Business Notebook: Retail and Restaurant Changes in Three Village

You may have noticed a few recent changes in retail and restaurant space in the Three Village area. Three longtime businesses have closed shop and two have moved locations. A sign of the times or a signal of change?

New Hibachi Eatery Coming to Stony Brook

, the Chinese buffet in Stony Brook, recently closed after a decade in business. The restaurant isn't changing hands but owner Bobby Lam is changing the concept, turning the space into a Japanese steakhouse with hibachi-style table cooking. The new restaurant, Kumo Sushi and Steakhouse, should be open by late winter, according to Lam. The restaurant will also feature a bar/lounge area as well as a sushi bar in the dining room.

"The design will very Manhattan, bringing New York City to Long Island," said Lam, who also owns Hotoke in Smithtown.

Making Room for Gold Coast Bank

The building at the corner of 25A and Bennetts Road where and Rietta Lampshades are located has been under construction to make way for a new branch of Gold Coast Bank. The Country Riding Shop remains in the same building, just one door over, while Rietta has closed. Ingrid's Fashion Design and Apparel Alterations will also remain. Advanced Research Press has moved across the street to the new building. 

"One of the local papers made it look like we were gone because of the bank," said Country Riding Shop owner Eleanor Stanton, who has been in the same location for 47 years. "We're still here," she said.

The store is open during renovations and plans to be ready for the holiday season.

Rietta Lampshades has closed its East Setauket location after owners Ted and Jenny Cavallo decided to retire this year, said daughter Jeanette Florio, who manages the Elmont location. The store had been operating there for 15 years.

East Setauket will be the third location for Gold Coast Bank, which plans to open sometime in February. 

"Our locations are more like networking centers where there is office space and conference rooms to use by customers and prospective customers," said Gold Coast Bank President Joseph Perri.

The bank will also offer a coffee and lounge area with free Wi-Fi as well as a display area for art by local artists.

Local Bookstore Closes its Doors

, a staple for the university crowd, closed its doors for good in October. Owner Robert Breun opened the store some 30 years ago to give students an alternative to high priced new and used books. According to Janette Handley, owner of neighboring , Breun cited health issues as his main reason for giving up the business and that a drop in business helped him make the decision to close.

The storefront, which sits across from the Stony Brook train station, still remains vacant, however a new Dunkin' Donuts will soon occupy the space next to it.