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New York Post

A look inside Westhampton Beach — the ‘commuter Hamptons' that caters to ‘local' Long Islanders

The tide is turning in Westhampton Beach. Though the quiet eastern Long Island town has been perceived as poorer in relation to other, celeb-packed Hamptons hotspots — the popularity of the seaside playground has been steadily growing with locals who don't have helicopter-and-private-yacht-level money. 'Westhampton Beach is the Hamptons for the commuters, for the local Long Island people,' pizzaiolo Michael Brunetti, whose restaurant of his namesake is a hot spot on Main Street, told The Post. Advertisement 9 'Westhampton Beach is the Hamptons for the commuters, for the local Long Island people,' pizzaiolo Michael Brunetti said. Dennis A. Clark One advantage is that Westhampton Beach is about 20 to 30 miles closer to the heart of the Island than Southampton and East Hampton. As of Friday morning, a viral video captured what's bound to be months of bumper-to-bumper east end exodus from the Big Apple. Advertisement 9 Westhampton is expecting a big season this summer. Dennis A. Clark 'On a Friday afternoon or evening, to go from Westhampton to Southampton, it could take a few hours,' Brunetti, who boasts that Westhampton Beach's initials stand for 'where Hamptons begin,' added. 'Long Islanders love to come here because it's so close. In Huntington, you could be here in 45 minutes or half an hour sometimes.' Fear of missing what the other Hamptons offer is also minuscule, as Main Street underwent a complete cosmetic overhaul during Covid. Advertisement 9 Main Street in Westhampton has enjoyed a major makeover since the pandemic. Dennis A. Clark The town moved utility poles underground, phased out stinky septic tanks, and ripped up the entire roadway — and that's brought in tons of new restaurants, stores, a reopened theater, and local visitors on a prettier stretch of blocks. 'People coming from Long Island increased, I would say potentially, 45% in the past five years,' Carlos David Vega, the general manager of the posh Westhampton Bath and Tennis Club, said. 9 Long Islanders are carving a niche in Westhampton this summer. Dennis A. Clark Advertisement Folks from up island are using the club's tennis courts, beach access, and saltwater pool — all while returning home by 9 p.m., the 25-year-long employee of the resort and hotel added. 'They've gone from staycation and now make it a daycation.' The 'mom and pop' Hampton 9 The West Hamptons attitude is much more relaxed and low-key, said Shock Ice Cream owner Elyse Richman. Dennis A. Clark That's not to say A-listers don't swing by themselves — Tom Brady has been known to sign pizza boxes inside Brunetti's eatery — but the attitude is much more relaxed and low-key, said Shock Ice Cream owner Elyse Richman. 'We don't really have corporate restaurants here, we don't have stores like Cartier from the city,' she said, adding that people from the other status quo Hamptons and Sag Harbor are also starting to trickle into the charming town. 'Most of the stores on the street are mom and pop…everyone knows everyone, and it's much more personal. I think that's what they enjoy about it. It's very homey. It's just a nice place to be.' Brunetti added that Westhampton also picks up islander appeal as a place where keeping up with the Joneses is virtually non-existent as opposed to other destinations on the fork. Advertisement 'You just don't find it like that here — even though the affluence is here,' he said. 'It's not very flaunted. People here are much more laid-back.' 9 Westhampton caters to the community as much as it does to celebrities. Dennis A. Clark 9 Affluence is present yet relaxed in Westhampton Beach. Dennis A. Clark By land or by sea Another lure for Westhampton Beach is that it's only a quick trip on the boat, explained Peter Haskell of Haskell's Seafood. Advertisement 'That's another way to travel on Long Island,' he said. 'Many times, we're servicing people who would like to take a meal back to their boat to enjoy or fish to barbecue at their marinas. Even during 'shoulder seasons' outside of summer, Haskell hears customers say they're coming by from nearby, such as one couple from Port Jefferson on the North Shore. 'I think things are just getting better season by season now.' 9 Long Islanders are also boating to Westhampton to make the most of a soon-to-be summer day. Dennis A. Clark Advertisement 9 Agata Riccioli and her cousin Maria Burriesci are opening a jewelry business in town because of its new, excellent reputation. Dennis A. Clark The town's turn inspired Ronkonkoma native Agata Riccioli and her cousin Maria Burriesci to open Isola Bella Jewelers on Main Street in the coming days. 'We feel like this is going to be the new spot of the Hamptons, and we're really excited about what it's going to be in the next few years,' Riccioli said.