This year, the Bay Shore Chamber of Commerce has announced a new committee coming to Bay Shore. The Greater Bay Shore Retail Committee will work together with local businesses and stakeholders to support one another. The GBSRC aims to promote and help increase the local retail economy in Bay Shore.

The GBSRC will be led by Renee Goldfarb, owner of Origin of Era, a boutique that sells a variation of female-owned brands of clothing, jewelry, and accessories. Also assisting will be Samantha DeFiore, of SoftWind Landscape and Masonry, an Islip-based business that serves neighboring towns, including Bay Shore. With Goldfarb, the idea has always been to get retailers involved and show that Bay Shore isn’t just all about restaurants and bars.

“I’ve seen kinds of retail come in and retail go out,” Goldfarb said. “One of the things that I had noticed is that there was a lot of presence and promotion around restaurants and really a lack of promotion around retail.”

Some of the goals the committee has are uniting retail owners; to help one another and collaborate with each other if needed; boost local shopping by bringing more individuals to Bay Shore, such as with the yearly Sidewalk Sale held on Main Street each year; and advocate for retailers by addressing parking, zoning and regulations with local officials, as well as the chamber of commerce.

The GBSRC hopes to increase the promotion surrounding the retail community in Bay Shore since there is such a unique variety of shops to visit. People who visit Bay Shore can receive hands-on service, customer service, and find nearly anything they’re looking for. Goldfarb cited shops such as Willy Nilly, Nalu Dry Goods, Southside Family Vision, and Drew Patrick Spa as places where visitors can find whatever they’re looking for.

“When I look at Bay Shore, it’s almost like you’re getting these really cool, unique shops that are centralized on Long Island,” Goldfarb said, “instead of going into Brooklyn or instead of going to the Hamptons.”

One of the focuses will be on festivals held on Main Street. The GBSRC will put Bay Shore retailers first before bringing in outside vendors to sell, who would risk competing with a local shop. Businesses will be there to support one another and keep each other in the loop about Bay Shore happenings.

“We’ve seen businesses come and go, no matter where, not just Bay Shore—it could be anywhere,” Goldfarb said. “But when you have the support of each other, you will succeed.”

This year’s Sidewalk Sale is scheduled to take place on May 10.

Joining the committee is limited to Bay Shore businesses only. Those who wish to stay updated on the committee’s happenings, or want to volunteer, can reach out to bayshoreretailcommittee@gmail.com.