Well…Hello there!
Welcome back to the Buzz Around Town with me, Suzie Q: Where you get all of the need-to-know scoops on everything in Stony Brook Village!
I hope you haven’t fallen too far into that post-Holiday slump…but even if you have, I know exactly what you need to recharge: a day in our favorite place, Stony Brook Village! Let me tell you about my visit this past weekend:
My bestfriends and I decided to start our day off with coffees. We met at Crazy Beans for a quick caffeine fix. I ordered a gingersnap latte off of their winter specials; the sweetness of the gingerbread and cookie flavor worked perfectly with the cinnamon syrup and coffee – it warmed me up on this chilly day!
While we sipped, we discussed our plan for the day: some shopping (I did not tell my husband about this part), a visit to the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, lunch and a stroll through the village.
I knew exactly where our first stop would be: Madison’s Niche!
On our way to the shop, we passed by the newest restaurant in the village, Luca. They weren’t open yet as it was morning, but we still looked at the menu and peeked through the windows. We were enamored by the sleek gold embellishments, modern marble bar and rustic wood logs that separated the rooms. We decided immediately that this was where we needed to go for lunch. I made a 1pm reservation on their website with my phone.
As we entered Madison’s Niche, I was awed by the varieties of home décor: with themes of coastal oasis, modern home, southern living and cozy spaces…plus, everything in between. I found the perfect gift for my sister’s birthday party next week: a bar tool set and a marble charcuterie board. I made a mental note that I’d have to stop by Lake Side Emotions Wine Boutique before leaving to complete her gift.
Before I could leave the store, my nose caught a whiff of the most delicious smell. It was a diffuser with scents bergamot, marine and jasmine…which I purchased as a gift…for myself!
We stopped inside Loft before leaving the Market Square section of the village. There, I found the most beautifully colored velvet pants. They match my new blouse from Mint that I picked up last week, and my jacket and scarf from Chico’s!
After our short shopping spree, we headed over to the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame. As soon as we walked through the front doors we were met with floor to ceiling of all things music and entertainment.
Did you know that Blue uses Eminence Organic Skin Care? I love that the company uses “sustainable farming and green practices to create natural, organic and biodynamic products”.
We ordered our drinks, for myself an espresso martini (yes, I am a caffeine fiend). Myself and another friend selected the two plates for our two-course lunch (which is served Wednesday through Sunday, 12pm – 2:30pm, by the way), while the other opted to do only one dish. I chose the capunti and the tagliatelle.
After my first bite, I made it a point to save room for dessert. The tagliatelle is made of a long, wide pasta that is wrapped in the best Bolognese I have ever had. The beef, pork, pancetta and parmesan make this dish incredibly satisfying.
As we strolled through the village we noticed that there was an Audio Experience of Stony Brook Village created by the Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO) that was free to enjoy. We scanned the QR code and were brought to a screen that featured different stops around the village. We decided to learn more about Post Office.
It seems that a new stop was added and features the history of the Hercules Pavilion too! There are a lot of things I learned in this section of the Audio Experience that I never knew about our favorite place!
We decided to stop into Village Florist and Events to get a bouquet made. The winter blues have already begun to take effect in my household. A colorful arrangement always cheers us up! I had forgotten all of the cute items the Village Florist has – mugs, candles, décor, garden items and more. I need to remember that for my next visit. Before leaving, I stopped into Lake Side Emotions Wine Boutique to add a bottle of wine to my sister’s gift. I love that this shop was created for people who care about the wine that they drink!
I can’t help but reflect on my day: it was filled with so many magical new experiences. Stony Brook Village always delivers a full heart and an even fuller stomach!
XOXO, Suzie Q
The New Beginnings Auction is as easy as eBay and will feature items starting at $50 to items that have a priceless value. Included in the auction are a six-hour, private six-person fishing charter, dinner for four at Duryea’s Orient Point, rare liquor, pizza every month for a year, an exclusive champagne toast and drinks for six at the Explorer’s Club with President Richard Wiese (pictured to right), and a variety of other items and experiences.
