newtown lane

Brady’s Card Vault Scores a Touchdown… Just in Time for Another Prix Fixe Blitz

CELEB NEWS, Tom Brady is heading to East Hampton—but not to toss a football or rekindle anything with Gisele. The NFL legend is opening another Card Vault, this time taking over the former Tod’s/Tory Burch spot in the heart of the village. With locations already in Massachusetts and Connecticut and East Rutherford NJ, this high-end trading card shop is apparently where touchdowns meet Topps. I recently brought it up while watching Patti LuPone’s one-woman show at Symphony Space (as one does), and the reactions were… mixed. A few friends asked if he was selling credit cards, one wondered aloud if Gisele would be doing the decorating, and the rest had never heard of him. I didn’t have the heart to explain. But cheers to my friend Eileen O’Neill of Corcoran for brokering the deal—and for those who actually do follow Brady, rumor has it he’ll be in town Memorial Day weekend for the grand opening. Get your selfie sticks and rookie cards ready.

Didn’t we just do this? Yes, Long Island Restaurant Week is back again—because apparently, our waistlines didn’t suffer enough in January. Running from April 27th to May 4th, the spring edition offers prix fixe menus that’ll tempt you into carbs and cocktails all over again. Some Hamptons heavy-hitters joining the gluttony this round include Barons Cove, Nick & Toni’s, Page, Rumba, The Palm, Il Buco, Flora and Fauna (yes, both), LDV at Maidstone Inn, Ocean Club Montauk, Cowfish, Cove Hollow Tavern, Kalissa, and Bridgehampton Inn. Whether you’re pretending to be “just here for the salad” or diving fork-first into dessert, there’s something for everyone—except maybe your skinny jeans. Full list and menus at www.longislandrestaurantweek.com. Bon appétit, again.

Finally, all aboard the retail express—next stop: confusion! A few months back, a not-so-subtle (yet somehow still invisible) “available retail space” sign popped up at the East Hampton LIRR station, offering a 613-square-foot “opportunity” that includes 125 square feet of exclusive retail space and 488 square feet shared with the M.T.A.—yes, including a bathroom. According to the M.T.A., anything from a newsstand to a full-service restaurant is possible… just hold the tobacco, adult content, and apparently, joy. Tenants are also required to keep the waiting room and restroom open daily from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. all summer—because who doesn’t dream of being a bathroom attendant in paradise? Bids were supposedly due in February, but the sign’s still up and it’s still on LoopNet. As for CBRE? I searched harder than an LIRR conductor checking tickets and found nada. Similar spaces are also available in Southampton and Amagansett if you’re looking to train for retail glory.

Yeah, I know the shirtless pic of Brady is gratuitous. But I know my audience.

WISHES FOR 2023… PLUS RICE, RICE, BABY.

After about a year of misteps and false reports of who was opening in the spot next Hampton Chutney on Newtown Lane, Zakura’s has finally opened the doors on their new “to go” location. I heard rumors it was going to be everyone from Nobu to Fee Waybill’s “Sushi Sushi” opening in the location but alas it’s an output of the long established Zakura’s of Amagansett. At least it’s not another italian restaurant. “Zakura to Go” is opened from 11:30 am 8:15 pm daily. Click here for more details. I’m not sure how you would compare to Sushi at CItarella but they at least stay open later.

SOY CUTE… THE NEW EAST HAMPTON OUTPOST FOR ZAKURA

We are now into the long stretch of Winter. While I should have moved on already, I’m still pissed I didn’t get anything this past Christmas from my “Hamptons Wish List.” But thank goodness my 30th birthday is right around the corner. So what do I want?

Cell Service – I dont’ care if it’s ATT or Verizon or Cricket. I’m just tired of screaming into my Iphone “can you hear me!?”

Shoe Repair/Cleaning – I keep hearing there is a place in Riverhead that handles shoe repair but why can’t we have one a little closer? If there’s one I’m missing, let me knowl

Bike Lanes – I wouldn’t dare ride my bike out here in the Summer. Range Rovers with inexperienced drivers who are texting on their phones with screaming kids in the backround don’t mix well with cyclists with a mere helmet for protection. What I want is someone to pave under the high tension wires from Souithampton to Montauk. I’m pretty sure the land is already cleared and would be a great addition for fitness enthusiasts.

Parking in the Villages – perhaps if we had bike lanes there would be more available parking in the Summer. RIght now, it’s like a roller derby out there in the summer. Something needs to be done.

A New Multiplex – granted I haven’t been to the movies since before Covid. But why I haven’t been back is the fact that we have 6 movies screens for all of the Hamptons. The Regal Cinemas in East Hampton while not awful is not exactly good. We could use some new stadium seating and chairs that weren’t designed by the Marquis de Sade.

FINALLY…. A REMINDER DISCOUNT BEACH PASSES FOR EAST HAMPTON VILLAGE ARE AVAILABLE TOMORROW. SEE MY PREVIOUS BLOG.

Sag Harbor Love Shack to Become Coffee Klatch at Latham House…and ATTENTI Shoe Lovers!

I caught wind of some good gossip out of Sag Harbor: UNCONFIRMED RUMOR HAS IT… The famed 1790-built Peleg Latham House, listed by Brown Harris Stevens for $5,999,000 and current home of pink and wispy women’s clothing store LoveShackFancy, just sold to Jack Mazzola, owner of Jack’s Stir Brew Coffee. I wonder if the B-52s get a cut? After all, Fred Schneider is no stranger to these parts.

Unfortunately for Mazzola, I’m also hearing LoveShackFancy—”She’s a dreamer, a lover, elegantly ethereal, and romantic at heart…”—might not want to give up their lease. And why would they? Located at 117 Main Street, Latham House is one of Sag Harbor’s most historic and iconic buildings.

From Brown Harris Stevenhttps://www.bhsusa.com/hamptons/village-of-sag-harbor/117-main-street/house/861623

The three-level, 3,162-square-foot federal-style home offers more than 1,150 square feet of prime retail space and a Main Street-accessible residence with exposed wood beams, seven custom brick fireplaces and beautifully aged hardwood floors. And while it’s old, Latham House isn’t short of luxury and pomp, including a spacious living room, formal dining room, gourmet kitchen, full bath, laundry and butler’s pantry on the first floor. Jack will have to supply his own butler, but it’s nice to know Jeeves would be well supplied. This place exemplifies old-world charm, with history oozing from every exposed brick and venerable wood beam.

Outside, the backyard features a spacious brick patio, gunite pool, private garden and manicured landscaping.

The BHS listing started at $7,999,000 in January 2020, dropped to $6,995,000 last July and finally landed at an irresistible $5,999,000 in February.

Italian Fashion Comes to EH, Twice

Speaking of new business, two of Italy’s most recognizable fashion brands, Gucci and Tod’s, now have spots in East Hampton Village. 

Shoe biz and more in East Hampton!

Passersby in EH will have seen the pink flowers and Gucci logos filling the windows at 17 Newtown Lane, which used to house Club Monaco. Renovations are underway behind those covered windows, and soon the flower motif will give way to displays by one of the fashion world’s most seminal designers. Watch gucci.com for updates, including the opening date.

Meanwhile, just down the block at 47 Newtown Lane, Tod’s is open for business selling shoes, belts and other fine Italian leather goods in the former home of Tory Burch.

Everyone is waiting for what’s going to be a gangbuster summer, and with Europe still off limits it’s sort of a foregone conclusion. Hamptons shopping is back, baby.