A familiar face is setting up shop at a quaint Southold farm stand.
Jess Dunne, a founder of North Fork Roasting Co., is partnering with family to bring North Fork Provisions to the Main Bayview Road stand that was previously open as Morning Sun Shop.
“We’re gonna do sort of a curiosity shop,” Dunne said of the business, which borrows its name from the local grocery delivery business run by her business partner and mother-in-law Candice Schott. “You can get anything you need for your weekend on the North Fork.”
Organic produce sold at the shop will be grown by Jamesport Farmstead. Dunne, a noted chef and baker who was once a finalist on “Chopped,” will be selling prepared meals out of the farm stand.
“I wanted to get back out into the community,” she said. “I want to create.”
Schott, who recently moved to Main Bayview Road, said when she saw the sign go up that the farm stand, which is located at Dart’s Tree Farm, was for lease, she immediately reached out to Dunne.
“Her mom texted her too,” she said.
For the duo, it was a perfect location to set up shop.
“We know so many people out here and Jess obviously with [her career] has a lot of industry contacts. So it was pretty easy to put it together.”
The plan is to open on Friday, May 21.
The shop will also sell local oysters, snails from Peconic Escargot, baked goods, coffee and more. They will also look to carry summer dresses and accessories, including quick items you might want to pick up on the way to the beach.
They also will have picnic tables outside, so people can stop and stay awhile. There’s also a plan to book some live music.
“I want people to be able to sit with a pastry and a cold brew and just hang out if they want,” Dunne said.
They intend to stay open through the holiday season to maintain a presence during Dart’s busy season. Dunne said she’d like to sell fresh homemade doughnuts and other seasonally appropriate items as it gets into the later months.
She hopes the business will attract visitors to the North Fork and part-time residents looking to pick up some items as they head out for the weekend, or locals who want to pick something up quick without having to head into town.
For Schott, the business venture is also a great excuse to spend some more time with her baby granddaughter, Nova Rae.
“It’s family. You know?” she said. “To do this with her and the baby, we’re super excited.”
The stand will briefly be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday to Monday May 21 through Memorial Day, and then seven days a week after that.
