You can’t shop ‘til you drop until you have a coffee, tea or pastry in hand at these boutiques and vintage stores on Long Island. A growing trend in the small business retail sector is having a small cafe in the building so customers have another reason to pop in, browse and shop. “Now more than ever businesses are looking to create hybrid retail experiences for people who would otherwise shop online,” says Cassie Justice, co-owner of Sea City Vintage in Atlantic Beach.
“You definitely need more than a rack of clothes these days.” Justice opened Sea City Vintage with her husband, Tom, in the fall of 2022. At first, it was only a vintage store, but after months of renovations, they opened the adjoining cafe last summer.
Now, they get tons of regulars for coffee, especially in the warmer months. “It’s become a destination,” Justice says. “A lot of customers come from Rockaway or Long Beach and they make a morning or early afternoon out of it.
” Get ready for the weekend with our picks on where to shop, dine and have fun on Long Island. By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy . The concept draws in more customers for in-person shopping by creating a leisurely atmosphere.
“I love it because that way, you can sit down, drink some coffee, and think over whether you want to buy something or not,” says Patricia Dowds 76, of East Moriches, a frequent customer at Lumber + Salt in Jamesport. “And they have great coffee, which is very important. It.