Nassau County Legislator Carrié Solages (D – Lawrence) celebrated the grand re-opening of the Malik Dupri fashion boutique at the Roosevelt Field mall in Garden City on Saturday, July 30.

At 27 years old, Malik Dupri Morris, who earned a doctorate in physical therapy from Ithaca College, is one of Roosevelt Field’s youngest independent store owners. After being furloughed from his job during the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, he launched the Malik Dupri brand online and opened a sunglasses kiosk at Roosevelt Field in November of that year. He moved into a Roosevelt Field storefront in June 2021, and since that time, Morris has expanded upon his brand’s signature sunglasses line to feature fashion-forward luxury casual wear.

After learning that young business owner Malik Dupri Morris encountered challenges with renewing his lease, Legislator Solages wrote to mall officials on July 6 and urged them to work with this young entrepreneur so that his blossoming business would remain in Nassau County. Legislator Solages’ efforts were successful and paved the way for Saturday’s grand reopening celebration.

“Innovative young entrepreneurs like Malik Dupri Morris make tremendous contributions to the economic vitality of Nassau County, and it is essential to ensure they have every opportunity to pursue their dreams,” Legislator Solages said. “Malik’s dream was to keep his business in Nassau County where it began – and that makes his grand-reopening celebration even more meaningful.”