It could be argued that East Hampton Village is severely lacking when it comes to approachable, collaborative (and let’s face it, affordable) year-round places that highlight local artisans and craftspeople…all under one roof.
Enter Gathering Marketplace (82 Park Place), set to open to the public this Friday, June 13, bringing the idea of small business back, offering a new, community-driven retail concept co-founded by jewelry designer Susan Nieland and designer and entrepreneur James Paul Cheung.
Located in the space that housed the Party Shoppe for nearly four decades, Gathering Marketplace will be a shared storefront model designed to support independent brands, according to a press release from the retailer, designed to support independent brands, while providing a home for local artisans, craftspeople and retailers that wouldn’t be able to showcase in a retail space due to financial barriers. The concept will offer flexible, community-focused alternative to traditional retail leasing, with retailers able to rent space within the store based on a pricing tier, thus combining a highly curated product selection.
“This space is meant for local vendors who can’t pay for their own space because rent is too high or the operating expenses are too high for them to have a retail presence in the Hamptons,” says Cheung, a resident of East Hampton who previously had his own retail space specializing in cashmere scarves on Newtown Lane.
A lot of brands that Cheung will be bringing in are new and emerging or small, local brands as well as hard-to-find international brands that are also looking for a retail presence in the Hamptons.
“What’s really great about these brands that we’re bringing it’s they’re very high quality made items, and they’re special,” he says. You won’t find then on Amazon, you won’t find them in department stores. They’re really unique pieces that we’re bringing out here.”
East End based makers, artisans, craftspeople and designers will include Abigail Vogel, Hidden Gem, Hoare & Hoare Antiques, Rhadi Living, Thread + Butter, Pippa Studios, Leslie Lennox Design, HL Jewelry and “Store Next Door from Park Place Wines,” which will be selling all non-alcoholic sundries that cannot be sold in the liquor store. I
This summer, the space will also provide a home for seasonal pop-ups and a social tea lounge, with tea provided by Southampton-based Plain T. According to Cheung, the cafe component will operate toward the back of the 2,000-plus square-foot store while cafe seating will be in the front of the store.
“We’re bringing together a carefully selected group of small businesses and artisans to create a place that feels personal, inclusive, and exciting,” said Cheung. “This is about building community while rethinking what retail can look like in places like the Hamptons, where traditional models aren’t sustainable for most emerging brands.”
The store will be open every day starting this Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
