Debbie and Victoria Schade, the mother-and-daughter team behind Special Effects Salon and Tea, have created a spa day oasis in Greenport. How do these local beauty gurus pamper themselves? Here’s their personal Best Of list.
Debbie Schade started doing facials out of her home in East Marion 30 years ago. Since then, she and her daughter Victoria, a licensed makeup artist and esthetician, have transformed a three-story Victorian house in Greenport into a full-service salon and spa, and Special Tea House café. It’s a beauty destination for locals and bridal parties alike, with a lush garden in back where you can sip tea and get a mani-pedi in the summertime, plus a hair salon, a clothing boutique and a makeup studio. “This is a dream come true for me, and truly a labor of love,” said Debbie.
Victoria grew up on the North Fork, then studied fashion merchandising at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. After receiving a degree, she got her makeup and esthetician certifications, and returned home to partner up with her mom. “When I was younger, I didn’t cherish the North Fork as much as I do now,” she said. “I came back and met my husband here, and I love living and working in such a small, friendly community. I pick up flowers before work from a little stand nearby and buy fresh eggs from a local farm. On the North Fork, you actually know the chefs, winemakers, farmers and store owners. That’s the kind of life that I love.”
THESE ARE DEBBIE AND VICTORIA’S FAVORITE NORTH FORK THINGS AS TOLD TO GINA WAY:
FAVORITE FLOWER STAND
Nerdling Acres Flower Stand in Southold has fresh-cut flowers every Friday through Sunday in the spring and summer. Their bouquets are gorgeous and come from their family-run farm. We’re doing a flower arranging workshop with them this summer in our garden.
FAVORITE FRESH-BAKED BREAD
We absolutely love 1610 Sourdough bread in Calverton. Aiyana, the baker-owner, sells loaves at different pop-ups in town, or you can pre-order and go pick up bread from her absolutely adorable cart/stand. The olive sourdough loaf is delicious.
FAVORITE ANTIQUE STORES
We both adore White Flower Farmhouse. The color palette — all of those soft whites and creamy neutrals — is our dream. Owner Lori Guyer always has such incredible, beautiful stuff and maintains reasonable prices. My best friend Bianca Munguia is an amazing jewelry designer (All Hours), and sells her vintage and bespoke pieces there, and the new White Flower Garden across the street is also magical. Another obsession is Marika’s Eclectic Boutique on Shelter Island, which has beautiful antique furniture. Every once in a while, you can find an amazing steal, so it’s worth checking out regularly.
FAVORITE WEEKEND ACTIVITY
I used to wake my kids up at 6 a.m. on the weekend to be at local yard sales by 7. Victoria and I still go yard saling together. You pick up The Suffolk Times to get the list of addresses in the classified section, and then you plot your plan of attack. Adds Victoria: “My mom is the yard sale queen of the North Fork.”
FAVORITE FARM STANDS
It’s not like grocery shopping at a supermarket here. We stop by Deep Roots Farm in Southold at least once a week. It’s a small family farm and self-serve market with fresh chicken, pork, eggs and produce. They have bags of fresh herbs and greens—the spicy mix is amazing—and they sell potted herbs that we plant in the Special Effects garden every spring. Another favorite is The Naked Farm in East Marion that has the most amazing vegetables and leafy greens. Farmer Michael Chuisano sends out a weekly email with available produce, and then you order and pick them up on Saturday.
VICTORIA’S FAVORITE DATE NIGHT
My husband and I love Léon 1909 on Shelter Island. First, when you take the little ferry to Shelter Island from Greenport in the evening, it’s so romantic. It feels like you’re really getting away. The restaurant’s atmosphere is so cozy and they have a wood-burning hearth that’s used to grill fresh seafood and their incredibly juicy half-chicken dinner.
FAVORITE WINE STORE
One Kourt Studio in Greenport has a curated selection of global wines, and my husband, who is Portuguese, loves that they have so many wines from Portugal. The owner, Kimberly Cavoores, is super knowledgeable and always leads me to natural, funky wines that I love.
FAVORITE GREENPORT RESTAURANT
The setting cannot be beat at Fortino’s Tavern in Greenport. You are literally sitting on the dock of the bay having dinner. The husband-and-wife owners, Mike and Nikki Fortino, serve up delicious Mediterranean food. The watermelon and feta salad is amazing and the catch of the day is always incredible. They close for the winter, so when they’re open in the spring and summer, you’ve got to soak up all the goodness while you can!
FAVORITE YOGA CLASSES
We both take yoga classes from Claire Copersino, who used to teach out of The North Fork Yoga Shala. She doesn’t have that storefront anymore, but now she does pop-up classes at awesome spots like Meadowlark North Fork Winery, Sep’s Farm, and the Parish Hall of Holy Trinity Church in Greenport. Claire is the warmest, most amazing human being, and my mom is going on a yoga retreat with her this year. We also go to Karuna Hot Yoga for yoga and Pilates, and breath work classes that are truly transformative.
