6 North Fork shops along the pumpkin trail worth a visit

A favorite fall ritual is upon us. With the arrival of autumn, you’re drawn to the scenic stretch of highway between Wading River and Peconic and the many farm stands along the way featuring seasonal delights: hand-picked pumpkins, homemade cider and cinnamon-dusted doughnuts.

“The place becomes Pumpkinville,” says area business owner Stephanie Sack. As you’re traveling the corridor of the gourds, stop by eclectic boutiques in the area that are sure to spice up your North Fork pumpkin run.

We’ve carved out a shopping spree that’s all over the map.

R.E.N. Design Company for housewares

9 Sound Rd., Wading River; 631-886-2559, @rendesigncompany

Marking its seventh anniversary in November, Samantha and Jason Nagorski’s store in Wading River specializes in handmade wood work and home decor, furniture and accents where a modern farmhouse meets a natural boho aesthetic.

Autumn is a vibe at R.E.N., named for the couple’s 7-year-old daughter, Ruby Elizabeth, per Samantha, who, like her husband, grew up in Shirley. “Along with a couple of other businesses down here, we host witching hours,” she says. “We have fire pits going and themed music.”

Seasonal finds at the store include crocheted plush pumpkins ($15-$25) that will perk up any decor and “are one of our big things,” she says. Cute and practical surface-saving coasters with messages like “Fall Y’all” are $25 for a set of four. Rustic-style porch signs (“Home Sweet Haunted Home”) cost $65.

Nearby apple and pumpkin farms

R.E.N. is just over 3 miles away from Hayden’s Orchard (561 Hulse Landing Rd., Wading River), offering u-pick apples for $3 per pound, and Andrews Family Farm (1038 Sound Ave., Wading River), selling u-pick pumpkins and specialty gourds daily through Oct. 31.

Lumber + Salt for treasures

5570 Sound Ave., Jamesport; 215-704-6588, lumberandsalt.com

For one-of-a-kind salvaged treasures you didn’t know you needed until you saw them, Lumber + Salt in Jamesport delivers.

Merchandise runs the gamut every season. “We’ve created a lifestyle brand with a look that’s raw and refined,” says Brooke Cantone, who owns the shop with life and business partner, John Mazur. “We have furniture, seating, tables, artwork, mirrors, lighting, cutting boards, rugs, frames and jewelry.”

For the time of the great pumpkin, plus size industrial totes and containers reimagined as home-decor planters to hold mums and holiday evergreens run $25-$200. Repurposed apple crates that double as planters are $20-$75. Iron cook pots that double as fire pits range from $895 to $1,295.

Nearby apple and pumpkin farms

You’ll pass Lumber + Salt en route to Harbes Family Farm and Vineyard (715 Sound Ave., Mattituck) if traveling east along Sound Avenue. The farm features a corn maze, fall festivals on weekends and u-pick pumpkins through Oct. 27. Three miles away, Stakey’s Pumpkin Farm (270 West Lane, Aquebogue) boasts a 3-acre corn maze and hayrides along with its u-pick pumpkin field.

Mint for clothing

260 Love Lane, Mattituck; 631-298-8009, shopmint.com

Mint, an upscale women’s clothing boutique in Mattituck, one of four Long Island locations, boasts seasonal selections with wide appeal. “We’re very mother-daughter in the sense that we have something in the store for every generation,” says owner Joanna Mazzella.

Mazzella grew up in Huntington and is versed in the annual autumn pumpkin-picking adventure. “We would drive out to the North Fork for the day,” she recalls, adding that two of her current favorite spots are Country View Farm Stand in Southold and Wickham’s in Cutchogue.

Autumn arrivals at Mint include soft and cozy pieces perfect for layering. Cashmere sweaters run $128-$318, a fun “Ciao” graphic sweater is $108. Jackets and blazers are $98-$318. Chocolate brown, cognac, navy and hunter green are go-to fall colors, while stripes are also popular. Beyond clothes, candles in pumpkin and apple blossom scents are $28.

Nearby apple and pumpkin farms

You’ll pass by Harbes in Mattituck 3 miles before hitting Mint if you travel east along Sound Avenue. 

North Fork Apothecary for beauty and style finds

37070 Main Rd., Cutchogue; northforkapothecary.com

Situated in a 200-year-old Cutchogue farmhouse that used to serve as a community gathering spot, North Fork Apothecary seeks to recreate that nostalgic, welcoming atmosphere.

Stephanie Sack opened her retail haven for clothing, home goods, artwork and skincare goodies three years ago. “We’re kind of an emporium,” says Sack. “You can always get a little bit of everything.”

For fall, the shop just got a fresh look thanks to animal-print wallpaper as well as fresh coats of autumnal colors including greens, browns and burnt oranges. “I’m very visual,” says Sack. “I used to do events and visual merchandising.”

Sack’s picks for fall include Ligne St. Barth avocado oil skin and hair care ($48) which, she adds, “smells like happy memories.” More musts: tall rubber rain boots for drizzly days ($100), vintage Grateful Dead T-shirts ($175) and Deborah Feingold rock photographs ($650-$1,500).

Nearby apple and pumpkin farms

Stop by Wickham’s Fruit Farm (28700 Route 25, Cutchogue), for u-pick apples starting at $60 for a bushel bag through Oct. 14. From here, it’s a three-minute drive to North Fork Apothecary.

One for All Gifts for knickknacks

53345 Main Rd., Southold; 631-765-8317, oneforallgifts.com

All the merchandise at One for All Gifts in Southold tells a story. “Every item that we have here featured is made by an entrepreneur from the neurodiverse community,” says owner Theresa DeMarco, who runs the shop with her son, Sean, who is 26 and on the autism spectrum.

“We’re a retail brick-and-mortar outlet for work created by artisans with different abilities.” The shop’s mission, she adds, “is to get the word out” about these individuals and their potential.

Inspired by the autumn wonderland around the store, the DeMarcos set the scene inside the shop with autumn leaves, baskets and aromatic candles. In addition to warm and cozy crocheted hats ($18), fall items include glass pumpkins ($48), seasonal wreaths ($18) and festive pie servers ($22).

Nearby apple and pumpkin farms

Just past North Fork Apothecary, visit Krupski’s Farm (38030 Route 25, Peconic) en route to One for All Gifts for u-pick pumpkins, hayrides and a haunted corn maze. 

Jamesport Country Store for nostalgia

1299 Main Rd., Jamesport; 631-722-8048 

For a sweet blast from the past, drop by the Jamesport Country Store on your great North Fork pumpkin run. Retro candies like fruit slices, Violet mints, candy buttons will surely tickle your taste buds.

Owner Howard Waldman, whose mother opened the store 51 years ago, admitted that the licorice jelly beans are his personal favorite. Candy sells for around $3 to $5 a half-pound.

Beyond the treats, “vintage decor is also popular,” says Waldman. Old-timey signs hawking Coca-Cola or horse shows run $49-$1,500, vintage ornaments start at $3.99, and papier mâché jack-o’-lanterns run $29-$49.

Nearby apple and pumpkin farms

Schmitt’s Farm Stand on Sound (3355 Sound Ave., Riverhead) is along your route back west, should you travel back to Sound Avenue for u-pick pumpkins and candy apples.