Who We Are
The Winter Shops program was an initiative born out of The Anchor Society, a local East Hampton nonprofit dedicated to promoting commerce that serves the community.
In 2026, the committee that developed the concept for Winter Shops and managed the program formally separated from The Anchor Society to form a new independent nonprofit, which is known as the Winter Shops Alliance.
The new organization will pursue a broader community development mission while continuing to steward the signature Winter Shops program.
The goal of the Winter Shops program is to solve a local problem. More than 40% of stores close in East Hampton Village when the weather gets cold. But it doesn’t have to be this way!
We aim to use the program to revitalize the village during the off-season by filling empty or underutilized storefronts with local and independent small business pop-ups.
The Winter Shops 2025 program has significantly expanded its presence from a single pop-up store to four new business entrepreneurs taking up temporary residence in East Hampton Village during the upcoming off-season.
Thank you to Alice+Olivia @ 79 Main St for hosting Our Fabulous Variety Show, offering dance and theater instruction for all ages, and SewHampton, offering private or group sewing classes and basic alterations.
Thank you to Gathering Marketplace @ 82 Park Pl for hosting Naturally Good, offering organic prepared foods to grab-and-go, and Hedges Lane, offering tabletop, home goods, and seasonal paper party supplies.
How It Works
Candidates were selected to match best with the qualitative research feedback we received from residents on what kinds of interesting goods, food, and services they were seeking in the village.
Both the master leaseholder and these entrepreneurs are matched by the Winter Shop team. Mutual benefits for all:
Master leaseholder supports our community development while closed during offseason and receives rent/utilities payment
Entrepreneurs receives reduced rents, prestigious village storefronts and opportunity to launch and/or grow their small businesses
The town is revitalized with interesting, new village offerings, increasing foot traffic during the slower season and providing opportunities to connect with neighbors
Interested in being a Winter Shops tenant?
If you are a small business entrepreneur looking to participate, learn more by clicking on APPLY button below or inquire via email to speak with someone from our team.
Interested in being paid to host a Winter Shop?
If you are a landlord or master tenant in East Hampton Village, please learn more by clicking on HOST button below or reach out to our team directly via email to speak about our roster of vetted small business tenants.