The Town of Huntington will usher in the holiday season with its annual tree lighting and holiday parade on Nov. 28. And local businesses and community groups are inviting the thousands of people expected to make their way to the Huntington village to come early and “shop local.”

It was a dreary Thursday morning, but Carillon Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Huntington could not have been more alive. With brightly lit hallways, vibrant artwork of landscapes on the walls, welcoming smiles from staff members and the scent of peach crisp pie in the air, residents are meant to feel right at home.

When searching for custom made gift baskets, arranged with gourmet crackers, spreadable cheeses, dried fruit, gourmet cookies, chocolate covered raisins and more, there is no time wasted when ordering from Huntington–based A Tisket A Tasket Anything In A Basket.

Elena D’Agostino, 55, and Joyce Mennella, 44, of Lucky To Live Here Realty, take selling houses to clients to a personal level.

“I think it’s important when you’re working with a real-estate agent to work with someone that is ingrained in the community and the connections and the knowledge of the community,” said D’Agostino, of Lloyd Harbor.

Don’t let the sign fool you. Jewelry Collection in Northport offers more than jewelry for the community. Owner Eileen Pinchuck’s store sells a variety of gifts for women and men. “I’m going to eventually put Jewelry Collection and More,” said Pinchuck, 49, of Northport, adding that the store has been evolving since she started the business eight years ago.

A new weapon against Suffolk County’s “brain drain” met for the first time Monday afternoon and it’s called the Suffolk County Alliance of Chambers. Members of the group, a consortium of chambers and business organizations across Suffolk, aim to bring their collective power together to help businesses overcome hurdles and, in turn, retain Suffolk’s young professionals.

Reinwald’s itself has aged like a fine wine, providing Huntington with luxurious goodies like cookies, cakes, pastries, breads and confections.

For Cork Tree Fine Wines & Liquors in Northport Village, running a successful wine shop is based on good quality, customer service and an immense knowledge of the product itself.

Residents in the Town of Huntington are weighed down by heavy costs of living that make it difficult to save money and improve their lives, according to a new report that analyzed communities across Long Island. 

Since the Brigati family started farming on Long Island in 1886, they moved twice before settled at 250 Old Country Road in Melville in 1932. The farm was commonly known as the Brigati farm, but as business grew, they gave it an official name -- identifying it with the white fences that stood at the front entrance: White Post.

Before Rubie’s Costume Co. became a multi-million-dollar costume industry juggernaut, with wholesale operations reaching 14 countries and employing more than 3,000 workers worldwide, the brand had much more humble beginnings.

Coming on the heels of star New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. joining Huntington-based Roar Beverages as a national company spokesperson, the company released last week its first product in a planned series of sports drinks through the partnership.

Dee’s Hair Studio in East Northport has a total of four styling chairs and two employees. But size doesn’t always count when it comes to keeping the customers coming!

For Rutika Gold, the owner of Antiques & Jewels On Main, it’s fitting that her last name represents a type of jewelry, since collecting and selling historic charms is something of an addiction. 

As the fall season steers around the corner, expect cool weather, leaves falling from the trees, pumpkin flavored everything, and, when it comes to beer, Harbor Beverage Merchants, Inc. in Huntington has the hookup for seasonal ale. 

Life is for sale in the heart of Cold Spring Harbor.

At Living, a women’s boutique, co-managers Jenn Cassidy and Liz Schupler offer answers to life’s tasteful questions with heaps of clothing, jewelry and accessories strategically presented alongside furniture, fixtures and décor offered by Samhal Life Design Group. Both the boutique and design firm are owned by interior designer Susan Tamberino, of Bay Shore.

With the two businesses working together, Schupler said, 123 Main St. has become a one-stop-shop for all of life’s aesthetic wants and needs.

It all worked out in the end for Sonia Kellogg.

Faced with an Aug. 31 eviction from an owner looking to sell the property, Kellogg’s Dolls’ Houses is moving three doors down from its longtime home at 49 Main St. in Cold Spring Harbor and taking up space in the rear of Heritage Candle & Home at 29 Main St. 

A brown bandana emblazoned with a sinister skull design is draped over the face of a Native American tribal chief statue. The figure has an arm lopped off at the elbow, stands near 6 feet tall and greets customers of Station 1 Tattoo parlor on East Jericho Turnpike in Huntington Station.

Even though he’s the chief executive and president of one of the biggest mattress distributors in the world, David Acker opted to sleep on a piece of cardboard in a parking lot earlier this month.

A year after Scott Reich and Michael Winik brought their business venture, OurHarvest, to Huntington’s Family Service League, the duo announced that more than 300 meals have been donated to the nonprofit organization.