Think Long Island Store Opens in Oyster Bay, Oct 7

September 26, 2010, Oyster Bay, NY – Two local Long Islanders will be launching Think Long Island First, a company dedicated to promoting goods made on Long Island, October 7 at the Grand Opening of its first storefront. Born from a deeply-felt desire to support local artisans, Think Long Island First will carry various products such as wood-turned objects, pottery, photography, stationary, metal sculpture, cosmetics, jewelry, knits, honey, jam and jellies – all crafted within the area. The store will be located inside Buckingham Variety Store at 36 Audrey Avenue in historic Oyster Bay.

The launch also follows part of a larger national trend to support local economies for reasons of local sustainability, transparency and greater social responsibility. The long-term goal of the company is to become a catalyst in the development of cottage industries on Long Island.

“We are thrilled to open our doors to the public next week. Think Long Island First will give residents and visitors to the area a great opportunity to enjoy and support the talented artists and craftsmen here on Long Island who just happen to be their neighbors,” said Ewa Rumprecht, who along with her partner Jolanta Zamecka, will both be at the event and available for interviews.

Artist wood turner Harry Wicks from Cutchogue, NY, will be at the Grand Opening of the store to represent the many artists whose wares will be sold there. He executes decorative and utilitarian wood objects - bowls, plates, vases, etc., mostly from Long Island wood.

The company founders started Think Long Island First with clear goals in mind:

• Address green, environmental concerns
  Transportation of goods takes an enormous toll on the environment. Think Long Island First removes the long distance delivery of goods from the product life cycle. Ewa and Jolanta believe that Long Islanders should not only enjoy fresh fruit and vegetables grown on the fertile soil of the East End, but should also be able to dress in clothes made by their neighbors or decorate their homes with wares made within a short driving distance.
  
• Enable guilt-free shopping
  Considering that slave and child labor still exist in many parts of the world, there is a need for a greater transparency in the production of goods. This can only be assured by maintaining close contacts with the manufacturers in one's own backyard. Think Long Island First removes the barrier of anonymity and non-accountability and presents makers to the consumers together with their products by publishing information about the makers on its website, by holding “Meet the Maker” events at the store and by organizing tours of workshops.
  
• Promote sustainable Long Island
  Goods made locally and sold locally contribute to the economy of Long Island. Artists and craftsmen who are able to support themselves within their community can continue to develop their skills and create a wider range of products. Purchasing local goods
  promotes the sustainability of arts and crafts on Long Island.

Ewa Rumprecht, a musicologist by education, has years of experience as a programmer and an IT and localization manager in technology industry. Her latest, very rewarding involvement was with Smile Train, the charity helping children in poor countries obtain free cleft lip and palate surgery. She lives in Oyster Bay with three cats.

Jolanta Zamecka is a trained psychologist. Her career has followed many paths – psychology, stock brokerage, museum consulting, preservation advocacy and retail. She currently serves on the boards of Chamber Players International and the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County. She also manages her husband Edward's busy medical practice, Z Medical Care. Jolanta is a long-time Oyster Bay resident.

For more information, please visit http://www.thinklongislandfirst.com/ .

ABOUT THINK LONG ISLAND FIRST
Think Long Island First is dedicated to promoting goods made on Long Island by local artists and craftsmen. By selling things made locally, Think Long Island First lowers the environmental footprint by removing the long distance delivery of products. The company also lifts the barrier of anonymity and non-accountability by introducing to the general public not only the local products but also their makers.

Media Contact:
Ewa Rumprecht, President
Think Long Island First
516.584.3155
ewa@thinklongislandfirst.com