Business

Right Coast Taqueria celebrated the grand opening of  its newest location at 4088 Nesconset Highway in East Setauket with a ribbon cutting on Jan. 5. 

Brookhaven Town Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich, members of the Three Village Chamber of Commerce and members of the Three Village Historical Society joined owners David Preisler and Richard Zoob along with General Manager John Negrinelli in the celebration.

The business now has four locations throughout Long Island, including Deer Park, Ronkonkoma and Mineola. The restaurant, which was first established in 2018 at its Deer Park location, serves Mexican food including tacos, burritos, nachos, quesadillas, fajitas and much more.

“Right Coast Taqueria had great food and a fun beach vibe, just what we needed on a cold day as we welcomed them to the community. Wishing them the best of luck, now and in the future,” said Councilmember Kornreich.

For more information, call 631-940-8300. To order online, visit www.rightcoasttaqueria.com.

Ryan Attard

Family & Children’s Association (FCA) a health and human services nonprofit organization based in Garden City, recently named Ryan Attard of Huntington Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. FCA President and CEO, Jeffrey L. Reynolds, Ph.D. made the announcement on behalf of the organization.

“I am pleased to welcome Ryan to FCA,” Reynolds said. “Her work on some of Long Island’s most vexing challenges and wide-ranging knowledge of our region’s landscape and stakeholders make her an ideal fit for the role as we add new programs.”

In her new position, Attard will oversee FCA’s program operations, IT, compliance, and quality assurance.

“I am thrilled to bring my knowledge and experience to the Family and Children’s Association. As the new COO I am committed to harnessing the power of compassion, collaboration, and innovation to uplift those in need. Together we will create a brighter future for our community,” said Attard.

Prior to joining FCA Attard served as a Deputy County Executive for Suffolk under County Executive Steve Bellone. During her tenure, she collaboratively led in times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic by coordinating with over 75 school districts and assisting them in navigating changing rules and guidance. She assisted the most vulnerable populations in getting access to test kits, emergency food delivery, diaper distribution, and vaccinations by collaborating with multiple government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community partners.

After New York State and Suffolk County won several landmark court victories against opioid manufacturers, Attard created and launched an application process that would allow the county to transparently and fairly allocate over $50 million in settlement funding to non-profits, healthcare systems, and public and private agencies, that provide services around the opioid epidemic, including prevention, treatment, and recovery.

In her previous role at the MTA, she successfully built relationships with government community leaders and gained support for important transportation initiatives such as downtown revitalization, expansion projects, east-side access, and the third track. She also served as a member of their ADA task force.

Attard has also held leadership roles at Long Island University as the University Director of Alumni Relations, where she was charged with running their Annual Fund and programming for over 400,000 alumni, and at the Town of Brookhaven as the Deputy Commissioner of Housing and Human Services charged with housing programs, youth, senior, women and veteran services.

Her dedication to service is further exemplified by her nearly decade-long involvement on the Executive Board of Directors of Girls Inc. of Long Island. Attard is a member of the Energeia Partnership Class of 2019.

About FCA

FCA is a not-for-profit agency helping more than 35,000 Long Islanders each year. For nearly 140 years, the organization has worked to protect and strengthen vulnerable children, seniors, families, and communities on Long Island.

FCA believes in the potential of Long Island – a place where no child, senior, family or community is left to struggle alone with barriers to health care, education, employment, or economic prosperity. Long Island continues to be one of the greatest places in the world to live and raise a family for many; FCA exists to ensure that be the case for all.

For more information about FCA, visit FCALI.org.

METRO photo.

An anonymous caller posing as a member of the Port Jeff Village code enforcement targeted a local business Jan. 4, demanding immediate payment for an alleged outstanding violation. The caller was reported to have requested the business to send money immediately electronically.

The village authorities were quick to respond to this scam, issuing a warning to all residents and local businesses. The affected business reported the fraudulent call on the morning of Jan. 5, prompting immediate action from code enforcement.

Port Jefferson Village code enforcement chief Andy Owen emphasized in a statement that the village officers “will never call your business demanding money.” He urged residents and businesses to remain vigilant. 

“We want to assure and alert the community that this is, in fact, a scam, and we are actively working to prevent further incidents,” Owen said in a statement to the community.

The village code enforcement team is collaborating with Suffolk County Police Department to investigate the matter thoroughly. Anyone who receives suspicious calls or demands for immediate payment is urged to report them immediately to both Suffolk police and the village Code Enforcement Bureau.

In light of this incident, the community is advised to be cautious of unsolicited calls, especially those demanding immediate payments. The Port Jeff Village code enforcement team is actively working on increasing awareness and implementing measures to prevent such scams in the future.

