County Executive Steve Bellone Extolls Extended Hamptons Season - 27 East

County Executive Steve Bellone Extolls Extended Hamptons Season

icon 5 Photos
Discover Long Island President and CEO Kristen Jarnagin.

Discover Long Island President and CEO Kristen Jarnagin.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone speaks at the Capri Hotel in Southampton on Thursday afternoon.  DANA SHAW

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone speaks at the Capri Hotel in Southampton on Thursday afternoon. DANA SHAW

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone speaks at the Capri Hotel in Southampton on Thursday afternoon.  DANA SHAW

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone speaks at the Capri Hotel in Southampton on Thursday afternoon. DANA SHAW

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and Discover Long Island President and CEO Kristen Jarnagin speak at the Capri Holtel in Southamtpon on Thursday afternoon. DANA SHAW

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and Discover Long Island President and CEO Kristen Jarnagin speak at the Capri Holtel in Southamtpon on Thursday afternoon. DANA SHAW

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and Discover Long Island President, CEO Kristen Jarnagin and Michael Pitsinos, owner, NAIA Hamptons.   DANA SHAW

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and Discover Long Island President, CEO Kristen Jarnagin and Michael Pitsinos, owner, NAIA Hamptons. DANA SHAW

Kitty Merrill on Aug 27, 2020

Taking part of a lyric from the classic Eagles song, “Hotel California,” Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone quipped, “You can check in, but … we want you to stay.”

The county executive was in Southampton on Thursday, August 27, to discuss the booming tourism industry in the Hamptons and the hope that it would be extended beyond the summer.

The coronavirus pandemic this spring prompted an exodus from Manhattan, with the Twin Forks seeing many second-home owners flocking to their summer houses in March and April.

Speaking from the poolside patio at the Capri Southampton Hotel NAIA Hamptons restaurant, Mr. Bellone reported that, with the swell of visitors continuing unabated, many had decided to extend their stays into the fall and winter.

Capri owner Michael Pitsinos told reporters the hotel has been sold out every weekend “since Day 1” and is sold out for September and October as well. The site is having its best year of the past decade, he said.

Residents fleeing the city came east because, “it’s a safe environment.” Mr. Pitsinos theorized.

Kristen Jarnagin, president and CEO of the tourism promotion agency Discover Long Island, affirmed Manhattanites who came out for the summer are becoming “temporary, indefinite residents of Long Island.”

“They might just stay all year round and we would welcome that,” she said.

Tourism is a $6.1 billion industry on Long Island, Ms. Jarnagin said. Extending the season into the fall and winter would be a means of salvaging the losses experienced during the spring’s COVID-19 shutdown.

Home rentals are up 98 percent, she said. When it comes to hotels, she advised, “if you want to come out, book your room right now.”

Many businesses that typically close their doors after Labor Day are staying open longer to serve fall and winter visitors, she said.

“I don’t think any of us want to give up on New York City,” said Jean Shafiroff, an erstwhile summer visitor, now temporarily a full-time resident. “I’m certainly not giving up my home.”

Still, she said she and her family have relocated and decided to ride the pandemic out in the family’s second home. They’ve spent summers and weekends here since 1996.

Mr. Bellone pointed out that the tourism industry has been the hardest hit due to COVID-19, particularly on the East End, where many businesses make their entire year’s livelihood from Memorial Day to Labor Day. But, the locals know the “secret,” he said, lauding the beauty of the region during the fall.

“I know what an iconic place this is,” he said.

The numbers of people seeking refuge on the East End in the spring was, he said, “something people weren’t necessarily prepared for.” He assured local hospitals and schools have adjusted to the increased population.

The county executive reiterated a belief he’s held throughout the pandemic. He knew all along the pandemic was, in addition to a public health crisis, an economic crisis. The question was, could Hamptons businesses survive in a season that’s even shorter than normal?

As the days wind down to Labor Day, normally people begin to head back to New York, Mr. Bellone said. But this year, as officials continue to fight COVID-19, “many are looking to stay.”

That desire fuels opportunity for local businesses, many of which may be able to recoup their losses, the county executive predicted. Additionally, Mr. Bellone pointed out that an extended season, plus out-of-state travel restrictions, also provide opportunities for all Suffolk County residents to enjoy a “staycation,” and spend their dollars locally.

Acknowledging the economic impact early on, the county created a Business Recovery Unit and has reached out to area businesses to help provide Personal Protective Equipment, and connect businesses with local manufacturers that make masks, gloves, and the like, “and keep the dollars in this region,” Mr. Bellone said.

The BRU has also posted a job board to help connect employers with potential employees.

Mr. Pitsinos praised lawmakers for their support of businesses. Otherwise, he said, “the forecast for the Hamptons would be much more bleak.” Pulling an oft-voiced slogan from Governor Andrew Cuomo, he said, “We are New York tough. We are Suffolk County tough, and we’re Hamptons tough.” He said the Capri will be open for the winter for the first time this year.

Glen Vickers, president and CEO of Discover the Hamptons, said that during the fall, there’s still so much going on in the Hamptons.

“Your commerce is needed,” he said. “We are open. We are safe.”

You May Also Like:

April Express Sessions Will Focus on Pros and Cons of Historic District Expansion in Southampton Village

The delicate push and pull between preservation and property rights is familiar to many East End homeowners, as well as local government officials, and it’s an issue that’s been a particular flashpoint in Southampton Village recently. An analysis of a proposed historic district expansion in Southampton Village will be the topic of discussion for the next Express Sessions panel discussion, set for Thursday, April 10, from noon until 2 p.m. at Union Burger Bar at 40 Bowden Square in Southampton Village. The village received a $40,000 Certified Local Government Historic Preservation Grant from the state last fall to study the ... 2 Apr 2025 by Cailin Riley

Killer Bees Present and Past Will Support Hampton Library Revitalization Effort in Charity Alumni Game Friday Night

UPDATE: Bridgehampton School Superintendent Dr. Mary T. Kelly announced on Thursday that the “Bees for ... 1 Apr 2025 by Cailin Riley

Black Girl Magic On Display at Southampton African American Museum

Four years ago, London Bess came to Natasha Jeffries with an idea. She wanted to ... 29 Mar 2025 by Cailin Riley

Southampton Village Announces Temporary Beach Closure

Old Town Beach and Gin Lane Beach in Southampton Village will be closed from Saturday, March 29, through Monday, March 31, due to drainage of both Old Town Pond and Lake Agawam. 27 Mar 2025 by Staff Writer

Couple Will Walk 80 Miles of Beaches Carrying Colon Cancer Awareness on Their Shoulders

Brian Crowe wanted to swim across Moriches and Shinnecock inlets on his way to Montauk, ... 26 Mar 2025 by Michael Wright

PHOTOS: Hampton Bays St. Patrick's Day Parade Comes Roaring Back

The weather came out like a lamb, but the Hampton Bays St. Patrick’s Day Parade ... 24 Mar 2025 by Staff Writer

Quogue Wildlife Refuge Announces Campaign To Update Nature Center

The Quogue Wildlife Refuge is about to get a long-awaited upgrade. Earlier this month, the ... by Cailin Riley

Express News Group Wins Prestigious Awards at State Contest

For the second time in three years, The Express News Group took home more awards ... 23 Mar 2025 by Staff Writer

A Long-Awaited Revitalization for Moses Park

For years, Moses Park — tucked away on the quiet Moses Lane, north of Hill ... 18 Mar 2025 by Cailin Riley

Southampton Firefighters Honored

The Southampton Village Board presented members of the Southampton Fire Department with a proclamation on ... by Staff Writer