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Babylon businesses teaming up to bring a butterfly exhibit to the village

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A trifecta of businesses in Babylon is encouraging shoppers to feed, love, and learn at their new butterfly encounter debuting Saturday, April 3.

The Boutique, Hitch, and The Babylon Mercantile, all on East Main, have built a greenhouse in their shared back patio space that’s filled with flowers, greenery, and the main attraction: butterflies.

“We were looking for something different and exciting to do as a way to bring people together and give them a unique experience,” said Theresa Ribarich, owner of The Boutique.

“And we wanted to top our Santa in a snow globe event,” added Joe DeBello, owner of Hitch.

After deciding on the greenhouse, DeBello says he took a Zoom class to learn everything to know about butterflies — especially how to care for them. The butterflies in Babylon are called “Painted Ladies,” and are from a butterfly breeder in Massachusetts. 

Between 60 and 100 butterflies will be shipped to the greenhouse every week. They will arrive in all different cycles of life — from caterpillars to crystals to pregnant butterflies who will have their babies in the greenhouse.

The experience will grant visitors the opportunity to feed the butterflies, take pictures, even play dress-up in monarch wings big enough for a person.

These Instagram worthy photo-ops are BYOC — “bring your own camera” — and entry is $5. The last day to visit the butterfly garden is May 9. 

Butterflies in Babylon will kick off this Saturday with the Easter Bunny making an appearance between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The butterfly encounter will be open seven days a week, Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Profits will benefit local organizations and charities including Babylon Village Strong, Babylon Rotary Club, and more.

“It’s going to be really great and it’s a great opportunity to raise money for all these organizations,” DeBello said.

The live plants inside the greenhouse that are sponsored by Jonah’s Garden in North Bellmore will also be for sale.

People can get to the Butterflies in Babylon encounter by going through any of the three stores: The Boutique at 41 E. Main St., Hitch at 37 E. Main St., or The Babylon Mercantile at 45 E. Main St.

Each store is planning events of their own to do with the butterfly encounter, like a butterfly garden fashion show by The Boutique, butterfly classes with Hitch, and an outdoor cooking class with The Babylon Mercantile — full schedule TBD.

“I’m very excited,” Ribarich said. “As someone who loves butterflies, having them around to hang out with and care for is a beautiful thing.”

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Top: The ‘Butterflies in Babylon’ greenhouse.

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