Hampton Chutney Co. Moving To Former Mary's Marvelous Space

EAST HAMPTON, NY — After more than 20 years tucked into Amagansett Square, a beloved local eatery will be moving soon: Hampton Chutney Co. is set to begin its next chapter at the former space on Newtown Lane in East Hampton long occupied by the recently shuttered Mary's Marvelous.

Isabel and Gary MacGurn spoke with Patch about their coming move and a business that has come to mean so much more than just mouthwatering dosas for generations of customers who've become close as family.

According to Isabel, Hampton Chutney is expected to open on December 17 at its new location at 107 Newtown Lane. The move will take place on December 13, with the Amagansett location remaining open through December 12.

Reflecting on the emotional journey that led to the move, Isabel said their lease was up during the pandemic and thankfully, they were told they would be able to hold off on renewal until spring of 2021. But then, she said, they were "hit with a bombshell," a daunting rent increase they said made it impossible to renew their lease.

The couple said Mary Schoenlein, the owner of Mary's Marvelous and a friend, suggested they come and see her space. Although their first inclination was to stay in Amagansett, a community they have long cherished, the right property never materialized.

And once they saw the Newtown Lane space, the path and vision became clear, Isabel said. "We could really see our business fitting into that location," she said.

Still, despite the fact that they'd moved once before, from the spot where La Fondita is now located, leaving Amagansett Square has been deeply emotional, Isabel said.

When they knew they had to leave, Isabel said, "It was very upsetting. This is like our home."

Their children grew up at the Amagansett eatery; the walls are decorated with photos of their kids' childhoods. Their children, she said, attended the Amagansett School; for years, Isabel said, they hosted "Dosa Tuesdays," sending the tempting Indian fare for students to enjoy.

Amagansett Square is a beautiful property, with longtime customers able to sit outside and watch their children play, Isabel said. "We feel very much a part of this community, so that's been rough for us," she said.

But with December approaching, Isabel said both she and Gary are excited to open their doors in East Hampton, where the location is right near the elementary, middle, and high schools.

"Kids are huge fans of our food," Isabel said, adding that the aim has always been to offer healthy snacks.

The new spot has been transformed under the care of Fifth and Dune Partners, with contractor Kevin Warren's meticulous eye for detail, she said. "It's coming along beautifully," she said.

Schoenlein, too, was happy to see the MacGurns taking over the space that has long held such an important piece of her heart.

Besides the menu staples, including dosas and uttapam, sandwiches and salads, breakfast items will also be available at the new location, with Hampton Chutney opening 7 a.m. through 7 p.m. in the off-season and later in the summer.

The popular soft-serve ice cream will still be offered, Isabel said.

"We just want to cater to our new neighborhood," Isabel said.

She added that it is the outpouring of support from friends and longtime customers that have carried them through the past tumultuous months.

"We couldn't have done it without them," she said. "They have been so supportive. Even diehard Amagansett people have said, 'Of course, we'll still going to come to you.' They've been great. It's just really very moving for us, the outpouring. This is so much more than just a food business."

Longtime customers, she said, raised their children at Hampton Chutney. "Our kids played outside as toddlers. They grew up on dosas. It's more than just a restaurant; it's a whole community," she said.

Supporters were upset and outraged with the news first broke that the business would have to move, standing in solid support of the eatery and their longtime friends and rallying on social media.

But now all are looking to the future. "We're going to create that same atmosphere," Isabel said.

East Hampton officials and landlord Robert Zecher have been very supportive, working with the MacGurns to possibly create an inviting, safe outdoor space, Isabel said.

"We've been really embraced," she said. "Everyone is onboard to make this successful and to create life at the end of Newtown Lane, to make it come alive — and to make it a safe place for kids to come after school. This is going to become a new part of East Hampton."

Gary added that the move is the next step in their winding love story, a new destination on their culinary canvas.

Gary, who lived in an ashram in India for five years, met his wife there; both were cooking there.

"I grew up in San Diego and she grew up in New York City and we met in India," he said.

It was at the ashram that Gary said he learned to make dosas, to breathe in the beauty of the spices and create chutney and flavorful vegetable dishes.

Later they moved to upstate New York but from that point forward, there was a "passion for dosas," he said. "People just loved dosas, young and old, it didn't matter — everyone loved them."

Dosas, Gary said, are healthy, fast food — and also, gluten-free.

At Hampton Chutney, there are photos of saints, along with Indian chants playing; all the elements of the ashram were woven into a space carefully and mindfully created.

"The ashram taught us that food is God, and that as it is prepared, it's really important that it's done with the right feeling, with chants playing — infusing food with high vibrations, love and respect. It's healthy and tasty, but just as importantly, I feel, is the music that we play and the feeling that goes into the food — and also that extends to customers. Our mission statement is to welcome everyone with love and respect."

That includes customers, staff, vendors, and "ultimately, ourselves — to be loving and respectful of our own selves," he said.

Of the move, Gary is optimistic. "Initially, we weren't thrilled. But we'd gone through this before," when they had to move from their first Amagansett space, something that was upsetting at a time when Isabel was eight months' pregnant.

"We thought we were finished, out of business. And then we moved and in hindsight, we thought, 'Oh, my God, this is an even better space.' I just know that's going to happen again. We're going to look back and say, 'Thank you,'" he said. "Everything happens for a reason; everything happens for the best."

The new space is in a prime location, close to Sag Harbor and Bridgehampton, he said.

"And I know we're going to do really, really well there," Gary said.