Where You Shop Matters - Support Our Community

Christmas Tree Lighting and Holiday Market December 6, 2014
Hosted by the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Chamber of Commerce
Photographs Courtesy of the Oyster Bay Main Street Association

With the holiday season upon us, we want to stress the importance of shopping locally to support our local business owners, who are our friends and neighbors, and to support the downtown as a whole.  According to the 3/50 Project for "every $100 spent in locally owned independent stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures."  It was encouraging to see the success of American Express' Small Business Saturday as well as that of the Holiday Market set up by our Chamber of Commerce during the Christmas tree lighting last weekend.  We would love to see this trend continue throughout the holiday season!

We do, however, understand that many supporters of Oyster Bay do not live locally and so, we wanted to let you know of an opportunity to give back to our community while shopping online - not only now, but all year long.  Amazon.com has created the AmazonSmile Foundation and has pledged to donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the Oyster Bay Main Street Association so that we can continue our mission of revitalizing the downtown.

To make sure a portion of your purchases go to support the Main Street Association please click the banner to the left and you will be taken to the AmazonSmile website.  

After selecting to support the Oyster Bay Main Street Association, you can continue to shop as normal and Amazon will take care of the rest.  Make sure that upon returning to shop that you visit the AmazonSmile website: smile.amazon.com to ensure your eligible purchases have twice the impact!

Happy shopping!

Hope your holiday season is merry and bright!

Oyster Bay Main Street Association

Thank You for Helping Us Get into the Holiday Spirit!

Despite the rain, the Oyster Bay Main Street Association's 

Second Annual Yuletide Church Walk was a great success! 

St. Dominic's R.C. Chapel, 93 Anstice Street, Oyster Bay, New York
All photographs taken by Meredith Maus of the Oyster Bay Main Street Association

December 6, 2014
Oyster Bay, New York - So many participants braved the rain to join us for the first leg of our journey, which began in St. Dominic's R.C. Chapel.  Participants began the tour seated in the pews learning a brief history of the church and its connection to the well known resident of Oyster Bay - Louis C. Tiffany.

St. Dominic's Alter and Pipe Organ

Pieces all over the church have been examined by experts and almost conclusively determined to be the work of Tiffany, from its interior windows to the elaborate alter at the front of the church.  As the tour went on, participants were invited to take a closer look of the alter and even to venture to the balcony to take a closer look at - and play a few chords on - the church's beautiful organ.

Christ Church of Oyster Bay, 61 East Main Street, Oyster Bay, New York

We then made our way down the hill to our second stop of the trip - Christ Church of Oyster Bay.  The amazing thing about these churches is that despite their close proximity the architecture varies so drastically.  Upon entering Christ Church, participants were given a quick history of the church and shown several photographs of the church buildings that had stood on the site prior to the present one. The church's ties to Theodore Roosevelt and his family were also highlighted with several drawings and photographs from the President's funeral on display and perhaps most significantly the original pew where Roosevelt sat during his Sunday masses is still in tact.  Our gracious hosts also explained to the crowd the importance of the lay out of the church, which is in that of a cross, as well as the importance of the stories told in the stained glass windows.

The First Presbyterian Church of Oyster Bay

As we made our way to the final destination - The First Presbyterian Church of Oyster Bay - our group had noticeably grown in number.  Upon arrival, we were treated to a presentation and question and answer session by Pastor Jeffrey Prey on the history and architecture of this beautiful building, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.  Following Pastor Prey's talk, the Mount Olive Baptist Church's Gospel Choir took to the stage and regaled the crowd with several selections from their repertoire.  The music was breathtaking and a perfect way to bring this years Yuletide Church Walk to a close.

A big thank you to all of our gracious hosts for their knowledge and their hospitality!  

And another huge thank you to the Mount Olive Baptist Choir for their gospel concert!

It was truly a beautiful evening, thank you to all who attended.  We hope to see you next year!

Come enjoy the Holidays in Oyster Bay

You're invited to the

Oyster Bay Main Street Association's

2nd Annual Yuletide Church Walk 

and Gospel Concert

Please join us

Saturday, December 6, 2014­­

for an afternoon that is sure to get you in the holiday spirit!

