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.
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 in Port Jefferson village, 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:
Stacy Davidson, owner of Pattern Finders/Stacy’s Finds on East Main Street. Photo by Julianne Mosher
Pattern Finders/Stacy’s Finds
128 E. Main St., Port Jefferson
Stacy Davidson, owner of Pattern Finders/Stacy’s Finds on East Main Street, said she was pleasantly surprised on Thanksgiving weekend with the amount of people shopping around.
Unique gifts can be found at the shop, including antiques, furs, evening wear and accessories.
Davidson said while the store is most known for her vintage jewelry, they also have a large selection of new pieces as well. She said that shopping at her store gives the customer a one-of-a-kind experience.
“All of the items in a store like mine you won’t find anywhere else ¬— especially online,” she said.
At her store, Davidson said that all of her items are packaged nicely, “so all you have to do is hand them over with a smile — no gift wrap needed.”
Davidson added that when people shop small, they’re supporting the community.
“I’m very encouraged from the local community who came out to support us,” she said.
Joann Maguire, owner of Max & Millie. Photo by Julianne Mosher
Max & Millie
142 E. Main St., Port Jefferson
Joann Maguire, owner of Max & Millie, a woman’s clothing boutique nestled alongside East Main Street, said that her store gives customers a personalized shopping experience that cannot compete with a big box retailer.
“You should always shop small, not just during the holidays,” she said.
The store is known for casual, chic and trendy clothes ranging in sizes 2 to 16, accessories and unique jewelry, including a small rack of pieces from former neighbor, Susan Rodgers Designs.
Throughout the holiday weekend, Max & Millie sponsored several discounts from Friday to Sunday, completing the deal with their famous gift wrap.
“We support our community,” she said. “We’ve always been there for you in terms of fundraisers, now it’s time for you to support us.”
Alana Miletti, owner of Fame & Rebel. Photo by Julianne Mosher
Fame and Rebel
415 E. Main St., Port Jefferson
Alana Miletti owns two locations of her store Fame and Rebel — one on Main Street in Patchogue, and the other on East Main in Port Jefferson village — so this past weekend was double the work as shoppers flocked in.
“Small businesses give back to the community more than a big box store does,” she said. “We employ so many community members and offer one-on-one personalization for each and every shopper.”
Throughout the holiday weekend, she offered a “shop more, save more” sale, which got dozens of people into her doors.
Known for her on-trend clothing for women, the boutiques are constantly bringing in new arrivals that will fit any style every day.
“When you support a local business, you’re also supporting your town, city and neighborhood,” she said. “Small businesses pay sales taxes to the city and county the businesses are located in, and that tax money is used to support public schools, parks, roads and sidewalks, as well as fund public service workers. Imagine your town without any small businesses — pretty scary.”
Marianna Cucchi, owner of The Soap Box. Photo by Julianne Mosher
The Soap Box
18 Chandler Square, Port Jefferson
Marianna Cucchi’s store, The Soap Box, has been in the village for 13 years.
The shop, located in Chandler Square, houses hundreds of different gifts fit for everyone’s list. From homemade designer soaps, to bath and body products, to personal care, pajamas and other unique gifts, Cucchi said the last nine months have been hard and it’s going to take a while to recover.
“Shopping small is important because it supports our community and keeps our businesses open — especially after being closed over 70 days during the pandemic,” she said.
Throughout the big shopping weekend, The Soap Box offered sales to shoppers stopping by. While browsing, they’d stop to admire the collection of rubber ducks in hats sitting politely by the front window. Cucchi also offers custom gift wrapping for all orders, a complete one-stop shop.
“We need to keep small town America,” she said. “This is your community and we want to see it thrive.”
Kandy Muñoz, owner of The Amazing Olive. Photo by Julianne Mosher
The Amazing Olive
213 Main St., Port Jefferson
For the foodie on your shopping list, Kandy Muñoz said she can provide them with a unique and tasty gift this year. The Amazing Olive has two locations,a newer location in Patchogue run by Muñoz’s son Steven, and her original Port Jefferson spot that she’s owned since 2012.
Known for their vast collection of olive oils, balsamic vinegars, wine vinegars, salts and rubs, the store can accommodate any taste.
But for this holiday season, Kandy Muñoz said personalized bottle labels and gift baskets are extremely popular this year.
“When you shop small, you’re supporting a neighborhood family,” she said.
Calling all Santa’s and Hanukah Harry’s or those who just want to help make a difference this holiday season! For over fifteen years, Stacy from Stacy’s Finds/Pattern Finders in Port Jefferson has been part of a group of everyday people that answer the direct clothing needs and toy requests of 9,000 of Long Island’s less fortunate children living in homeless shelters, temporary foster care, Child Protective Services and domestic violence safe houses every year — and the numbers are still growing. This year especially, the expectation is of more children in need and fewer people being able to help. Last year her group answered the needs of fifty of the children.
Stacy will have actual letters from the children with their clothing sizes, requirements, and toy requests. You can purchase one item, or fulfill the needs of a child’s entire clothing and toy wish list. You may also drop off any children’s new clothing and new toys or gift cards for donations at the shop at 128 East Main Street Port Jefferson. Feel free to call Stacy at the shop with any questions at 631-928-5158.
Calling all Santas and Hanukkah Harrys or those who just want to help make a difference this holiday season!
For the past 15 years, Stacy from Stacy’s Finds/Pattern Finders in Port Jefferson has been part of a group of everyday people that answer the direct clothing needs and toy requests of 9,000 of Long Island’s less fortunate children living in homeless shelters, temporary foster care, Child Protective Services and domestic violence safe houses every year — and the numbers are still growing. Last year her group answered the needs of 50 of the children.
Stacy will have actual letters from the children with their clothing sizes, requirements and toy requests. You can purchase one item or fulfill the needs of a child’s entire clothing and toy wish list.
You may also drop off any children’s new clothing and new toys or gift cards for donations at the shop at 128 East Main St. in Port Jefferson. For more information, call 631-928-5158.
Pattern Finders/Stacy’s Finds is celebrating its 25th anniversary at 128 East Main St., Port Jefferson this May. Owner Stacy Davidson credits her longevity by keeping her inventory unique for her loyal customers and for her personal service. Faced with closing several years ago due to the change in demand for her original inventory, she reinvented her shop to contain treasures, old and new, evening wear, vintage furs, jewelry, antiques and gifts.
Davidson’s treasure trove includes museum-quality estate jewelry from the 1800s to today’s interesting finds. In celebration of 25 years of patronage, she is offering 25 percent off any one item in the store this month.
One of Davidson’s high points was being credited as business person of the year by this newspaper in the past. Her ongoing charity work for local needy children makes her very proud.
Store hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 4. Closed Mondays. For more information, call 631-928-5158 or visit www.stacysfinds.com.
Calling all Santas and Hanukkah Harrys or those who just want to help make a difference this holiday season! For the past 13 years, Stacy from Pattern Finders in Port Jefferson has been part of a group of everyday people that answer the direct clothing needs and toy requests of 10,000 of Long Island’s less fortunate children living in homeless shelters, temporary foster care, Child Protective Services, sober houses, teen mother homes and domestic violence safe houses every year.
This year, the group’s goal is to sponsor 50 children. You may drop off any children’s new clothing and new toys or gift cards for donations at the shop at 128 East Main St., Port Jefferson. Or, adopt a child and purchase his or her specific clothing and toy requests. Stacy will have actual letters from the children with their clothing sizes, requirements and toy requests. Anyone who makes a donation will be entered for a free raffle prize. Feel free to call Stacy at the shop with any questions at 631-928-5158.
