Across northern and central Suffolk County, business owners are busy opening up shop, exploring new ventures, and working hard to maintain their livelihoods. Here are some of the latest business developments in the area.
For fans of Butera's deserts you could now pick up the treats found there and more every day as the former baker for the restaurant has opened Sweet Lucille’s Pastry Café. The bakery, owned and operated by baker and Smithtown resident Lucille Kelley, opened Saturday at 264 West Main Street in Smithtown.
Retro Restaurant is Newest Eatery to Open in Harbor Square Mall
How many times have you turned to someone you know and said: we should start a business together? That’s exactly how it happened for Daniel Battaglia and Mark Romano when they thought up the idea for Twilight Café, the new Fifties-style retro restaurant the pair are opening in Harbor Square Mall. The partnership was a natural. Romano owns Brewtopia across from the restaurant and Battaglia’s wife Ricki (a.k.a. Retro Ricki) owns 411 Boutique. After watching the third owner close up shop within about two years, Romano turned to Battaglia and asked, “Why don’t we take over the snack bar?”
New Clothing Retailer Opens in Stony Brook Village Center
The Stony Brook Village Center's newest store opened last week. Jos. A. Bank, a 106-year-old retailer of upscale men's clothing, took over the 3,118-square-foot space formerly occupied by Talbots, which closed in October of 2011 as one of 100 U.S. stores that company shuttered. Jos. A. Bank is ranked No. 14 on Forbes’ Top 200 List and was praised in Business Week as a "Hot Growth Company." It operates more than 500 stores in 42 states. The store also offers on-site tailoring and tuxedo rentals and sales.
Just a few months after Beanberry Caffe in Miller Place went dark, the location has been sold and those that frequented the Beanberry and were looking for another coffee shop will be pleased to learn that Crazy Beans coffee shop and bar is set to open in about a week. The new owner, Callie Brennan, is originally from Stony Brook and worked for two years at Jake Starr Cafe before her new business venture.
Mercedes Dealership Could Open by End of Year
Mercedes Benz of Smithtown is looking to give locals a visual display from both inside and outside the dealership with its new facility, a building that could be open by year's end or the beginning of 2013. “The openness of it will be very inviting. There will be no barriers visually from the street and inside of the showroom, so I feel like people will be drawn in a little more than they were,” said Nancy Buzzetta, vice president of Mercedes Benz of Smithtown.
Sombrero's in Kings Park Adds New Menu Items
Open just under eight months, Southwest styled Sombrero’s felt it was time to offer more options to their customers and recently made some changes to its menu. “We wanted to offer our customers some more variety to entice them to visit us more often,” said owner Mike Franchi. Southwest pizza, Sombrero beef chili and wafflachos, which are seasoned waffle fries covered in nacho cheese sauce and sprinkled with scallions are a few of the new offerings along with empenadas. Customers can also build their own meals.
When it comes to picking your Halloween costume, Ron Diamond suggests you indulge your inner fantasy. “Who is your childhood hero?” he asks. Dress like Superman or The Lone Ranger. Always wanted to get that law degree? Go trick or treating as a judge. Diamond knows a thing or two about Halloween. He owns Ronjo Magic & Costumes in Port Jefferson Station. He’s also been doing this for 38 years and says his was the first dedicated costume shop in Suffolk County.