With the increased presence of technology in our communities, scams of all kinds are on the rise. According to TechReport, “Daily, one out of every 10 calls is a scam call.” Additionally, TechReport statistics reveal that scam calls increase by the year. From the source’s scam call trend, there was an increase of 118% in 2021 from 2020.

Suffolk County residents are reporting increased scam calls, with fraudsters employing tactics such as posing as utility companies, enforcement authorities or even distant relatives in distress. The rise in these deceptive practices has prompted local authorities to collaborate with telecommunications providers to explore ways to combat and trace these illicit activities.

In lieu of the recent uptick in reported scams, New York State Attorney General Letitia James (D) issued an alert advising residents to take the following precautions to safeguard themselves from falling victim to scams:

Never give your personal or financial information to someone who calls you. Think of the phone as a “one-way street” — only give out personal information if you made the call. Be sure to verify that the phone number is legitimate.

Don’t engage the caller. Scammers can manipulate caller ID so that it appears to be an “official” call or a call from your city or town. Only answer calls when you recognize the number. If you do answer, hang up if it seems like a scam, or consider using a call-blocking app.

Government agencies usually reach out to you in writing. A government agency will not call you, threaten your arrest or demand payment. 

Residents and business owners are urged to report any suspicious calls or demands to the authorities. 

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Pictured from left, Suffolk County Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey, Vince Calvosa, Martin Dettling, Anthony Bartone, Paolo Pironi, Ken Abrami and Rob Cartelli

The Long Island Builders Institute (LIBI), the region’s largest advocacy association for the homebuilding and remodeling industries in New York State, recently announced the induction of their new officers for 2024. According to a press release, the LIBI represents over 700 builders, remodelers, and associate members and acts to advance the interests of the industry by regularly communicating with local and state government, engaging in community outreach, and working to expand its member’s business networks.

Newly sworn in Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine delivered opening remarks that focused on emphasizing the importance of LIBI and promising to work with the organization during his term. “Let’s cut the red tape,” County Executive Romaine said, “I want to make it a little bit easier for this industry to work in Suffolk County.”

Suffolk County Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey inducted the new officers at the group’s first board meeting and dinner of the year. The new executive officers for LIBI are as follows: President Martin Dettling of the Albanese Organization, Chairman Vincent Calvosa of the Calvosa Organization, Vice President Anthony Bartone of Terwilliger & Bartone Properties, Associate Vice President Robert Cartelli of Outstanding Plumbing & Heating, Treasurer Jon Weiss of B2K Development, Secretary Ken Abrami of TRITEC Real Estate, and 2nd Vice President Paolo Pironi of Pironi Homes.

“I have seen the economic engine that this industry creates for our downtowns first hand,” added Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey.

“Martin Dettling brings a tremendous amount of skill, success and industry knowledge to the table and myself and the rest of the LIBI members look forward to working under his leadership to advance the interests of the homebuilding and remodeling industries on Long Island and across the state,” said LIBI CEO Mike Florio.

“I am honored to serve as President of such a dynamic and influential organization,” said newly inducted LIBI President Martin Dettling of the Albanese Organization. “I am dedicated to advancing this association through growth and collaboration in order to reinforce Long Island’s homebuilding and remodeling industry.”

“I was honored to serve as President this past year, and I am excited to see what President Dettling has planned for LIBI in 2024 and support him in his endeavors” said Former President, now Chairman, of LIBI Vincent Calvosa of the Calvosa Organization.

Babylon Supervisor Rich Schaffer inducted the new officers for the Long Island Builders Institute’s charitable partner, Long Island Home Builders Care. The charity’s new officers are as follows: President Jay Ratto of J Ratto Landscaping, Vice President Alan Kennemer of Express Kitchen, Treasurer Grant Havasy of Blue & Gold Homes, and Secretary Dave Bloom of Pine Aire Truck Services.

“Without Long Island Home Builders Care, we in Babylon would not have been able to sufficiently supply enough food and school supplies to families in need,” said Babylon Supervisor Rich Schaffer.

About Long Island Builders Institute

Since 1941, Long Island Builders Institute (LIBI) has been the voice of the building industry on Long Island. They are a not-for-profit trade association representing all facets of the building industry, including over 730 members including builders, remodelers, developers, suppliers, tradespeople, and professionals. To learn more, please visit www.libi.org.

Gurwin Jewish Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Commack has been recognized on Newsweek Magazine’s list of America’s Best Nursing Homes 2024, securing a top 15 spot on the list of Best Nursing Homes in New York 2024.

Compiled in partnership with global data research firm Statista, Newsweek’s annual ranking evaluates skilled nursing providers throughout the United States.  Data used to determine the best nursing homes is culled from five sources, including Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services performance data, peer survey data, management of COVID-19, as well as accreditation and resident satisfaction data from The Joint Commission and Commission.

