The hamlet of Eastport is a hidden treasure with its natural beauty and historical architecture reminiscent of Cape Cod. This local, small-town charm inspired entrepreneur Amber Otto to open up what she felt the community needed: a general store, or as Otto refers to it, a “new-timey” market. “I couldn’t decide what kind of store to open,” recounts Otto, “so I was like, it’ll just be everything.”
With a background in retail, interior design and construction project management, Otto opened Eastport General Store in October 2020 to provide a neighborhood one-stop shopping experience focusing on local, handmade and artisan products supplied by other small businesses. Within the light-filled space, the store offers a curated collection of essentials for everyday life with a modern appeal— from housewares and provisions like local eggs, cheese and pantry staples to freshly-baked scones that complement the specialty coffee menu.
Eastport General Store offers curated goods for the home, as well as unique paintings from local artists.
The store also carries bar soaps from Southampton Soap Company, which has been creating handmade soaps for more than 20 years using ocean water, locally grown botanicals and the finest vegan ingredients. Their soaps are made in kettle batches and then poured and cut by hand.
Unlike other general stores, Otto’s is stocked with unique essentials, along with pantry items and housewares.
Eastport General Store offers a refill station with a wide range of sustainable and natural personal care products and cleaning supplies.
Organic coffee, fresh scones and fresh flowers from Ocean Fog Farm are part of the grab-and-go selections.
Amber Otto, owner of Eastport General Store.
“It’s a small business that supports other small businesses,” Otto claims, describing the store’s ethos. “We try to source as much as possible locally from independent, as well as women- and minority-owned brands.”
Conservation is equally vital to Otto, evident in the store’s sustainable refill station of bulk household, bath and body products. “We offer pre-filled starter bottles, or customers can bring empty containers from home to fill and refill repeatedly,” explains Otto. The biodegradable, plant-based line is not only tested in-house and approved for efficiency, but also available in soothing aromas of hand-blended, natural essential oils. Speaking about the aromatherapy fragrance profiles, Otto enthuses, “I love the laundry detergent scented with rosemary and peppermint,” says says. “It makes your whole laundry room smell like mint.” Indeed, according to Otto, “If you’re going to do laundry, it may as well be pleasant.”
Mornings at Eastport General Store epitomize the community embrace, where locals frequently drop in for organic coffee (sourced from Deep Roots Roasting in Center Moriches), and the customers’ favorite fresh scones delivered daily. “We’ve offered these scones from local bakers, Sweet and Savoured, since day one,” says Otto. “They are more cake-like and flavorful than a dry, crumbly scone.”
With frequent weekend workshops and pop-ups with potential and existing vendors, Otto strives to bring the community what it needs, which is what the general store concept is about. “It’s always evolving,” she reiterates. “That’s what’s nice about having a community-based store. We can adapt to whatever is needed and keep it fresh and interesting.”