Oyster Bay is fortunate to have a number of different churches, each with its own distinctive architecture and history.  And we are pleased to offer you the opportunity to learn about and see these historic gems up close, with holiday decorations and spirit at their most festive!

2 pm - Our Journey begins as St. Dominic's Chapel

93 Anstice Street

Where we will learn about the history and design of this beautiful chapel, which was first built in 1897.

2:30 pm - We head down the hill to Christ Church

61 East Main Street

Where a short film highlighting the history of the church and its ties to President Roosevelt and his family will be shown from 2:45 to 3:15,

including a Q & A session.

3:15 pm - We then process to The First Presbyterian Church

60 East Main Street

Where we will learn about the architecture and history of the 1873 chapel, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

3:30 pm - Mount Olive Baptist Church's Mass Choir

As a grand finale, the 15 member choir of Mount Olive Baptist will perform gospel and holiday songs for the crowd.  This is an opportunity that is not to be missed!

4:45 pm - Annual Oyster Bay Tree Lighting

Following the concert, we will take a short walk along Audrey Avenue and end our journey at the Annual Oyster Bay Tree Lighting Ceremony with free refreshments available for all!

This event is free and participants are welcome to join us at any point along the way.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Newsday: Buying in (and into) Oyster Bay

Buying in Oyster Bay

Updated November 6, 2014 12:24 PM
By LISA DOLL BRUNO  lisa.doll-bruno@newsday.com

Originally published in the Real Estate section of Newsday

The marina in Oyster Bay hamlet's Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park on Oct. 29, 2014. Photo Credit: Newsday / Audrey C. Tiernan 

Given its location on the North Shore, the hamlet of Oyster Bay -- on Oyster Bay Harbor -- is sheltered from through-traffic. "What I love about Oyster Bay is it's quiet. . . . There's no hum of the LIE," says resident Marilyn Fox of Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty. Yet everything one needs is nearby, she adds. 

The area's waterfront and historic landmarks attract tourists. Museums such as the Earle-Wightman House on Summit Street and Raynham Hall on West Main Street offer a glance of life as it was in the 18th and 19th centuries

The area's biggest draw is President Theodore Roosevelt's home, Sagamore Hill in Cove Neck, which served as the summer White House beginning in 1901. (The home is closed for rehabilitation, but the visitor center, museum and grounds are open.) Another popular attraction is the WaterFront Center, offering watercraft rentals, sailing lessons and marine environmental education.

Vintage buildings housing shops, eateries, pubs and offices, as well as a senior center and Town of Oyster Bay offices, make up the heart of the business district. Billy Joel's motorcycle collection, 20th Century Cycles, is here, too.

The downtown has received a face-lift -- a collaborative effort of volunteer community groups, including the Oyster Bay Main Street Association and government. "Our whole goal is to revitalize the downtown," says Meredith Maus, the association's executive director.

Homes styles, ages and property sizes are varied. Carol Gannon of Douglas Elliman Real Estate says many home buyers discover the hamlet during the annual Oyster Festival in October. "We always get a burst after the Oyster Festival," she says.

CO-OPS, CONDOS AND TOWN HOUSES 16 listings, $99,900 to $765,000

RENTALS start at about $1,300 a month, Gannon says.

SALES PRICES From Sept. 1, 2013, to Oct. 20, 2014, there were 50 sales with a median price of $547,500, according to Multiple Listing Service of Long Island data. The low price was $210,000 and the high was $1,699,999. From 2012 to 2013, during the same period, there were 52 sales. The median price was $531,750, with a low of $180,000 and a high of $1,200,000.

MORE OYSTER BAY STATS

Town: Oyster Bay

Area: 1.2 square miles

ZIP code: 11771

Population: 6,707

Median age: 45

Median household income: $82,528

Median home value: $571,500*

LIRR time to NYC: From Syosset, 44 minutes to 59 minutes at peak

Monthly ticket: $276

Best of Long Island - Support our Local Businesses, Organizations, & Service Providers!

