Southampton’s “Stay Out Late-Starry Night” Encouraging The Community To “Think Local”

In an era where you can buy just about anything you could possibly think of online, Southampton Town is hoping that a new initiative will remind local consumers that the area’s businesses depend on us to stay open. Back in 2016, Southampton Town Councilman Stan J. Glinka, the Town’s Business Advisory Council (BAC), and the Southampton Business Alliance launched a “Think Local” campaign with the goal of encouraging residents and visitors to support local businesses and raise awareness of how doing so benefits the community.

To support the campaign, Councilman Glinka and the BAC have partnered with Southampton Village Chamber of Commerce, Southampton Arts Center, East End Restaurant Week and Union Cantina for “Stay Out Late-Starry Night” on Thursday, March 30th.

“The Business Advisory Council has been working on the ‘Think Local’ initiative for some time and one of the items that kept coming up was promoting certain nights of the week that businesses within our Hamlets and Villages would stay open later, especially during the winter months,” shared Councilman Glinka.

During the “Stay Out Late-Starry Night” event, participating businesses will stay open until at least 8 p.m., and some participants will be offering special discounts and giveaways. The goal of the evening is not only to inspire residents and visitors to shop locally, but also to entice the entire Town to remain open later year round.

“This pilot event in Southampton Village has had a very positive response from the local business community, with more than 20 businesses within the Village participating,” added Councilman Glinka.

Union Cantina’s Short Rib Tacos. (Photo: Barbara Lynn Photography)

Bean to Tween, Besim’s Fine Cigars, Cashmere Outlet, Christopher Fischer, Club Monaco, Dazzelle, Gym Source, J Crew, Jill Lynn & Co., Kevin Maple Salon, Little Lucy’s Accessories, London Jewelers, Ralph Lauren, Rotations Bicycle Center, Sea Green Designs, Stevenson’s Toys, Therapy, Union Cantina, Vineyard Vines and White’s Apothecary are among those partaking in the event. In addition to extending its normal hours, White’s Apothecary will present refreshments, travel sized products and mini La Mer facials from 6 to 8 p.m.

“As the owner of a retail store on Jobs Lane and the President of the Southampton Chamber of Commerce, I’m very excited about the Southampton Town Business Council’s ‘Stay Out Late-Starry Night’ event,” noted Shannon Willey, who owns Sea Green Designs.

The event’s timing coincides with East End Restaurant Week, so diners at Le Charlot Southampton, Red|Bar Brasserie, Shippy’s Pumpernickels Restaurant East and Union Cantina (or one of the other 20 plus East End-based restaurants) can enjoy a three course meal for under $30 at the Southampton eateries and then head to their favorite local shop for a little post dinner retail therapy.

“We are hoping that by getting many retailers together to stay open on this one night during Restaurant Week we will draw people to Southampton Village to enjoy shopping, dining, and the events the Southampton Arts Center will have taking place that night,” explained Willey.

Along with the Restaurant Week promotion, Union Cantina will treat diners to live music and happy hour prices all night long. “With Union Cantina being an integral part of the Southampton Village community, I find it important to help promote community engagement initiatives such as this one, and to attract more people to our great local shops, restaurants and cultural institutions,” shared Union Cantina owner Ian Duke. “We are hoping that by being a major promoter of this event, we will influence our fellow Southampton businesses to stay open late, all year-round, which will benefit both us locals and visitors.”

Southampton Arts Center will host a screening of Exhibitions on Screen: Vincent van Gogh – A New Way of Seeing.

Additionally, Southampton Arts Center will host a screening of Exhibitions on Screen: Vincent van Gogh – A New Way of Seeing at 8 p.m.

“Southampton Arts Center is pleased to take part in ‘Stay Out Late – Starry Night,’ which also happens to be the birthday of Vincent van Gogh,” shared Amy Kirwin, Director of Programs at Southampton Arts Center. “We took that inspiration and found an incredible documentary to show, Exhibition On Screen: Vincent van Gogh – A New Way of Seeing, which offers exclusive access to the van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam and explores the dramatic story and iconic work of one of the world’s most beloved artists.”

Participants would love to see local businesses extending their hours on a regular basis. “We hope people will make a night of it by shopping, dining, and joining us for the film,” added Kirwin. “The Center is often open later, so we are very excited to be in the company of these other businesses to encourage the community to stay out late.”

“With the businesses working together, I would love to see this be a recurring event that people could look forward to as a great night to visit our Village,” added Willey.

For more information, contact Councilman Glinka at 631-287-5745.