Mondays on Main: Shopping village in Wading River caters to small businesses on Long Island

The shopping village on the North Fork has restaurants, pizzerias, clothing stores, ice cream shops and even a spa. The area also is primed to host weddings.

News 12 Staff

Jul 12, 2021, 11:14 AM

Updated 1,189 days ago

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We are showing off how so many Main Streets on Long Island are back in the swing of things with our "Mondays on Main" series. But this week, we're at a different sort of Main Street.
News 12's Caroline Flynn is at The Shoppes at East Wind in Wading River.
The Shoppes at East Wind on Long Island offers shoppers 28 options to support small businesses.
Those headed to a winery or Splish Splash this summer may want to stop by Shoppes at East Wind for a main street vibe.
Director of Marketing for Shoppes at East Wind Charlotte Cote tells News 12 it’s truly unique.
"The Shoppes at East Wind are a different kind of Main Street. We are a little shopping village—there's nothing like it on Long Island,” says Cote. “We've got 28 stores, they are all small businesses, and they are all attached to the Inn at East Wind—that has a spa— and we are like a destination on the North Fork!"
The mini shopping village also serves as a great spot to walk around in.
Due to the stores being enclosed, staying opening during the pandemic was a challenge.
Business owners were forced to think outside the box to stay afloat.
At North Fork Craft Gallery, employees used FaceTime to help customers see their locally made gifts. Places like Brezza Pizzeria also gave back to those putting their health at risk to keep us safe with special deals for health care workers.
News 12 is told a blueberry festival will take place this month, along with a movie on July 23. A peach festival will occur in August.
At Wines By Nature, the shop puts an emphasis on small businesses. Its owner says they focus on small production wines from around the world, including those on the Island. They also have wines that focus on supporting causes on Long Island
At Sweet Melissa's Candy Shoppe, they are the area's newest business, opening during the pandemic. They are offering a wide variety of sweets -- including chocolate and fudge -- in a safe environment that includes bagged candy options.
The Carousel Bake Shop prides itself on its wide variety of specialty choices, like vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free treats. Manager Vicki Gergely says they operate under a welcoming atmosphere and are set to welcome people of all ages for all types of baking and cooking classes in the fall.
Christie Lights Soy Candle Shop is another business that spawned during the pandemic. Owner Christie Torres took a leap of faith from the entertainment industry as it shut down and took her online business to a brick-and-mortar store that her husband built. She says the family-operated store is doing well.