Local dentists take note: Kids and adults alike are flocking to a new spot in Bridgehampton, Sundaes on Main, a fill-your-own-bag, top-your-own-cup frozen yogurt and candy shop where the sweet tooth business has been booming since July.
The proprietor of the cheerfully adorned shop, Jeanie Strong of East Hampton, likes "being busy and always having something to put my energy into." Plus, she said, frozen yogurt and ice cream can fix up a bad day real quick.
"Our family loves small-run sweet shops when we're on vacation," she said when asked about her inspiration for opening Sundaes on Main. They "always thought having one in the Hamptons would be a great fit."
Distinct enough from the community mainstay Candy Kitchen, whose dessert niche is homemade ice cream, malts, and floats, Sundaes on Main will be open year-round, though Ms. Strong said she "may need to close a few days a week, depending on how things go." The store will reopen today after a two-day break intended to help Ms. Strong and her enthusiastic employees catch their breath after the steady summertime crush of customers, which she said was a pleasant surprise. The shop already has regulars!
There are 15 rotating flavors, such as Coastal Cookie -- basically a cookies-and-cream concoction, it's currently the best-seller -- along with Amagansett Apple Pie, Southampton Salted Caramel, and Tuckahoe Tart. Traditional vanilla and chocolate are in the lineup, as are dairy-free and vegan options, and there are toppings galore. Is your mouth watering yet? Ms. Strong highly recommends the homemade marshmallow whipped cream.
Plus, there's a whole other room full of self-serve candy dispensers, sold by weight, and shelf upon shelf of goodies with names like Slime Lickers and AfterShocks, along with international treats like Pocky and Australian licorice. The store also stocks retro stuff like Bazooka Joe bubblegum, Pop Rocks, buckets of cotton candy, and those little wax soda bottles filled with sweet goo.
Ms. Strong said she particularly loves placing the candy order. "There are so many to choose from and I really enjoy researching it all and taking suggestions from customers to see what would fit best in the store," she said.
Several benches outside the shop make it a nice place to hang out and people-watch. Plus, it's open late-ish -- currently the hours are noon to 10 p.m. -- so an argument could be made that it qualifies as "nightlife." A good time to stop in is between 5 and 6 p.m. while everyone else is having dinner like a normal human being.
"The best part about the store is, without a doubt, the customers," Ms. Strong said. "I love being on the floor, meeting everyone who comes into the shop and really getting to know them. I want the store to not only be sweet and delicious but also a friendly and fun experience for everyone who visits."
