Thrift Shop Opens In New Greenport Location With New Name

GREENPORT, NY — For those heartbroken to hear that Yard Thriftique had closed in Southold, there's great news — owner John Dinizio has brought the shop to Greenport with a new name and almost three-times larger location.

The shop is now named YTQ, Inc. "The new shop is a bigger and better space," Dinizio said, adding that the store is located in the Greenport on the corner of South and 1st Streets, right across from the IGA and the restaurant First and South.

"The closing of our previous location was due to reasons beyond our control," Dinizio said. "Fortunately, having a little patience, thanks to my wife Gloria's voice of reason, put us in a great location with amazing landlords and the perfect space to bring our dream to life."

The vision for the shop, Dinizio said, is similar to the last with an added bonus of having the space to share with a few smaller vendors and craftspeople who have their own spaces and bring their own unique merchandise. For example, Dinizio said, one is a vendor that has new and gently used items, including toys, books and fishing equipment. Another, he said, makes unique jewelry, some from scratch and other pieces made by hand from recycled jewelry and other interesting hardware.

"She’s very talented and has an amazing eye for what she does. The best part is the very affordable price of her pieces. We’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback about it already," Dinizio said.

Another vendor, Whiskey in a Teacup, features brand-new clothing and jewelry, Dinizio said.

"My wife bought the first piece of clothing from her before she finished setting up the rack and the store manager Tracy bought the second shortly after. I’d say that’s a fairly strong indication that the stuff is really nice and priced right," Dinizio said.

He added that "last, but far from least," the shop features a very talented sign maker, with all signs hand-painted on wood and custom signs created for any occasion, Dinizio said.

As for his own merchandise, Dinizio carries items ranging from brand-new through antiques.

"We have clothes for everyone, shoes, toys, collectibles, tools, anchors and much more," he said. "Some things we have several of, others are only one, so if you like it, be sure to buy it because there’s no promise that it’ll be here tomorrow — or ever again. We have new items out every day; the store changes constantly."

Dinizio said, having grown up in, and living in, Greenport, he's very excited about the new location. "I’ve witnessed the evolution of Greenport firsthand. It was a very different Greenport when I graduated high school in 1991. I’m proud to be another small piece of that evolution. The building, according to my grandparents, was a bike shop where they bought their two-seater bicycle," Dinizio said, adding that he remembers many rides on the backseat while his grandfather did all the pedaling.

After that, the building housed Triangle Sea Sales, with the owners now his landlords, he said.

"All in all, I could not have dreamed of a better location, layout, or people to lease from," Dinizio said. "I’m super excited to see what the summer will bring."

Dinizio has always loved collecting. Bottles, books, glass — anything that catches his eye and that he hasn't come across before, inspires dreams and imagination.

"If I like something or find it interesting, I add it to my collection," Dinizio said. "I love seeing and learning about what other people enjoy collecting and why they collect it. So this is a good outlet for that. A way to share in people's love for collecting or finding things they like — including finding good quality for a good price."

The shop is a must for those who love yard sales and thrift shops, filled with treasures such as bottles, clothing — including new or like new baby and kid clothes — furniture from antique to modern, baseball cards, old bottles, Barbies in their original, unopened boxes, shoes, nautical items, lights and lamps, and also old to newer, china, records, DVDs and other collectibles.

"If people are looking for something specific that we don't have we are taking names and contact information so if and when I find it for them, I can let them know. The hunt is a huge part of the fun for me," he said.

For Dinizio, the shop is a dream realized, a chance to share his thrill in collecting with others.
Reflecting one the best thing he's ever found at a yard or tag sale, he said, "I've found so many cool things. I'd be lying if I named one thing as the best for me. One summer my wife and I picked up an outdoor play set for our son at a yard sale in Southold. So I think if you asked AJ what it was, he'd say that was it."

Each perfect find, every dusty treasure unearthed, represents a deep tie to the faces and memories of yesterday carried forever in hearts, Dinizio said.

The "found" pieces that people cherish most, he said, "are a part of, or related to, a love or passion that's no longer there for them. For me, I grew up fishing commercially with my dad. He passed away 18 years ago this October. In a way, things that were his or a part of what he did keeps him here with us. It's a way to show my girls who he was and what he was. It's comforting and helps to fill the empty space that was left when cancer took him from all of us."

YTQ, Inc. is now open 7 days a week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

"But I never rush to close the door at 6 p.m. and never rush people in or out at any time," Dinizio said. "Once the weather warms up and town starts staying busier later in the days/evenings, we will be staying open later, as well. I grew up going to yard sales and thrift shops. I love going to them still. So knowing that I’d go to a thrift store at 8 p.m. if it was open, I’m pretty sure there are others out there with a similar mindset. We’ll be here to help scratch that thrift itch if ya have one."

Dinizio said he wants to be clear on one issue: "I’ve been asked a few times since opening, and I absolutely do not feel like I’m competing with the Opportunity Shop, nor was that my goal in opening, either. If anything, I think both shops will only benefit from it. We both have some basic things in common but we also have many more things that the other does not. The way I see it, the only thing better than a thrift shop is two thrift shops to go to!"