Ron Gonzalez CEO of RJG Consulting Group says that his group, “is an information technology company located in Stony Brook Village committed to giving back to the community. RJG Group believes that the mission of the Ward Melville Heritage Organization is critical to the local community and Long Island. WMHO provides educational and cultural programming, they also preserve our local historical sites and wetlands. These sites are part of our identity as a community. Preserving them as well as providing culturally diverse events and education are the pillars of our company’s core values at RJG Group. As a reflection of our shared vision, RJG Group is providing various Resort Accommodation Certificates in approximate total value of $24,250 to the WMHO. As CEO, Ronald Gonzales is proud to support community organizations, especially during this difficult time”. 
January 2020
, I saw the most adorable chocolate dog! Speaking of chocolate, Blue Salon and Spa has an absolutely delightful chocolate covered strawberry facial masque that left my skin feeling so soft and smelling so delicious! I almost got one of their unbelievably relaxing massages, but was a little short on time for my brunch reservation.
Apparently the Education and Cultural Center is hosting a Chinese New Year Celebration on Sunday, February 2nd. From the hours of 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, there will be demonstrations of Chinese Lion Dancing and Kung Fu, dancing, singing and even a craft for the kiddies!
5888 – I need to make sure I get tickets for myself and my family for both events!
the soft teddy bears and the arrangements with colorful roses and lilies make you feel like love is in the air! Actually now that I think of it, a lot of the shops have taken to celebrating romance – even the Premiere Pastry had adorable love-inspired French macrons, heart-shaped sweets and stunning cakes. Madison’s Niche is also bringing a lot of love to Stony Brook Village! They have the most adorable mugs, beautiful ring holders and romantic wall décor!
have the most beautiful necklaces and earrings – I should let my husband know about all of their sparkles!
So we are dropping the kids off at my mother’s house in pajamas with a few Valentine’s Day storybooks I got at Cottontails. We are starting our romantic adventure with dinner at the Country House – their menu is themed after famous couples!
Making our reservations reminded me of another event I already got my tickets for – A Taste of Stony Brook Village! This year, the event will take place at the Three Village Inn from 6 pm to 9 pm! A lot of Stony Brook Village’s shops and merchants will be have a bunch of giveaways, food sample, demonstrations and raffles! Plus there will be live music by Roberta Fabiano, dancing performances and a fashion show by Chico’s! The best part of the event is that you have all of this fun and you feel good about it because all proceeds go to Stony Brook Medicine for breast cancer research. You can get your tickets by clicking this link: 
“Legends and Spies”. They portray some of America’s most important spies, as well as other individuals who have played a role in this amazing community – Dorothy and Ward Melville and artist William Sydney Mount.
What a great gift idea for Mom and Dad! I think they’d like to go after the New Year, which is perfect because the show runs until January 11th. If you’re looking for another holiday performance, the Jazz Loft is performing the Nutcracker with a 17-piece big band and a vocalist on select dates and times this month!
I was lured into the Village Florist when I walked past its doors. I was met with the sight of everything for the holidays. They have outstanding holiday snowmen and beautiful tree ornaments! Mint had the furriest sweaters and lovely hats – They’d pair so beautifully with the colorful blouses, designer pants and shining jewelry in Loft and Chicos!
Keeping young ones in mind, I saw the prettiest holiday pajama and storybook combo gifts at Cottontails. Their outfits for children of all ages are stunning for the holiday season.
I think I’ll stop into Madison’s Niche for that cake platter that I saw to show off the cupcakes and cake.
Stony Brook Village has something for everyone, including the man of the house! Perhaps I can buy him a new sweater, some holiday socks or one of those nice new jackets from Jos. A. Bank.
would be the best way to ensure that they get exactly what they want this holiday season! This one gift certificate can be used anywhere throughout the village. They’re available at the Ward Melville Heritage Organization office located at 111 Main Street in Stony Brook Village on the second floor, right above Cottontails!
such as t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, mugs and even ornaments of different village locations and have them shipped right to my front doors – there’s nothing like being proud of Stony Brook Village and showing it!
food and the livelihood of the people who lived there. Katie is tired of being told what to do, where to go and who to be…and she’s ready to fight back against the red coats who have taken everything from her.
and played a part in making Long Island what it is today. In fact, rumor has it that the Mirabelle at Three Village Inn (c.1751), the Country House (c. 1710), Crazy Beans, Sweet Mama’s, Pentimento, Fratelli’s, Robinson’s Tea Room are even planning on serving special menus in celebration of the event!
tickets to both the Courageous Women of the Revolutionary War Trolley Tour and the Journey Through Time exhibit at the Educational and Cultural Center, plus a Stony Brook Village Courtesy Card!
