The holidays are rolling into Westhampton Beach village jollier than ever. WHB village is bringing in inventory, sales, Holiday decorations, and even Santa Claus to make it more than a popular summer vacation spot. With more residents, more stores and restaurants are staying open year round.
Some restaurants such as Margarita Grille are participating in the festivities by throwing a Holiday Christmas party open to everyone on December 23rd at 8 p.m. An ornament making station for children was available during the Winter Holiday festival. Margarita Grille will be open to New Year’s Day, a month later than usual and children eat half off Monday through Thursday.
The local bookstore, Books and Books, is keeping it “new and fresh by investing in new inventory.” They are making sure they have the latest releases, including some that are not even available on the new E book technology.
Books and Books is now the closest bookstore to the North Fork, largely due to the closing of the chain bookstore Borders; this draws people towards Westhampton Beach instead of further out on eastern Long Island.
Books & Books has a customer appreciation program and customers can receive 10% off every dollar spent over $150 annually, plus preferred seating at author events. “In November alone, our sales were up 53% over November 2010. Independent bookstores across the country are reporting strong November and early holiday sales, up in the double digits. It is proof of the resilience of independent bookselling and of marketing initiatives like Small Business Saturday,” reports Jack McKeown.
Island Surf is also finding innovative ways to attract costumers. They are “investing in new and fresh winter inventory to make the shop more attractive,” said Shawn Mett, owner of Island Surf. Island Surf has been in business for 14 years, but recently “took a risk in pioneering business up Sunset Ave.” Island Surf is open from 10-6 P.M. everyday in the off-season, with 50% off summer merchandise and 25% off winter merchandise and sunglasses.
The town is shifting from a summer retreat to a year round residence. Shawn Mett, claims, “More people are staying year round because of our great school system.” Dwayne Kirchner, proprietor of Margarita Grille, contributes the success to both the “wonderful weather and success of our football team on Friday nights.”
Westhampton Beach’s Chamber of Commerce website states, “More and more of the seasonal visitors are becoming year round residents.” It seems that Westhampton Beach’s economy is finding ways to be available to them. Even when Westhampton Beach is not having a special holiday event, it can be a great location to come and collect your thoughts in its slightly less busy atmosphere.