Moving in for Summer? Shop Hamptons & North Fork's Best

The East End is already springing to life for Memorial Day weekend. Everyone is moving into new rentals or multi-generational summer getaways, so now is the time to get your house in order. Look to the Platinum winners from our Dan’s Best of the Best Shopping category, in the Hamptons and North Fork, for some of the East End’s favorite places to get what you need for a beautiful, functional and happy summer home.

On the North Fork, In the Attic Too in Laurel (1095 Franklinville Road,631-605-9439) was voted the region’s top antique store, so it’s a great place to find functional furniture and one-of-a-kind accents. They provide quality antiques, vintage furniture and unique home decor, along with handcrafted furniture, at affordable prices that are usually unheard of in the area. All their inventory is cleaned, repaired when necessary and often refreshed with beautiful colors. This stuff turns around quickly, so buy what you like when you see it. And if you miss something, come back. There are always new treasures to be had on a subsequent visit.

While the South Fork’s Platinum winner, Hildreth’s, isn’t just an antique store, this inveterate home goods shop in Southampton (51 Main Street, 631-283-2300) has some beautiful vintage pieces and masterful reclaimed creations for in- and outdoors. Established in 1842 and family-owned for 13 generations, Hildreth’s is the Hamptons’ largest in home furnishings and accessories—and they deliver.

Apparently the North Fork likes antiques so much, that they voted a different antiques shop, Antiques & Old Lace in Cutchogue (31935 Main Road, 631-734-6462), as their go-to for the regular home furnishings category. The 4,000-square-foot shop is filled with all kinds of used furniture, vintage items and collectibles. Farther south, the Hamptons chose House to Home in Westhampton Beach (83G Main Street, 631-801-6100), a shop with all manner of item for the home—and even some in-house interior design experts to help choose them—as their Platinum store.

Should you need tools or other items to maintain your home and property, Ace Hardware in Southold (54795 Route 25, 631-779-2676) is the North Fork’s favorite place to go, while Hamptonites head to Herricks in Southampton (41 Main Street, 631-283-0026).

And, if you’re looking for something specifically for your lovely landscape, North Forkers like Trimbles in Cutchogue (20985 Main Road, 631-734-6494) for their nursery and garden center needs. On the South Fork, voters chose Hampton Nursery in Hampton Bays (205 West Montauk Highway,631-728-1160).

Find more of Dan’s Papers’ Best of the Best places to shop at DansBOTB.com.