'Pink Link' Shines Brightly With Vibrant Style

Maria Graziano, buyer and manager of The Pink Link, said the store’s color scheme creates a happy environment for customers.  Long Islander News photo/Janee Law

By Janee Law
jlaw@longislandergroup.com

Nestled along New York Avenue in Huntington village stands a clothing store that shines with vibrant design and style.

The late Mark Zambratto opened The Pink Link in August 2005 after a career in marketing. Zambratto died last May after battling cancer, and his family has continued The Pink Link legacy.

“He used to say that ‘I can’t believe I own a pink and green store,’” Maria Graziano, manager and buyer, said, adding that the stores primary colors are hot pink and hot green. “They’re happy clothes. Even on a cold snowy day, our clothes are still designed with prints that make you think of the sun and the beach, so I think that’s important.”

Its color scheme is credited to the Lilly Pulitzer clothing line that the shop offers. The famed brand features colorful printed resort and summer wear for women and children. Its style focuses on warm weather months or for customers traveling or going on vacation.

“Lilly Pulitzer is known for bright, colorful clothing and all of the prints are exclusive to us,” Graziano, 57, of Huntington village said. “With every single Lilly print, the word ‘Lilly’ is in it, so that’s how customers know that it’s a true Lilly original.”

Offering dresses, tops, pants, shoes, hats, and Luxletic active wear, Graziano said the store also carries other brands that complement the Lilly Pulitzer style, including Jude Connally, Mud Pie, and Jack Rogers. The Pink Link offers clothing for men, too, with lines by Vineyard Vines and johnnie-O, a West coast prep brand.

In addition, the storefront offers a variety of accessories and gift items, including jewelry, bags, glasses, wine stoppers and more. With a variety of price ranges, jewelry can be as low as $6, while dresses for women range from $98 to $298.

Customers range from mid-teens to mid-60’s, Graziano said, though the store also offers clothing for children from 3-6 months and up. As a multigenerational clothing line, the brand offers many “mommy and me” outfits.

What Graziano enjoys about her job is being part of the community, she said.

“We’ve become friendly with a lot of our customers,” Graziano said. “People like the store, they like our product and they like the staff. We’re part of the community.”

In August, Pink Link will mark 13 years at its 2,800-square-foot storefront at 310 New York Avenue in Huntington village.

Its spring season will kick off in February, bringing in a variety of white dresses for upcoming school graduations.  

Throughout the year, The Pink Link also offers birthday discounts, where customers receive 20 percent off during the month of their birthday for items purchased for themselves. With that, Graziano said the shop also stands out for its customer service, offering gift-wrapping and special orders.

“We pride ourselves in helping them find what they want and if we don’t have it in, we get it shipped in for them,” Graziano said. “We will offer the best customer service they’ve ever had.”