Destination Northport: ‘The world’s biggest small town’

There’s a soon-to-open hotel, a sought-out theater and a host of galleries, shops and eateries. There’s the waterfront, plenty of spots to picnic, a winery, and a whole lot of heart. Long Islanders might drive hours for such a destination, whether to one of the Forks, or perhaps New England. But all of this is available, close by, in Northport.

“North of 25A is like a little cocoon – when you come in here, people are so surprised to see what a beautiful spot it is with the harbor, shops and parks,” said Dorothy Walsh, the  Northport Chamber of Commerce recording and corresponding secretary, and a former local business owner.

“Most of the shops – as soon as there is a vacancy – it’s taken,” she said of the village’s estimated mile-long Main Street.

Modern Northport continues to grow as a destination. Still, tradition runs deep in this former farming and shipbuilding hub, where innovation serves to inspire and foster community. It’s even landed Northport on World Atlas’ list of New York’s most picturesque small towns, right up there with Saratoga Springs, Sag Harbor, Rhinebeck and others.

All of this is good for business.

This was evident on a recent Friday night – one of the season’s first truly summery evenings – when the village’s Main Street was bustling. Children were enjoying frozen treats and families were taking their dogs out for a stroll. There were lines at restaurants, with visitors to the town hoping to catch a bite before curtain time at the John W. Engeman Theater, whose lineups dazzle with Broadway performers.

The theater is across the street from The Northport Hotel, which has begun accepting reservations for its opening date on Aug. 1, or perhaps sooner. Both the theater and the 26-room boutique hotel are owned by Richard Dolce and Kevin O’Neill.

Already, the hotel has a wait list for July, according to its website. O’Neill predicts that the venue, which will also boast a steakhouse, along with the theater will bring big gains for Northport.

“We’re making economic ripple effects to help drive the economy downtown,” he said, noting that adjacent business owners are “cleaning up their buildings.”

Others share that sentiment.

“The new Northport Hotel is an incredible asset not only for the village but for surrounding communities that have long been void of the opportunity to enjoy an overnight stay,” said Discover Long Island President and CEO Kristen Reynolds.

“For every $100 a visitor spends at a hotel, they average $221 spent in the local community, which strengthens the heart of Main Street and introduces new audiences to Northport’s historic charm, unique shops, delicious dining, and world-class entertainment,” she added.

“It’s steadily, progressively growing,” said Janet Hoeft, president of Northport’s Chamber of Commerce, of the abundance of offerings on Main Street.

In Northport, said Lee Stuart, who owns Gold Coast Cigars, which he manages with his son Glenn, “the game has already changed, in a community that is “increasingly popular.”

Word of mouth spread during COVID, said Stuart, who owns another shop in East Northport.

“Northport didn’t shut down,” he said. Visitors “found it during those days – there were a tremendous amount of boaters from across Long Island Sound.”

People wanted “to get out of the city and found Northport for day trips,” he added. “They could sit on the patio outside and enjoy a cigar.”

Steve Squitiro and Andrew Affa of the Standard Hospitality Group chose 25A in the outskirts of Northport for their latest venture, Arlo Kitchen & Bar. Standard Hospitality also owns The Piermont in Babylon, Mission Taco in Huntington and The Standard at North Shore Synagogue in Syosset.

Arlo is situated on a hilltop that is “secluded and hidden,” and “the location made me nervous” as it had “no visibility, up on a bend,” Squitiro said. But he was determined to wow the region with its level of detail at Arlo. Having opened in December, the venue and its menu get high marks, judging by dining enthusiasts on the Tri-State Restaurant Club. The area couldn’t be more welcoming, he said.

“Northport is a very nice community,” Squitiro said. “Very successful people live here. A lot of great people are coming here for sure,” he said, adding that he was grateful to be at village’s gateway on Fort Salonga Road.

Also popular – and also not on Main Street – is Del Vino Vineyards. The winery has a tasting room, outdoor seating and private rooms for events, and has proven to be a draw for those who don’t want to drive to the East End for a vineyard experience.

Keeping traditions

Now, the new replaces what-once-was, and Katie Laible, managing partner of The Firefly Artists gallery, remembers well the places that have come and gone.

While “the restaurants, art galleries and shops are fantastic,” the village had “a blacksmith that was a treasure, and everyone misses the hardware store and five-and- dime,” she said.

Firefly is now in the same building that once housed the Northport Hardware Company.  The gallery was barely in the space a month when she was approached about holding the “Leg Lamp Lighting,” a beloved, albeit quirky, Northport tradition.

It all started, Laible said, when the hardware store owners found a lamp whose base resembled a leg -an “old gag gift.” The owners “decided to put the lamp in the shop’s window and gave it a salute. The next year, they dragged eight of 10 guys out of Gunther’s Tap Room next door to salute it with them.”

The tradition began to grow, Laible said, adding that “the community started noticing and the kids got involved.”

Each year the tradition grew more popular, adding a kick line, students from a local dance school and more. But without the hardware store, the Leg Lamp Lighting’s future was uncertain. As Laible tells it, the owner of the nearby Shipwreck Diner approached her and said “This tradition needs to come back home,” and promised to supply hot chocolate and cookies for the community.

The community raised about $1,500 – “Just about every storeowner I’d run into that last week kicked in,” Laible said. With those funds, the community was able to retain an AV company to handle the lighting and pay its staff for the event, which was held on Small Business Saturday.

The event is part the Northport experience, which includes other popular happenings such as the Great Cow Harbor 10K Run, outdoor concerts, parades and Farmers’ Markets. And while the community makes a point of honoring treasured pastimes, it also welcomes new events. For example, on June 17, Northport will host its first-ever Pride in the Park.

It’s all part of the fabric of Northport.

Moving forward, Laible wonders whether the recent LIPA settlement would impact the community, adding that she hopes “we do something about taxes all over Long Island.”

Meanwhile, she is grateful to be in a community that appreciates the arts, a walkable, family-oriented community and other elements that are drawing people to Northport.

“Generally speaking, people like living here,” Hoeft said. “It’s a lovely place to be and good for all ages.”

Laible put it this way: “It’s the world’s biggest small town.”

[email protected]

d