Steph's Stuff Finds New Home For Its Toys

After 18 years on Newtown Lane in East Hampton Village, Steph's Stuff has moved, but not too far away.

The toy store and gift shop is now located in a bright, airy space on The Circle, next to Blue & Cream and behind Chase Bank. Most recently home to Nancy & Co., the 1,100-square foot space allows the East Hampton staple more space for more goodies for kids and big kids, alike.

"I think the biggest difference in this store is the room to expand. I can carry things I just couldn't carry before," said Stephanie Tekulsky, the owner.

From stuffed animals the size of a child to more of an array of games and fun items for the home, the new store carries a wide selection whether you are taking your son or daughter to pick out a toy or you are looking for a housewarming present.

For parents, perhaps the best change is that the new space is stroller-friendly. The former location, next to the Monogram Shop on Newtown Lane, was a bit to narrow to navigate the packed shelves. She said she hopes this store will be more inviting. There's even a table and chairs.

Steph's Stuff had to find a new home after the Dragotta family sold the building. Rents on Newtown Lane and Main Street in the village are high, particularly for locally-owned businesses, Tekulsky said. But when she found the space on The Circle, she knew it was a perfect match.

Though change is never easy, Tekulsky has adapted her business before. Six years ago, she moved from a small space she had been in for 12 years, next to Sam's restaurant on Newtown Lane, across the street to the space she just vacated.

Steph's Stuff started out as a store for women's and children's accessories, which she started after a 20-year career in designing and manufacturing. When she first opened, her two children were small. Now, her daughter Kylie, a substitute teacher who is working towards her master's degree, works with her.

Around the time of her first move, the changes in the village's makeup made her rethink her merchandise more. Several toy stores had closed, and seeing a need, she began selling more toys.

"I listen -- even now," she said. Customers often ask for Legos, but space was one of the reasons she couldn't carry much before. Now, she is in the process of buying them -- directly from the company, so prices will be more competitive, she said. "I finally have the space," she said.

Having only opened in the new location last Friday, she is still getting settled -- a new awning will be up soon and new merchandise will hit the shelves.

The shelves are already fully stocked. "I like more unusual stuff. I still very much away from electronics. I try to sell things I have some understanding of," she said with a laugh.

There's action figures, plush stuffed animals, board games and jewelry. Then there's troll dolls, got milk? flavored straws, and reusable, foldable drinking bottles, and Gummy Bear night lights.

For adults, there's fun dish sink drainers, dog and NYC-inspired "pop-outs," which are part of the Marc Tetro collection, cocktail napkins, and a whole line of clever household items from Fred, such as the the "handy spatula" or the robot-looking bottle opener.

"A lot of this stuff are things I fell in love with," Tekulsky said. "If I fell in love with it, and I just couldn't walk away, I bought it."