Westhampton Chamber Organizes Bingo Shopping Event

The Greater Westhampton Chamber of Commerce is injecting even more excitement into shopping local this holiday season.

The organization’s holiday bingo contest challenges participants to fill out their bingo cards by collecting receipts from participating merchants.

“We were looking for an innovative way to promote our members and create a fun shopping experience,” said the chamber’s president, Marlene Brill. “Bingo is a reminder to our neighbors that we have small businesses in our community … and we are so excited that so many members have decided to participate.”

To play, contestants can pick up a bingo card at any participating establishment or at the Chamber of Commerce office at 7 Glovers Lane in Westhampton Beach.

Players win bingo by collecting receipts from five merchants listed horizontally, vertically or diagonally, or from all four corners of the game board. Receipts must total $150.

Players need to turn in their cards with at least one completed bingo to the chamber office — open Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — by December 24 to earn a complimentary gift.

Prizes for bingo winners include gift cards and merchandise from participating businesses. Full card entries will be placed in a separate grand raffle for a larger prize.

“As a business owner of two small businesses in Westhampton Beach, I loved the idea,” said Eileen Baumeister McIntyre, owner of Garden of Silver and Art Studio Hamptons. “Westhampton Beach, I think, has the most mom-and-pop small businesses in the Hamptons, and it is important to the character of the town to promote us all. The small businesses that remain open throughout the year really need all the support and publicity we can get.”

Garden of Silver, a bingo challenge participant, is a boutique focused on one-of-a-kind, handmade silver, gold, diamonds and gemstone jewelry created mostly by Baumeister McIntyre herself in the studio behind her shop. She also represents American jewelry designer friends.

“My fine artwork and leather and silk accessories with my art on them are also available at the boutique,” she said.

Art Studio Hamptons is her school and gallery that offers both fine and digital art instruction for children, teens and adults, and also boasts an extensive summer art camp schedule.

Christian Migliara, manager of Westhampton Beach Brewing Company in the Hamptons Business Park at Francis S. Gabreski Airport, which is co-owned by a chamber board member, Brian Sckipp, said he thought it was a great idea to support area businesses in the wintertime, when local shopping slows down.

“We are always down to be part of any cool idea that might bring a few new or extra people into the brewery this time of the year,” Migliara said. “As a local business, we try to be part of things that other local businesses are connected with. We also try to plan out events that can possibly team up one or more local business to reach new customers and friends.”

He said he thinks his brewery is definitely one to hit on the bingo board. “We have a beautiful spot here,” Migliara said. “At first, it may look very industrial as you enter the complex, but as soon as you get through our doors, we make it a welcoming vibe. And, to top it off, we went all out decorating for the holiday season, with lights galore.”

The brewery boasts multiple beers on tap, including the seasonal Winter Cran-Beary, a Belgian-style pale ale made with fresh varietal cranberry honey.

Other participating businesses include 103 Bambinos Pizzeria, Brunetti Pizza & Wine Bar, Buoy One, Caffeine, Chic, Fauna, Flora, Good Westhampton, High End Hippie, Impulse for Men, John’s Pools & Spas, Lillian’s Hair Salon & Spa, Lynne’s Cards & Gifts, Mint, Mixology, Pawcasso, Red Jacket Books, Salt & Loft, Sydney’s Taylor Made Cuisine, TOLA Westhampton, Tweed, Wetter or Not and Xanadu.

Shannon Lupis, the owner of Tweed, said she hopes residents will come out to see the recently revamped Main Street.

“Main Street in the village of Westhampton Beach has gone through a major renovation,” she said. “It’s a beautiful town to walk around, with easy access to stores of all kinds, as well as many restaurants, and there’s many events throughout the year for people to enjoy. It’s a great place to be, and this event encourages customers to shop some stores that they normally wouldn’t go into.”

The bingo event is part of the town’s Winterfest activities. A seasonal market will be held every Saturday at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on Main Street from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. December 10 through April 29 of next year. Similar to a traditional farmers’ market, there will be food and non-food vendors, growers, producers and makers providing locally-grown, caught, homemade and handmade items.

Other activities throughout a day of holiday celebration on December 10 include a sip-and-shop, buggy rides on Main Street, a Hanukkah menorah and Christmas tree lighting, and a visit by Santa, all followed by a party at Salt & Loft.

More information and times for these events will be added to the chamber’s website, westhamptonchamber.org, as it becomes available.