Dodds & Eder has a new owner, but you can relax, it will stay the same. Employees Dorothy Simons and Cary Leopold have purchased the retail part of the business and will continue it as Dodds & Eder Home. The ladies purchased the store from owner Joe McLaughlin. He has been semi-retired for 10 years and enjoys living part time in Florida, said Leopold.
Simons is the longtime manager of Dodds & Eder and is the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Chamber of Commerce President. “Dottie and I have basically been running the business for years,” said Leopold.
A Huntington resident, she worked at D&E when she was a senior in high school and while attending college. “And so I’ve always worked here,” she said.
The women have purchased the retail part of the business. The store has always had a three-pronged ownership style. English Country Flowers run by Cindi and George Mudford and the landscaping business run by David McLaughlin will remain as they are currently.
“I have been here since 1996 and Dorothy has been here longer,” said Leopold. “We are starting a new company that will be known as Dodds & Eder Home. It will be on our letterhead.”
The business has always been run seasonally with the fourth quarter dedicated to Christmas. “Now it is all ready for the spring,” said Leopold.
The women will be selling outdoor furniture which has become a large part of the business. Their store in Sag Harbor is primarily for outdoor furniture. Here in Oyster Bay they add home décor items and gift items. There will always be something fun to buy for gifts, for yourself or friends, at D&E. They don’t plan to continue to sell plants.
Warehouse Treasure Sale
On Thursday, Jan. 30 they are holding a Warehouse Sale. “We are selling off furniture sets that we are not going forward with, and getting ready to bring in new items. We are constantly changing and now we are getting ready for the spring,” said Leopold.
It was Patricia McSkane of the Knitted Purl who alerted the Enterprise-Pilot about the news at D&E. She said, “Dodds and Eder is under new ownership and to celebrate they are having a ‘Warehouse Treasure Sale’ and hosting our next ‘Crochet Boot Camp,’ yippee!
“We will be casting on crochet stitches, enjoying light refreshments, and getting a sneak peek at the sale going on, all while making panels for our Hand-Stitched Hamlet installation. So strap on your snow boots, put on your smushiest most yum delish scarf, refresh your lip gloss, grab a few friends and get out for a little girl time,” said McSkane.
Some History
Dodds & Eder was originally a feed and grain store on West Main Street that Joe McLaughlin bought, expanded and then moved to the current location. The store opened with a reception and Joe and Patty’s three red-headed daughters were beautiful to see, dressed in velvet with their hair done in elegant braids.
Dodds & Eder is located at 221 South Street. For information call 516-922-4412. The Knitted Purl is located at 89 South Street. For information please call 558-7800.