The 10th Annual Bethpage Best of Long Island!

The voting period is now open.  Voting is permitted once a day until December 15th!

Vote to let everyone know all that the downtown of Oyster Bay has to offer! 

Nominees from Oyster Bay:

click on the links to vote!

            Arts & Entertainment

o   Annual Event/ Festival – Oyster Bay Oyster Festival, New York AutoFest

o   Celebrity Impersonator – James Foote/ Theodore Roosevelt

o   Museum – Sagamore Hill National Historic Site

o   Public Garden – Planting Fields Arboretum

Automotive

o   Foreign Auto Dealership – BMW of Oyster Bay

o   Long Island Collectible Car Club – New York AutoFest

o   Motorcycle Shop – 20^th Century Motorcycles

Education

o   Catholic School – St. Dominic College Prepatory High School

o   School Principal – Cecilia St. John, St. Dominic’s Elementary School

Health, Wellness & Beauty

o   Assisted Living - Harbor House; Oyster Bay Manor

o   Day Spa – Blue Water Spa

o   Skin Care – Blue Water Spa

Home & Garden

o   Appliance Store – Appliance World

o   Architect – Oyster Bay Drafting

o   Barbeque Store – Appliance World

o   Roofing Company – Oyster Bay Roofing

Nightlife & Spirits

o   Craft Beer Brewery – Oyster Bay Brewery

Services

o   Dry Cleaning Services – GreenSleeves Cleaners

o   Environmental Organization – Friends of the Bay

o   Gold Buyer – Coin Galleries of Oyster Bay

o   Republican – John Venditto

o   Taxi Service – Oyster Rides Taxi; Oyster Bay Limousine & Taxi

Shopping

o   Antique Store – The Attic Door

Sports & Activity

o   Recreation Center – Oyster Bay Community Center

o   Skate Shop – L-Industrie Long Boards

o   Water Sport Rental – The WaterFront Center

Weddings

o   Honey Moon Travel Planner - Cruise Planners; Oyster Bay Travel

OBMSA's Adopt-A-Spot Program Continues to Roll Out

Before and After photos of Berry Hill "Spot" adopted by the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Chamber of Commerce.
Photographs courtesy of the Oyster Bay Main Street Association

The Oyster Bay Main Street Association is pleased to announce that, through the generous support of Mill-Max Mfg. Corp and the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Chamber of Commerce, two additional locations in the downtown have been improved.  Since August of last year, three participants in the program have adopted and pledged to maintain three high visibility sites, which serve as the gateways to our downtown, including locations on West Shore Road, Cove Road and Berry Hill Road.  For more information about the West Shore Road improvement click here.

These sites, which had largely been ignored over the years, were a high priority for the Main Street Association.  On Cove Road and Berry Hill Road, specifically, the hand-carved “Welcome to Historic Oyster Bay” signs had both disappeared and been replaced with unsightly aluminum signs that did not match the tenor of the downtown.  With their adoption, the Chamber of Commerce and Mill-Max both purchased new welcome signs for their locations as well as new plantings, which will be maintained for two years by the adopters.  The Cove Road location is slated to have a sprinkler system installed with new plantings in the Spring.

Before and After photos of Cove Road "Spot" adopted by Mill-Max Mfg. Corp.  Complete plantings and an installation of a sprinkler system for the location will be completed in the Spring.
Photographs courtesy of the Oyster Bay Main Street Association 

About the Adopt-A-Spot Program

The Main Street Association’s Adopt-A-Spot program was designed to help enhance the overall appearance of the downtown.  The program invites community groups, downtown businesses, or professional landscapers who are interested in beautifying the downtown to adopt a spot for a minimum of two years.

How to get involved

If you are interested in adopting a spot or if you want to recommend a location for adoption, please contact Meredith Maus, Executive Director of the Oyster Bay Main Street Association, at 516.922.6982 or mamaus@oysterbaymainstreet.org for more information.

Before and after of West Shore Road "Spot" adopted by Forest Iron Works of Locust Valley.
For more information about this Adopt-A-Spot click here.
Photographs courtesy of the Oyster Bay Main Street Association