Fran Pineda knows good food forms a following.
Earlier this year, he and his wife, Martha, owners of East Hampton’s beloved Red Horse Market, finalized plans to move into the space at 120 North Sea Road, formerly the space that held Schmidt’s Market for over four decades.
This is the second Hamptons location for the locally run grocer, deli, butcher and catering business, not to mention a familiar Hamptons favorite. Just a few steps outside of Southampton Village, the building, which has been vacant since Schmidt’s relocated to Quogue over two years ago, measures over 6,000-square feet and sits on just over an acre across the street from the Southampton Post Office.
Originally from Ecuador, both Fran and Martha have worked at several different delis and stores across the South Fork (including the former Schmidt’s location, funny enough, and the Hampton Market Place), honing their collective skills as butchers, cooks, caterers and administrators. Along with their sons, Christian and Anthony, they created a thriving butcher department inside the East Hampton location, building a loyal following that extends well beyond the town’s borders.
“We’re planning on opening the first week of June,” says Christian general manager at Red Horse. “That’s our target date. If we can open sooner, that’d be great.”
Expertly butchered meats, fresh seafood, organic poultry, housemade sausages, sandwiches, panini, traditional deli fare, prepared ready-to-heat meals, grocery items, pantry staples, baked goods, and one of the most consistently fresh salad bars east of the Shinnecock Canal add up to a stack of reverent reviews that Red Horse has garnered over the past 12 years.
According to Christian, when the opportunity came up to open a second store, the family pounced, looking to provide their faithful customers with their signature services and endless gourmet items.
The new Southampton location will operate similarly to the East Hampton Red Horse Market, offering artisanal goods, prepared foods and myriad deli and butcher fare. (Photos courtesy of Anthony Pineda)
“[Schmidt’s] was the same business as what we have here in East Hampton,” Christian says. “We’ve had customers coming from Southampton, Sag Harbor, coming to the store expressing their feelling that they wish they could have something like what we’re offering closer to their homes. That made us make the decision to expand.”
Additionally, ample parking and close proximity to the village were other draws at the new location, Pineda notes. “It’s on the village fringe and it’s convenient for people who want to avoid actually going into town. Especially in the summer. It’s really helpful.”
“We’ve established, a great community out here in East Hampton, and we want to do the exact same thing in Southampton,” says Anthony, “where we’re really involved with the local community and just creating a great environment.”
Red Horse Market’s Southampton location will be open every day from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
