Looking to spruce up your home decor? Soon, you’ll have more options to browse through as touchGOODS is expanding its footprint in downtown Southold.
Owner Norine Pennacchia recently announced plans to expand her popular home goods store into the adjoining space that for years was occupied by Complement the Chef.
The shop, which carried a large selection of cookware, kitchen gadgets, linens, tableware and gifts quietly closed in January after the owners decided to retire.
The timing was right for Pennacchia, who over the last two years found herself in need of more showroom space and she struggled to meet demand for an influx of new homeowners looking for pieces to add to their homes. “Over the past couple years we’ve renovated a few rooms that were once storage spaces to create more showroom space,” she said, explaining why she jumped at the chance to expand.
In the new space, Pennacchia is planning to expand her offerings and envisions the new touchGOODS as a one-stop shop for your home with a curated selection of bedding, cookware, dinner, glassware, linens and cleaning items.
As a nod to Complement the Chef, she’s also planning to continue stocking kitchen tools.
“At first I thought I’d just expand upon what I already do, but listening to the community, it sounded like Southold needs housewares. We totally need them out here,” she said. “If you’re coming out for the weekend, you drive all the way out here and then you realize you need a lobster pot because you’re entertaining and you don’t want to travel far for it,” Pennacchia said.
“We’re really excited. We want to have utilitarian stuff but we’re being really selective, so not just any garlic press but a really functional and cool-looking garlic press.”
She plans to stock Hestan cookware and many Made-in-the-USA products and will initially focus on outdoor dining and entertaining with plant-based melamine and compostable bamboo serveware. “We’re trying to stay away from one-time use products,” she said.
Pennacchia is currently at work on some light renovations next door, adding some fresh paint, artwork and polishing the floors before her anticipated open date of May 1. One highlight of the renovation was removing the drop ceilings and unearthing original pressed tin ceilings.
Another perk is that a sliding barn door will connect the two spaces. “It’ll look like one big store with different departments,” she said.
Until then, she’s working to get the store and website stocked and asking for some community input through a virtual suggestion box by emailing [email protected]. Anything related to housewares, from a seafood fork or barbecue brush to a hot pink dish sponge, will be considered and they’re planning to give away $25 in store credit for suggestions they accept.
For more information, follow @touchGOODS on Instagram.
