On a summer evening in Bridgehampton, locals and longtime visitors will gather not just for ice cream—but for history, legacy, and a touch of nostalgia. On Friday, August 1, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., the Bridgehampton Museum will host its annual Community Stars celebration, this year honoring a cornerstone of Main Street: the Candy Kitchen and the Laggis family, who have kept the beloved eatery scooping, sizzling for nearly half a century.
Tickets and details are available at bridgehamptonmuseum.org/stars. General admission is $125.
For 100 years, the Candy Kitchen has been more than just a diner and soda fountain—it’s been a community anchor, and don’t even think about pulling out a credit card.
If you’re new here, you know Candy Kitchen from the scene in Succession when Kendall Roy namedrops the iconic diner in one of the most emotional moments in the Emmy award-winning show.
Though the business has changed hands a few times over the decades, its most enduring chapter began in 1981 when Gus Laggis, an immigrant with a dream, took over from his friend and fellow proprietor George Stavropoulos. Gus, now joined by his daughters Jamie and Maria, has kept the Candy Kitchen as deliciously unchanged as possible.
“It’s like stepping into a postcard,” says Dave Rattiner, lifelong local, ice cream lover, and Hamptons dad. “I remember eating here as a kid, and it’s really special to be able to take my kids here now. It’s as Hamptons as it gets. It was also my first job – thanks for believing in me, Gus!”
This year’s event, hosted at the historic Nathaniel Rogers House, celebrates the Laggis family’s stewardship as well as Bridgehampton’s layered identity: a place where time-honored traditions are preserved and where the past is never far from the present.
For those seeking an enhanced experience, a $1,000 VIP ticket includes early access to a Channing Daughters-sponsored kickoff party at 5 p.m., plus a gift bag filled with tokens of local charm:
-Bridgehampton Museum hat and tote
-Strawberry milkshake stress ball
-Copy of The Log of the Whaler Helena by Claus Hoie
-Ice cream coupons for the Candy Kitchen
-$50 gift shop coupon
The evening also includes a nod to Nathaniel Rogers himself—the 19th-century miniaturist whose former residence now houses the museum. A special exhibition titled In Miniature will showcase tiny artworks (each 8’ in diameter) by local artists. With a twist: none of the pieces will be labeled. Only after purchase will the artist’s identity be revealed. Each work is priced at $238, a subtle tribute to the historic home’s age.
Among the featured artists is Sabina Streeter, whose portraits inspired by Bridgehampton’s history will also be on display. Proceeds from all art sales will benefit the Bridgehampton Museum’s ongoing mission to preserve and share local heritage.