The tour starts at the historic Grist Mill with Mrs. Alida Emmet. Mrs. Emmet brings life to the Grist Mill and its adjacent Mill Pond’s incredible history (which may or may not have been the location of the very first vineyard on Long Island!). She leads the group down the street to the
All Soul’s Church explaining the creative architecture and history of the building. In her last role, Mrs. Emmet leads the group to the Hercules Pavilion to meet Mrs. Jonas Smith.
and its relationship with the “perfect” American made vessel, the U.S.S. Ohio! As she walks the tour over to the Three Village Inn, she explains the unimaginable wealth of her husband, Jonas Smith. With Mrs. Smith, the revolutionary history of the Inn, also known as “the Old Homestead” is explored.
– the summer exhibit at the Educational and Cultural Center – Journey Through Time. This exhibit is a collection of how our lives have changed since 1939, the perfect way to finish our walking tour!
I also saw a beer cap display box that would be perfect because he loves to save the bottle caps of his favorite brews from Brew Cheese! Speaking of brews – the shop also had unique beer bottle candles!
make sure to stop by Camera Concepts and Telescope Solutions. They also astronomy workshops that are starting in July for those who love the nighttime stars!
Or perhaps he would prefer reservations for the Walking Through Time Walking Tours, taking place on select dates from July through
September. The tours will give the history of the area from the 18th Century through the 21st Century. The purchase of a premium ticket would even include entry into the Journey Through Time exhibit! 
Aunt Elizabeth didn’t stop talking about how nice the luncheon and performance would be. What a perfect Mother’s Day present for her…I’ll have to come back and reserve two tickets for us soon since they only perform from May 8th to June 13th!
While on the subject – when we passed by Village Florist, I
That reminds me of the truly wonderful treatment I had at Blue Salon and Spa.
Heart Beet Farms will also be in the Village selling lots of veges and more each Saturday now through October 13 in front of Crazy Beans. 
and new bikes to see it really is amazing. They have over 35 bikes there, from a 1902 Rambler to a 2018 Can-Am Spyder, as well as the same type of motorcycle Elvis owned – a “ 1975 Rupp Centaur.” Another not-to-be-missed event …and it is open 7 days a week 10 am to 5 pm until summer’s end! While I was there I see that registration is now open for the Walk for Beauty on October 21 benefitting breast cancer research. It’s a 4K/6K Walk and a 10K Run. I just registered and you can do it too right here: 
including the next photography cruise on August 25. My dad is such a camera enthusiast and Camera Concepts here in the village gives a class prior to the cruise and then will critique your photos afterward on an enormous high definition TV screen inside the gazebo. How great is that! My uncle recently took the cruise and loved it. He has a way with words so I’ll share his comment – “It’s a great mix of education and entertainment, while learning useful and creative photo techniques and having fun doing it!”
ous barbecue sauce and oils for grilling. Brew Cheese had everything I needed to 
complete the meal with a beautiful cheese platter and unique craft beers. While walking across the Inner Court I noticed that Heartbeet Farms has an organic farm stand set up every Saturday morning and they’re even having a talk on July 25th for the 55+ Club on organic gardening at the Cultural Center.
ow excited I was to discover that the next night the Sunday Summer Concert Series on the Green
begins. This year is extra exciting because they have three performances in one night. This Sunday it’s Ava Della Pietra, 13 years old (direct from Broadway!), Sara Caliguiri who’s 15 years old and a finalist from Long Island’s Got Talent contest and the famous NY’s Most Dangerous Big Band.