real estate.
A SUPER SUPERMARKET! PLUS, WHERE’S THE “CAN” FROM OUT “CANDIDATES?” YEAH, I KNOW THIS HEADLINE IS TERRIBLE!
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| No longer just coming soon.. now arrived! |
Sometimes my inspiration for this blog comes from the strangest of places. This particular posting is coming from a very unlikely muse, Marilyn Hegerty who is the restaurant reviewer at the Grand Forks Herald in North Dakota. At 85 years old she became an internet sensation with her earnest and insightful review of The Olive Garden which burst onto the Grand Forks culinary scene late last year. So, if Marilyn can review The Olive Garden why can’t I review the latest entry into the East Hampton scene?You got it, I’m talking about the new Stop and Shop Supermarket on Newtown Lane.*
(*could also be substituted with the Stop and Shop nee Walbaum’s in Southampton)
After a lengthy wait for Stop and Shop to open in East Hampton*, the moment has finally arrived. My visit occurred the other day on a busy Tuesday afternoon. After a long day at the office, I figured a late shopping excursion would be both fashionable and just what the doctor ordered. Apparently my doctor thinks shopping is good for me.
The parking lot was bustling with eager patrons as I arrived and while there were limited spaces. Luckily, the flow in and out of the store was so constant that it was only a few mere moments before I was able to find an ample space of my very own. I could feel the excitement as I approached the SELF OPENING front doors that where both swift and convenient for a distracted shopper.
I was greeted as I entered into the market by smiling and friendly employees who were smartly dressed in purple and dark blue uniforms surrounded by lush, opulent and tempting looking produce. The lighting was bright and cheery and the aisles were clean and spotless, a definite improvement over the old Walbaum’s. I asked one of the managers if they had any gluten free pasta to which he cheerfully responded, “of course in our new organics section!” They have an or
ganics section! I then knew I made the right choice to give this Stop and Shop a chance!
ganics section! I then knew I made the right choice to give this Stop and Shop a chance!
Finally with my pasta in hand I made my way to the check out aisles. It was a pleasant surprise for me to now find many aisles opened with real human cashiers, also smartly dressed in purple with blue aprons. The line was fast moving and the staff also told me about the savings I could receive if I filled out a form for a “preferred customer card.” How lovely… I’m preferred and they just met me!
All in all, it’s the largest and best lit super market now operating in East Hampton. It attracts vistors from out of town as well as people who live in East Hampton. It’s a welcome addition to the community and will hopefully get better as they learn the preferences of the community. So I have to heartily recommend Stop and Shop for your grocery shopping in our humble little hamlet.
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| Generic election sign .. so I don’t make and MORE enemies! |
Speaking of our little hamlet, the election is finally over! Now, I know it’s never a good idea to discuss politics I think it’s fair to express my general outrage over the littering…. and I do mean littering of signs everywhere. People always complain about real estate signs but these paper ones are wayyyyy worse. Besides we can put the same sign every two feet! If it were up to me, I would actually fine the candidates $10.00 for every sign they leave out after today. Its bad enough my mailbox was full… and I mean full… like
more stuffed than if Frontgate, Orvis and Restoration Hardware both did a double mailing for Christmas. Oh the trees that had to die for such negative and prolific propaganda! I’m glad it’s over and I now have room for my catalogs!
BOO!! HOW IS THIS FOR SCARY?! SCAM ALERT!
We know it’s a jungle out there… I’m not even going to mention some of the the real estate agents I know… but here is new one for the horrors of housing that even took me by surprise. Yes, even scarier than the Munster’s house on 114! According to the Long Island Board of Realtors there is a rash of cyber-fraud being committed against unsuspecting parties in real estate transactions.
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| Apparently disguises are used when committing cyber crime! |
The “fraudster” hacks into the email of real estate, agents, buyers, seller and even attorneys to obtain all the information about the sale of the house. Then scam artist sends a very official looking e mail containing information pertinent to the sale of the house and then requests that a large sum of money be transferred into a designated accounting claiming it’s needed for the real estate action to proceed.
