A Shoreline Jewel: Spotlight on Hewlett Harbor, Long Island

What’s hot in Hewlett Harbor is what’s not: There are no sidewalks, no above-ground utility poles, little traffic, and no downtown commerce—just eight square miles of country and shoreline residential properties in a park-like setting only 18 miles from Penn Station (less than an hour commute by train). Deputy Mayor Len Oppenheimer Deputy Mayor Len Oppenheimer recalls his parents bringing him to the small village as a child, where he enjoyed riding his bike along the peaceful streets. Happy memories prompted his decision to raise his own family in Hewlett Harbor and to become active in local politics so he could champion the town. —Michelle Sinclair Colman HOME BASICS Hewlett Harbor is an exclusive village of about 1,250 people and 450 homes, located within Hewlett, on the back bays of Hewlett Bay. “The Hewletts” is local speak for the villages of Hewlett Bay Park, Hewlett Harbor, Hewlett Neck, Hewlett, and Woodsburgh in southeastern Nassau County. (Hewlett is part of the “Five Towns,” which also includes nearby Lawrence, Cedarhurst, Woodmere, and Inwood.) The village is residential by design: Business use of property in Hewlett Harbor is prohibited by local zoning regulations. Long Beach (Photo: Studio MelangeShutterstock) Many of Hewlett Harbor’s homes boast spectacular views and water access. Because the village is surrounded by water on three sides, there are no through streets. Only those who intend to go to Hewlett Harbor end up there. Unlike other waterfront towns, it is not a fishing community and there is no commercial industry, so the village has retained its natural beauty and charm since it was incorporated in 1925. Notable local spots include The Seawane Club ( 1300 Club Dr., 516.374.1110 ), a full-service private club in the middle of town offering golf, tennis, a pool, and a popular spot to socialize. Also worth a visit is Willow Pond , where a recent project to eliminate duckweed has prompted the return of abundant local wildlife. Willow Pond Hewlett Harbor is close to three big beaches: Long Beach and Lido Beach (both are open to the public and are a “great short walk to the water,” according to Oppenheimer), and Atlantic Beach , a private club. LOCAL PICKS Blackened swordfish from Da Nicola. The town earns praise for its public schools. They’re “phenomenal,”saysmom of three Nancy Fisher, a personal trainer and longtime resident of Hewlett Harbor. The village offers a friendly vibe and “a good qualityoflife,”wherepeople value tranquility and health. There are plenty of shops and restaurants a short drive away. Fisher frequents Woodmere Farm ( 1102 Broadway, Woodmere, 516.374.9078 ) for “the best fresh fruit and vegetables in the Five Towns area.” She adds that Jolie Fleur ( 1321 Broadway, Hewlett, 516.792.9661 ) is “a wonderful boutique clothinglingerie store with specialized customer service” and that Trinkets ( 1209 Broadway, Hewlett, 516.295.0850 ) “has lots of trendy items for teenagers and their moms—from graphic sweatshirts and T-shirts to bags and jewelry.” When it comes to dining out near Hewlett Harbor, try Da Nicola ( 1203 Broadway, Hewlett, 516.812.5155 ) for mouthwatering pasta and meat dishes, woodfire pizzas, and burrata crostini, suggests Gil Shemtov, a licensed real estate salesperson with Douglas Elliman and a Long Island native. Shemtov also recommends the family- owned Wall’s Bake Shop ( 1336 Broadway, Hewlett, 516.374.3771 ), a local institution for 40-plus years. “The Philly Fluff is a must,” he says, describing it as better than the best pound cake you’ve ever tasted.