 THERE'S NO PLACE LIKETHE CLEARING HOUSE Location, Location, Location! So the oft-used adage goes when it comes to buying and selling a home or running a business, the East End being no exception. And then, sometimes you can occupy a two-story, 10,000 sq. ft. brick building with tons of cool, heavily-discounted items consigned for re-sale on your front lawn, smack-dab on the main highway that runs through town, and 9 out of 10 people visiting the area have yet to enter your store…hmmm, there’s something’s wrong with this picture. This might have been the scenario for the first year or two since taking over the humungous space at 640 Hwy. 27 in Southampton from Morgansen’s, the former tenant, but it certainly is not the case these days, and for good reason - one that has nothing to do with location, location, location. For starters, you’ve never met a more “hip” and likeable pair of business owners than Victoria Collett and Jim “Nick” Nicolino. Their infectious smiles and warm personalities immediately grab you upon entering the store – something that a more conservative Hamptons shopper might not be expecting, but would soon find difficult to ignore. Once inside, you’re immediately surrounded by tasteful groupings of furniture and accessories that in the past, has included such items as a 20 ft long teak-wood Captain’s galley, pulled from a mid-century sailboat, or a collection of turn-of-the-century porch columns salvaged from a renovated estate some 30 miles north of Manhattan. Further down the aisle, a bamboo armoire is cozied-up to a beautiful four-poster bed showing off its hand-crafted spread. Anything is possible in this place…and from personal experience; it doesn’t stay on the showroom floor very long (the shop’s time-sensitive price reduction policy tends to move items quickly, replacing them with fresh inventory).  It’s this same vision of bringing eclectic furnishings together in one space that has launched Victoria and Nick’s most recent, and might I say, “signature” endeavor – a charitable foundation called “No Place Like Home.” What better business to be in, than providing recycled household furnishings to women and children exiting abusive home situations. Victoria and Nick are able to salvage items that are completely usable, yet not suitable for re-sale in their shop. It’s a win-win situation for all involved, especially for those who might have left their home with little or nothing to their name.On May 4th, 5th and 6th, Victoria and Nick will be joining forces with other talented and compassionate folks to raise money for No Place Like Home at the annual Hamptons Home & Garden Show, conveniently located across the street on the Southampton Elks Lodge Fairgrounds. A silent auction of various home furnishings provided by The ClearingHouse will run throughout the 3 day event with a special appearance by East Ender Lorraine Bracco from HBO’s hit series The Sopranos (the official spokesperson for No Place like Home). Ms. Bracco is scheduled to lend her hand and celebrity power to the cause on Saturday May 5th, from 2-3pm. If you’re in town that weekend, come on by and place a bid or two at the auction – if not, Victoria, Nick, or Susan (their reliable/knowledgeable sales manager at the Southampton location), will gladly assist you with any home decorating needs. Congrats to Victoria and Nick, my Springtime honorees for Season of the Sol!
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