Summer 2009

Best Sellers In The Hamptons, Long Island, NY By Diane Roncone

Hildreth’s Department Store in Southampton

In 1842, Lewis Hildreth opened Hildreth’s Department Store in Southampton, but it was no easy task. At that time, the railroad did not yet stretch to the eastern end of the island. Everything had to be brought by ship to the whaling village of Sag Harbor then delivered to the store by horse and buggy. Hildreth’s looked something like a general store back then and locals found all the necessities here, from buffalo robes to whaling harpoons. Original store ledgers from those days are still found hanging on the store’s walls today. Thirteen generations and 167 years after Hildreth’s first opened for business, modern-day Hildreth’s is now the oldest family-owned-and-operated department store in the United States. It offers almost everything for the home, from stylish outdoor furniture to tasteful indoor furnishings, including hand-painted bathroom cabinets, charming children’s bedding, luxurious bath products, candles, and much more.

Best Sellers
Overall: Hildreth’s own brand of plantation-grown teak outdoor furniture
Bedroom Linens: Matouk, Lu Lu Dk Collection
Candles: Rigaud; Colonial
Bath Linens: Abyss Habidecor
Kitchen: Barefoot Contessa
Baby: Bugaboo strollers and accessories

Henry and Colleen Hildreth, and Abbie Hildreth Patrikis; owners
631.283.2300
Hildreths.com

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Diane Roncone

Diane Roncone is editor-in-chief of Homes of the Hamptons and works full-time as the production editor for www.hamptons.com. She believes in living life to the fullest and has traveled extensively, meeting princes and prime ministers, counts and rock stars. She's eaten snake soup in Hong Kong, danced with Greek dancers in Athens, and hung upside down by her feet in a Cabo San Lucas bar. She loves fresh lobster straight off the boat in her little town of Hampton Bays (preferably with a glass of bubbly) and heads to her tiny, rustic lakefront getaway whenever possible.