Express News Group To Host Express Sessions Panel Discussion in Westhampton Beach

The Express News Group will return to Westhampton Beach next Thursday, January 26, for the latest in its Express Sessions panel discussion series, “Three Years in Westhampton Beach — How To Remake a Main Street.”

The discussion seeks to shine a light on the dramatic transformation of the village over the past several years, from its overarching redesign of the village’s Main Street business district, to a recently completed sewer district project that will guarantee future growth in Westhampton Beach.

The panel will explore how officials accomplished a goal that had been discussed for years, but for which consensus on how to move forward was difficult to reach. Additionally, business owners on the panel will talk about how they weathered the storm while the projects were underway, and the response they are getting from patrons enjoying a seemingly brand new village business district.

Both officials and the business owners will be asked about the future, how they see the village continuing to grow and transform not that the projects are complete, and what they believe the next step will be.

Panelists will include Mayor Maria Moore, Deputy Mayor Ralph Urban, Building and Zoning Administrator Brad Hammond, Brunetti’s Pizza owner Michael Brunetti and Lillian’s Hair Salon Owner Lillian Schon. The discussion will be moderated by Express News Group Executive Editor Joseph P. Shaw.

The last time the Express News Group hosted a Sessions event in Westhampton Beach was in November 2019, while the Main Street revitalization project was underway, and the village was preparing for the sewer project.

“We’re excited to back in Westhampton Beach with our Express Sessions series, and really looking forward to having this important discussion,” Express News Group Publisher Gavin Menu said. “The last time we had an event in Westhampton was pre-pandemic and the Main Street project was still in its infancy. What a difference a few years has made.”

The discussion is part of a three-part event series, “The Future Is Now,” exploring how South Fork villages are moving forward in a changing world. The first of the series, “Can Southampton Village Build on Its Arts and Cultural Heritage,” was held on January 12. The third part of the series, “Can Tradition and innovation Coexist in East Hampton Village,” will be held on February 9 at noon at Rowdy Hall.

The event will be held from noon to 2 p.m. on January 26 at Buoy One in Westhampton. Tickets, including lunch, are $40 for subscribers and $45 for non-subscribers. Check in will begin at 11:30 a.m. For tickets, visit: eventbrite.com/e/three-years-in-westhampton-beach-how-to-remake-a-main-street-tickets-502651693747.