Long Island’s hidden shops

Come for the cut-and-color, stay for the vintage finds. For Karen Lewis, 67, a retired speech and language pathologist who lives in Fort Salonga and Naples, Florida, that’s the ritual at Bocu Salon and Spa in Commack.

Lewis’ latest post-coif addition to her closet is a mint-condition $425 vintage straw bag from the 1950s. “It’s very detailed with a beautiful bracelet-like clasp,” she says. “I just had to have it. It’s one-of-a-kind.”

The salon, along with hair care, facials, massages and manicures, features a 4-year-old consignment shop, Bocutique, inside. It’s an added extra that’s hiding in plain sight.

Maria Polsinelli has run Bocu Salon and Spa for 37 years. The presence of Bocutique makes appointments an experience. “For new clients, it’s a nice surprise,” she says.

For longtimers, too. “Every time I go in, I do a double-take,” says Lewis. “They’re always changing the merchandise. I make sure I have time before and after my appointment.”

It turns out that there are other hopping destinations tucked inside Long Island stores, some within locations you might not expect. If you’re craving sweet honey, energizing crystals, pet-safe houseplants or a dress for a wedding, here’s where to go. 

Pet safe houseplants at Barkfield Road

Since 2022, Barkfield Road in East Northport has specialized in organic dog foods and healthy treats, as well as custom cakes for pet birthdays and “gotcha” celebrations.

This summer, the shop branched out. Co-owners Kevin and Gabriela Neglia added a carefully curated plant department with items safe for pets.

“We launched at the beginning of June,” says Kevin, 30, adding that he and his wife have two dogs of their own and love plants and gardening. “It’s a bit unique.”

Ruby and watermelon peperomia are two of the store’s plant options. Prices start around $13.99. It’s a timely addition. Houseplant interest has bloomed since the pandemic, particularly among millennials. The owners acknowledge the plants, a special feature of the shop, are hiding in plain sight. They are interspersed with other store items. You’ll find some plants in the windows, while others hang in baskets.

Salon and gems at Bewitched Beauty Bar 

Melissa Oakley, 30, has been styling hair for over a decade. Following a “tough time in my life about three years ago,” she says, “I was introduced to this whole world of crystals and their healing properties.”

It made a lasting impression. The name of her 3-month-old Farmingdale salon, Bewitched Beauty Bar, doesn’t explicitly mention crystals, but they’re a big part of the experience.

Crystals — priced $5 to $400 — for sale alongside beauty services isn’t salon business as usual. “I like being different,” she says. “When your hair is being processed, there’s always something to look at.”

Pat Petrizzo, 68, who lives in North Massapequa and works in health care, recently “bought a bag of stones that revolved around love,” she says. She’s been one of Oakley’s clients long before the shop launched. She was “taken aback” by the prominent crystal section when she first saw it. “It’s like two shops in one,” she says.

Honey treats at Brooklyn Delights Bakery

In 2021, Brooklyn Delights Bakery was an under-the-radar business nestled inside Sweet City Treats in Farmingdale. Sweet City Treats folded during the pandemic. Brooklyn Delights — a prepackaged bakery facility inside a space divided into a storefront and a warehouse — weathered the storm and grew.

“The side venture became our main business,” says owner Frankie Raimondi, 46. But there’s a new hidden gem to buzz about. “Now we have our own honey company inside the store,” says Raimondi, “which we developed in the pandemic.”

Gold Mine Honey Co. features several varieties — wildflower, blueberry and clover — running around $12.99 a jar.

The honey is made from bees whose hives moved from Long Island to upstate New York after the beekeeper’s death, according to Raimondi. Plans are afoot, he adds, to sell Gold Mine in other stores.

Dresses for all occasions at Here Comes the Bridesmaid

Located in Bethpage Business Park next to companies like Tesla Energy, Here Comes the Bridesmaid is “a different sort of destination,” says owner Elizabeth Andrei.

By customer accounts, it’s well worth the trip. Jenn DeMuria, 37, who lives in East Meadow and works for the Freeport public school district, was thrilled to find bridesmaid dresses in her dream shade of mint at the shop.

But first, she had to find the store. DeMuria recalls a shop employee telling her to look for “building A, right by Tesla. “I thought, ‘Where are you taking me?’ ” DuMuria says with a laugh. “It’s definitely a surprise — and a lovely one.”

Andrei adds that the shop has expanded its focus. “In March, we branched into doing the mother of the groom and bride dresses.”

Melanie Leone, who’s in her 60s, lives in Northport and works in the insurance industry, didn’t mind that the store is off the beaten path. She found a silver dress with lace and cutaway sleeves she couldn’t wait to wear for an upcoming wedding. “It’s very elegant,” she says.

Streetwear at Sprmrkt inside IGA

For trendy streetwear, head to Sprmrkt on Shelter Island, a clothing shop discretely located inside the IGA grocery store. Anthony Peronace, 29, launched the casual line of emblem T-shirts, sweats, hoodies and caps in 2018.

“The majority of the pieces are supermarket-related,” he says. “I’ve always been into fashion.” And into creating new designs each season. A summer 2024 tote bag with a tomato motif ($14.99) is a perfect example of the marriage of personal style your garden-variety grocery list. The Midnight Hoodie is another new option that captures the typical Shelter Island night scene with deer, a familiar sight for anyone who’s driven around the island after dark. In the shop’s expanded line of hats, toppers beaming “Shelter Island” in cucumber green ($37.99) have been a top seller.

Beauty bargains at Cosmetics Warehouse

It’s no secret that looking great for less is a plus. Beauty bargains abound at under-the-radar Cosmetics Warehouse sales in Melville.

Skin care, hair care, cosmetics and other products from brands under the Estée Lauder umbrella such as Clinique, M.A.C., GlamGlow, Bobbi Brown and Origins are 50% off retail. Sales are Saturdays through Dec. 21, except Nov. 30.