Just off the main road of the quaint, historic village of Sag Harbor lies ici, the hospitality lovechild of founders Joseph Licata and Samantha Raynor, who met just steps away from their new venture. After the third date, the couple realized their shared dream of opening a communal culinary space.

A bakery and café by day, wine bar and restaurant by night, the year-round spot offers gluten- and dairy-free baked goods and natural wines, cocktails and small plates to share. With produce locally sourced from farms in the South and North Forks, ici offers a seasonally curated menu along with the option to dine al fresco in their garden during warm weather. There will also be an artisanal market housed next door for a range of sundries to shop.

Formerly a picture house, ice cream parlor and most recently Joey Wölffer’s boutique, Licata and Raynor found the location to be welcoming, where family and friends can get together, slow down and hang out.

“We quickly discovered that — long before we knew each other — we’d both secretly imagined creating a hospitality space of our own. For me, it had always been an all-day gathering spot, the kind of place where people could drift in for a morning coffee, a bite, a glass of wine, or something sweet no matter the time. When we found 23 Washington, it felt like the kind of spot where people could meet and start their own stories, just like we did.”

Through their interest in food and sense of community, ici was born.

Licata is the founder of Future Foods, with experience in hospitality across Europe, and Raynor is a brand strategist. 

Ici will open in late June and offer a full-service dinner menu at a later date.

23 Washington Street, Sag Harbor, N.Y.