Apparently the e mail looks so legit.. that people are sending large sums of money only to find out they’ve been had. Now, in addition to hacking e mails, I imagine this can also be done by simply looking up for homes “in contract” on various real estate websites. With data flowing so free and easy on the web, it would only take just a few minutes to possibly find out a homeowners e mail address. If you’re reading this and doing a deal guys, not a bad idea you tip your owners and buyers off about being on guard.
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| Party animal and unhappy contest hopeful Bella! |
If your or anyone you know has been approached or affected by this scam you can report this to Efrem Zimbalist Jr. and the gang at the FBI by visiting the website:
Finally, if you’re looking for something to do this Saturday you might want to stop by Bay Street click here for the Bay Street Theater web site.
Theater this Saturday for the Annual Costume ball! Tickets are 25$ with doors opening at 8:00 pm. There will also be a costume contest with prizes ranging from $500 on down. This is the best party of the fall season with party animals from all over the east end joining something called the Hoo Doo Loungers and WBAZ Radio’s Walker Vreeland (Dan’s best of the best winner) for the festivities. If you want more information or to purchase tickets,
Theater this Saturday for the Annual Costume ball! Tickets are 25$ with doors opening at 8:00 pm. There will also be a costume contest with prizes ranging from $500 on down. This is the best party of the fall season with party animals from all over the east end joining something called the Hoo Doo Loungers and WBAZ Radio’s Walker Vreeland (Dan’s best of the best winner) for the festivities. If you want more information or to purchase tickets,
Happy Halloween everyone and it’s good to be back and chattering!
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SUMMER RENTERS… PLUS HOW TO PLAN FOR YOUR NEXT HAMPTONS BEACH PARTY!
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| Summer ’15… few takers? |
As we come to the end of the summer of ’15, there seems to be a reoccurring topic of conversation among home owners, agents and pretty much everyone. “Was it a good rental season?” Well the answer in a nutshell is “no.” In fact, I have had a number of homeowners ask me, why their home didn’t
rent. If you’re one of the many who’ve uttered those words you’re not alone. I’m not sure if it was because of all of those short term rental sites or more folks are buying and building. I’ve heard both theories. What I do know… in the opinion of this humble agent was it was not as active as years past. But it wasn’t just me. In fact, I meet monthly with a group of about 25 top agents from a cross section of all the real estate companies and regions. At our last get together someone raised the question, “who thought this was a good rental season?” Unfortunately not one person raised their hand. What I think this means is next year, look for an adjustment in some prices and landlords being a bit more accommodating in cutting a deal. If you found otherwise, feel free to let me know.
One of my favorite things to do this time of year is to hit the beach in the early evening with some friends and enjoy the sand, the fresh air and the surf… and I don’t mean on your smartphone. You only have a few weeks left of Summer ’15 so here’s one way to make it special. But before you lug your blankets, food and friends Wiborg or Fowler, make sure your know the rules. Hello?! Like you didn’t think there were rules…. it’s the Hamptons, there are rules for everything.
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| There better be a container under there!? |
In case you haven’t been paying attention, new laws went into effect that require beach fires in East Hampton town be lit in a metal container, similar laws were already in effect for Southampton and East Hampton village. In Southampton Village, you need a permit to light a bonfire. For the most part no permits are necessary on the other beaches but as I said, you need to clean up… keep it contained… and have some buckets of water handy. You’re of course responsible for putting out the fire and cleaning up afterwards. Also, don’t try to light that fire before 6pm, it’s a no-no.
As for a little Rose for that perfect summer beach dinner party, you’ll need a permit if you’re inviting over 50 people. Also, open containers of alcohol are prohibited across the board but you can get a special permit for catered events and parties. Pets are also allowed after 6pm at most beaches. If you want more information for each local town… check out the links below and have fun. But remember, not too much fun it’s the Hamptons.
EAST HAMPTON TOWN
EAST HAMPTON VILLAGE
SOUTHAMPTON TOWN
SOUTHAMPTON VILLAGE