Shopkeepers Ready for Summer Influx; Predict Hot Sellers

For the past month, Westhampton Beach Main Street shop owners have been busy stocking their stores for the season, making sure that they will have the hottest items on their shelves. All say they are ready and expecting a great summer season — and Memorial Day weekend, which is expected to bring sunny skies.

Clothing

Elyse Richmond, owner of , and , who has been a Main Street mainstay for the past 27 years, said if she isn't ready by now she will never be.

Open seven days a week, year-round, Richmond says she has a number of items on her shelves that she believes will sell well this season, including the Lilly Pulitzer line for women and children; Not Your Daughter's Jeans; and tunics. 

Down the street,  owner Jim Flood says his , which is entering it's 32nd season, is fully stocked with what he thinks is going to be his hottest seller this year — multi-color, burn-out hoodies. 

"They are meant for younger people, but for some reason people in their 40s and 50s are buying them," said Flood, nothing that the rainbow-colored hoodie sold well last weekend. 

Cards & Gifts

East of Flood's Shop, , owner of , which is opening for it's 24th season says she's heard rummors that a new children's toy, called the Jelly Cat is expected to fly off the shelves. Of course, she said, she ordered them and they are on their way from England. 

Also this year, Jones says she peoples Squishables, a round stuff animal will be a pick among children. 

"You neer know what is going to sell," said Jones. 

Books

Jack McKewn, owner of , however, said he has a good idea of which books will be going out the door this season.  

"Need I even mention 50 Shades of Gray?" said McKeown, who says the book is already accounting for ten percent of his fiction sales.

Also this season, McKeown said he expects that "Garden of Beasts," by Erik Larson; "Bring Up the Bodies" by Hilary Mantel; "Canada" by Richard Ford; and "Mission to Paris" by Alen Furst will be among the hits. 

That's not to mention, said McKeown, two new art books, which always are hot sellers, that have arrived at the shop. The first is called, "," which retails for $250 and the second a limited edition Beatles photo journey, selling for $750.

The book shop has also already set up an author series and is working with the Quogue Wildlife Center and Westhampton Free Library for larger venue space. One author, expected to bring in a large crowd in June is Real Housewives of New Jersey Teresa Giudice. 

New Business

Then, there are the new comers to Main Street, including , who is opening his new business on Saturday.

Jackey said he is ready though he had hoped to open a few weeks early to work out some kinks.  Even so, he said he anticipates a great opening weekend. 

"We are looking forward to it," said Jakey, who believes that a candle line that he and his wife selected are going to sell very well. 

"We have over 1,000 products and we are happy with our selections. We hope that our customers will agree," he said. 

And Alex Dank, owner of the new said he too is looking forward to his first Memorial Day weekend in his new shop.  

"We are ready," said Dank, who owns another toy shop on Main Street in Patchogue.  But he jokingly added, "Now I know what it's like to be pregnant."

Dank said his shop is fully stocked with summer beach and pool toys as well as crafts, which he said always sell well. 

But for his first season, he think a children's beach chair with adorns the words, "Westhampton Beach" will be a must-have item for customers. 

New location

who opened a second location for her at 96 Main Street in April says she has an amazing collection of Chanel hand-bags that she says will be a hit.

"It is probably the best collection since I first opened the store," said Stoller, who said both her shops will be open seven days a week.

Stoller also noted that aside from bags and garments, she is also carrying sculptures in her Main Street location. On display memorial day weekend are works by artist Jude Amsel, who created the award-winning dedication for the firefighters of 9-11. 

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