One of the delights of summer is taking a meandering tour of Shelter Island and visiting the seasonal roadside stops along the way. From fresh vegetables, flowers, shellfish and plants, to jewelry and apparel, and even wine, Shelter Island abounds with roadside treasures.
Here are some from our Island Directory on a tour that begins and ends with oysters.
Start in the Town Center at the Peeko Barn, 58 North Ferry Road, where a sign at the end of the driveway points you to the shop. Pick up fresh Peeko oysters harvested daily in Little Peconic Bay on Long Island’s pastoral North Fork. With deep-cupped bottom shells that build incredible flavor, Peekos begin with a gentle punch of freshness and end with a sweet finish. They’re perfect for dinner parties and small gatherings, or to bring along when you’re a guest and don’t want to show up empty-handed. “Turning water into brine” is the company motto, so be sure to grab a T-shirt with the slogan when picking up your order.
A few doors to the north is the festive roadside stand for Island Time Farm, 62 North Ferry Road, painted in an eye-catching shade of green. Often, it’s engulfed in festive bouquets of farm grown flowers or piled high with freshly-picked produce. Join the flower CSA (425-879-6939) to receive weekly fresh-picked bouquets. Use them to adorn your home throughout the season, or give as gifts. A little later in the season, watch for TOMA-TOES (not a specialty brand, just how the lettering worked out on the charming hand-painted sign) and other seasonal veggies for your summer feast.
Continue north along 114 and make a right at the corner onto Manwaring Road where you’ll find the White Oak Wine Garden. Yep, a wine stand, in a rustic board and batten structure on the grounds of White Oak Farm & Gardens nursery. Pop in for a tasting of local boutique wines including the farm’s own private label wine. White Oak Wine is a laid back, elegant rosé made by Winemaker Tom Spotteck of Lenz Winery in partnership with Kristian Clark. Along with other local wines, White Oak offers Big Mamma’s pies (readers may remembers when the stand was a pie shop). You can also explore the garden selections while you imbibe. Open Friday to Sunday.
Head down Manwaring Road to number 21, where you’ll find the Sylvester Manor Farmstand, a rustic structure made with lumber from from lightning struck trees on the 235-acre property. Pick up fresh produce, flowers, eggs, and dairy, and locally-sourced artisanal products. There’s also a freezer full of farm-grown pork and flats of seedlings you can plant in your own garden. It’s not too late to purchase a farm credit that you can apply to purchases all season long and support the nonprofit’s efforts to preserve, cultivate and share the historic property.
Continue along Manwaring to the traffic circle and take the first right onto St. Mary’s Road. In the yard at number 16 is the Kanela Handmade pop-up boutique in a sunny “she-shed” that sports a festive tropical awning. Owner Karen Springer carries Colombian and Costa Rican hand-crafted, fair trade arts, fashion and accessories. Find the perfect summer outfit for the beach or an evening out, plus ponchos, scarfs, jewelry and beauty essentials. For gift givers and decor shoppers there’s nature inspired crafts like painted resin beach art, paintings and more.
From St. Mary’s Road, take East Thomas Street back to Route 114 and cross over to West Thomas. Make a right at Midway and, at the end, a left onto West Neck Road. Three doors down on the left at number 5 is Mimi Page’s Jewelry Studio in her shiny silver Airstream Argozy, also known as Go-Go. While the converted trailer is part of the shopping experience, Mimi’s jewelry is the main attraction. All the pieces are handmade of hand-cut sterling silver. Many feature wrapped sea glass and beach stones sourced right here on Shelter Island. Mimi says her inspiration comes from “everywhere and anywhere — a stone on the beach, an architectural detail and from just pushing materials around on my bench.” Stop by weekends 11 AM to 3 PM or call for an appointment 631-935-3134.
Just a stone’s throw from the studio, continue west until the four-way stop and make a left onto North Menantic Road. On the grounds of Grady Riley Farm and Gardens you’ll see the red umbrella at the self-serve kiosk of the Southold Bay Oyster Company. In the self0-serve cooler find Southold Shindigs, native to the eastern seaboard that are grown in deep water in the center of Southold Bay. Their taste profile begins with a burst of brininess that quickly transitions to a smooth vignette with a hint of sweetness and mineral finish. Grab a baker’s dozen for $15 any Friday to Sunday during the summer while supplies last.
