Despite the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, research shows that when it comes to notetaking, spelling and all-around comprehension, our brains are still very much wired to retain information based on the good old fashioned act of writing things down.
To that end, tangible tools remain essential for students in kindergarten through 12th grade (and beyond) to stay organized and able to participate effectively. And while most basic school supplies are easily found online or at big-box retailers, the Sag Harbor Variety Store (aka the 5&10) remains the Hamptons’ go-to for classroom bare necessities, and ha been for over a century.
A fixture on Sag Harbor’s Main Street, the 5&10 originally opened as a Benjamin Franklin five-and-dime in 1922. Nearly five decades later, in 1970, Roseann Bucking and her husband, Phil, purchased the building and the business. Roseann now co-owns it with her daughter, Lisa Fields.
“I think it’s great,” Bucking says of the steadfast need for students to acquire back-to-school supplies. “It’s refreshing to know that.”
Clockwise from top left: Five Star folders, Merangue pencil case, Pilo G2 07 pen, Samsill binder, Five Star spiral notebook, Ticonderoga pencils, pencil grips, pencil erasers, pencil sharpener. (Photo credit: Doug Young)
Five Star folder, $3.99 each. Each four-pocket laminated paper folder keeps documents secure and is coated with water-resistant technology.
Merangue pencil case, $9.99. Durable, sleek and built to last, this practical yet stylish silicone pencil pouch keeps all your writing tools in one place.
Pilot G2 07 pen, $2.99 each. Millennials, rejoice! This pen remains the undisputed champ, beloved to this day for its smooth-flowing gel ink, longer-than-average writing capabilities and comfortable, ergonomic rubber grip.
Composition notebook, $3.99. Classic for a reason, these iconic notebooks are both reliable and affordable, containing durable sewn-in, wide-ruled pages with a cloth-taped spine to keep notes intact, plus helpful reference guides printed on the inside covers.
Samsill three-ring binder, $14.99. This American-made binder — the world’s first USDA-certified biobased ring binder, made with nearly 60% plant-based content — comes with interior pockets and is designed to protect pages for years to come.
Ticonderoga #2 pencils, $7.99 for a pack of 10. Beloved by teachers for their dependable graphite, high-quality erasers and even sharpening properties, these pencils are the Cadillacs of the classroom and famously marketed as “the world’s best pencil.”
CLI Inc. pencil sharpener, $2.99. Razor-sharp blades, an ability to sharpen standard and jumbo size pencils and crayons, plus an easy-to-open receptacle make this handy little tool a classroom must-have.
CLI Inc. eraser caps, $1.99 for a pack of five. Latex-free and offered in an assortment of colors, these caps dress up your writing utensil and act as durable replacements when your pencil’s own eraser gets worn down. They’re made by Charles Leonard Inc., an office supply wholesaler founded and based in Hauppauge since 1946.
CLI Inc. pencil grips, $1.99 for a pack of five. Give your fingers a little support with these simple yet highly effective grips that increase comfort while writing, reduce hand fatigue and temporarily guide finger placement.
Five Star spiral notebook, $14.99 for a five-subject notebook. These notebooks work almost as hard as you do. Featuring high-quality college-ruled paper, reinforced pockets, snag-resistant wire spirals and a water-resistant cover, they range from single subject to five-subject books and are known for their consistent heavy-duty reliability.
