The Charm of Main Street: Five Long Island Towns

Quaint, historic villages with walkable downtowns and a strong sense of place dot Long Island, and a recent focus on revitalization has made them more appealing than ever. “Many people want to live in a community with a walkable downtown area,” says Eric Alexander, executive director of Vision Long Island, a nonprofit organization focused on smart growth. “The center serves as a gathering place where people can get out of their car, walk safely, and interact. You experience the world a little differently when you get out of the bubble of your vehicle and walk around.” There are close to 40 Long Island communities with a true town center, according to Alexander. Here’s a look at what’s happening in five standouts. Patchogue Patchogue’s $500 million revitalization began in 2004 with an 80-unit townhouse development near its center, and several multifamily housing developments followed. Most notably, the New Village at Patchogue opened in 2014, adding 291 rental units, plus retail and office space, and contributing significantly to the renaissance of the once-blighted downtown. “Adding multifamily housing is the best way to revitalize your downtown,” says Mayor Paul Pontieri. “It puts feet on the street.” About 25 restaurants have opened their doors in recent years, investing significantly in their buildings and culinary offerings and, in many cases, adding live music to the mix. On Thursday evenings in the summer, downtown is closed to traffic for “Alive After Five,” which features outdoor dining, music, and vendors. Patchogue’s Blue Point Brewing Company, a craft brewery purchased by Anheuser Busch in 2014, is building a new brewery, tasting room, restaurant, and beer garden on the shuttered Briarcliffe College campus. Other downtown highlights include the refurbished Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts, a 1923 landmark that stood vacant when the village took ownership in 1998. Rockville Centre Rockville Centre is the restaurant capital of Long Island. “We have over 100 restaurants, and they’re of every kind: Thai, Greek, Indian, Italian, Mexican, gastropubs, raw bars, burger places,” Mayor Francis X. Murray says, noting that the village encouraged the growing trend several years ago by making parking free after 6 p.m. “The sidewalks are crowded,” Murray says. “It’s like a mini-Manhattan.” Murray was born in the village and never left. “I have seen it evolve into the walkable, all-inclusive community it is today,” he says. Over the past decade, apartment and condo complexes have been added near the center to complement the village’s plentiful single-family homes, offering more housing options for millennials and downsizing seniors. The new developments are within walking distance of the Long Island Rail Road station, from which Manhattan is a 37-minute express commute. The village continuously invests in infrastructure. In recent years, a $10 million streetscaping project has added decorative lighting and plantings and refurbished sidewalks. The village’s 15 ballfields have been renovated as well. “Millennials love it here,” Murray says. “They want to be able to walk to the train, they love to go to restaurants, and they love to go to parks.” Port Jefferson A ship-building hub in the 19th century, Port Jefferson today is a destination for day-trippers and weekenders. Some arrive from Connecticut by ferry, which docks in the deep harbor at the entry to the hilly, bustling North Shore community. In early December, costumed characters roam the picturesque streets of the village center as the annual Charles Dickens Festival plays out with themed activities and performances at a variety of venues, including a production of A Christmas Carol at TheatreThree, a performing arts center. Danfords Hotel, Marina & Spa—a luxury property on the harbor—recently upgraded and expanded its outdoor restaurant, guest rooms, and 100-plus- boat marina. More than a decade ago, the village’s waterfront was revitalized with the development of Jeanne Garant Harborfront Park, on the site of a former shipyard and Mobil Oil terminal; a Village Center, which offers recreational and educational programs; a skating rink; and a promenade along the shoreline. Now, Port Jeff is setting its sights on revitalizing its southern gateway, about a mile from the harbor. The village received $800,000 in state and county grants to make infrastructure and aesthetic improvements in the area around the Long Island Rail Road station. Babylon Water lovers are drawn to Babylon Village on the Great South Bay, where boating is a major part of the culture. “We take great pride in the number of boat berths—440—owned by the village,” says Mayor Ralph Scordino. “Having such great access to the bay and the Fire Island Inlet provides a tremendous hobby for our residents who love fishing, power-boating, and sailing.” Babylon’s pretty downtown along Montauk Highway includes 25-acre Argyle Lake, featuring waterfalls that provide the backdrop for many wedding photos. The ArgyleTheatre, a performing arts center with professional productions of Broadway shows, opened on Main Street this spring following a $3 million renovation. The historic theater, which went through many incarnations since first opening in 1922, had been closed for the past four years. “It’s a destination for our residents, who can walk to the theater from any home in the village and have a meal at 30-plus restaurants before or after the show,” says Scordino, a lifelong resident who remembers going to the theater when a movie cost 25¢. Northport A waterfront park at the end of Northport’s Main Street plays host to concerts in the summer, arts festivals, and an annual Christmas-tree-lighting ceremony, during which Santa arrives on a firetruck. The North Shore, New England–style village invites strolling, for both people and their four-legged friends; some of the quaint shops put dog treats on the sidewalk or prominently display “Dogs Welcome” signs. A day in the village might start with coffee and pastries overlooking the harbor at Copenhagen Bakery and end with a drink at Sand City Brewing Co. or The Wine Cellar on Main. In the warm months, many of the dozen-plus restaurants offer sidewalk dining, and pleasure boaters tie up on the village dock to join in the fun. An artistic enclave, Northport features galleries along Main Street, as well as professional performances of Broadway shows at the JohnW. EngemanTheater, across from which developers are seeking approval to build an inn with about two dozen guest rooms. “Northport is a little off the beaten path. It’s a destination,” says Alexander, who lives and works in the village. “Public waterfront access adds to the experience.” Find your place on Long Island.