Quogue toy stores, markets and shops
Kidsday reporter Elle Reilly with The Lily Pad's owner, Theresa Fontana. Credit: Hilary Neumann
We think one of the best places to live or visit is Quogue. Here are four places I think are worth visiting:
Double Rainbow Toy Store
140 Jessup Ave., 631-653-6005
When you walk into Double Rainbow you see a huge gumball machine. That’s only the beginning. It is an ice cream and toy store.
The owner is Grace Davidson. She opened Double Rainbow because she lives in Quogue and she “always owned ice cream stores and I thought this town needed an ice cream and toy store.” Double Rainbow sells ice cream in summer and toys all year round. She said the best-selling items are Lego sets, Playmobil, and Hello Kitty items. Grace has an online business too: hamptontoys.com
The Quogue Market
146 Jessup Ave., 631-653-4191, quoguemarket.com
The Quogue Country Market is a food market, supermarket, deli, butcher, and also sells ice cream and candies. Even though the market has been in Quogue for almost 100 years, the Dellaferra family reopened the store in May, just in time for summer. The best-seller is the delicious bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich. Deli sandwiches are very popular, too.
The Lily Pad
130 Jessup Ave., 631-653-6575
The Lily Pad was opened in 2009 by Theresa Fontana and it is the place where you can buy “All Things Quogue.” Miss Theresa, as she is known to many kids, said she opened the store because the village needed a cool little shop. “I love my village, therefore any item, including T-shirts, pencils, hats, Christmas ornaments, and mints are better with ‘Quogue’ on it.” I wanted to know why she named it The Lily Pad. Miss Theresa said, “Because the mascot of the Quogue School is a frog, and lily pads are where frogs love to hang out. And there are lily pads in the pond down the street.”
Homespun
142 Jessup Ave., 631-996-2525
Ever since I was a little girl, I would go into Homespun and put the chocolate scented lotion on my hands. I loved it! The owner, Elizabeth Donnarumma, always had a tester for us to use! She sells anything you need for your home: jewelry, artwork, clothing, books, clocks, fun stationery, straw bags, and more. She and her husband Michael, could not think of anything better than to own a store where they lived. The Donnarummas are very helpful to the Quogue community. They help with the Quogue Association’s events and planning, sell ducks for the duck race, and support the wildlife refuge. I am going back soon!