“We are extremely proud of our continued recognition on Newsweek’s top nursing home list,” said Stuart B. Almer, President and CEO of Gurwin Healthcare System. “To be acknowledged once again for providing the highest quality healthcare services is a testament of the hard work and dedication of our entire team, and the compassionate, person-centered care they provide to all those who turn to Gurwin in their time of need.” For more information, visit www.gurwin.org.

Jefferson's Ferry

Jefferson’s Ferry, a Life Plan community located in South Setauket, was recently named among the top nursing homes in New York State by U.S. News and World report. Jefferson’s Ferry received a 5 out of 5 rating overall, also achieving the top (3 out of 3) high performance rating in multiple categories including short term rehabilitation and long term care.

The rigorous U.S. News & World Report standards for Best Nursing Homes in New York is determined by state-conducted health inspections, nursing staffing and medical quality measures. They evaluate more than 15,000 nursing homes on care, safety, infection rates, staffing and health inspections. Of the more than 600 nursing homes in New York, Jefferson’s Ferry stood out as one of the best in the state and one of only 10 recognized for excellence on Long Island.

“Being named among the Best Nursing Homes in New York is a great honor and a testament to the outstanding care our exceptional staff provides each day to every resident,” said Bob Caulfield, President and Chief Executive Officer of Jefferson’s Ferry. “We take great pride in cultivating and recognizing the exceptional talent and compassion demonstrated by our staff, which has a direct impact on the superior care we provide to our residents. This is what is at the heart of Jefferson’s Ferry.”

Anthony Comerford, Vice President of Health Services at Jefferson’s Ferry concurred and added, “This prestigious acknowledgement not only showcases Jefferson’s Ferry commitment to providing outstanding care and service to its residents, it is especially gratifying to our staff and management to have their commitment and professionalism documented by such a well recognized outside authority.” For more information visit www.jeffersonsferry.org

From left, Mary Joy Pipe, PJCC Director; Caitlin Thomson, Kiddsmiles Office Manager; Lance (husband to Dr. Alstodt); Dr. Michele Alstodt, owner of Kiddsmiles Port Jeff Station; Stu Vincent, PJCC President; and Amanda Saviano Kiddsmiles Regional Manager. Photo from PJCC

The Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce welcomed new partner Kiddsmiles Pediatric Dentistry with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Nov. 16. 

Located at 1174 Route 112, Suite B, in Port Jefferson Station, the office is the 3rd location in Suffolk County along with Holbrook and North Babylon and is equipped with the latest state of the art technology including laser dentistry (no needle fillings), digital x-rays and computer imaging in a kid-friendely environment.

Pictured in photo from left, Mary Joy Pipe, PJCC Director; Caitlin Thomson, Kiddsmiles Office Manager; Lance (husband to Dr. Alstodt); Dr. Michele Alstodt, owner of Kiddsmiles Port Jeff Station; Stu Vincent, PJCC President; and Amanda Saviano, Kiddsmiles Regional Manager.

“Thank you to the Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce and the incredible community for their warm welcome and support.Our team is beyond excited to bring our specialized pediatric dental care to Port Jefferson Station. Come visit us at our new location and experience the Kiddsmiles difference firsthand! We can’t wait to meet you and your little ones,” read a post from Kiddsmiles’ Facebook after the ribbon cutting.

Office hours are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., closed Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. For more information, call   631-254-5437 or visit www.kiddsmiles.com/port-jefferson-station.

Ann Emrick. Photo courtesy of BNL

Ann Emrick of East Patchogue has been named Deputy Director for Operations at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory, effective Oct. 1. Emrick, a longtime Brookhaven Lab employee, takes over from Jack Anderson, who stepped down at the end of September after 10 years in the position.

In her new role, Emrick will oversee organizations that provide the bulk of support services for the Lab, including operation and maintenance of more than 300 buildings, several of which are unique, world-class scientific facilities. She will also work closely with Lab Director JoAnne Hewett, Deputy Director for Science & Technology John Hill, and the rest of the Lab’s senior leadership team on day-to-day operations and strategic planning for the Lab’s future.

“I’m excited to have Ann join Brookhaven’s leadership team,” said Laboratory Director JoAnne Hewett. “She brings tremendous experience and knowledge of the Lab, combined with enthusiasm for the role.”

During Emrick’s 36 years at Brookhaven Lab, she has served in progressively more impactful leadership roles across Brookhaven, the Battelle-affiliated labs, and the DOE complex. Most recently, Emrick was the directorate chief operating officer (DCOO) for the Lab’s Environment, Biology, Nuclear Science & Nonproliferation Directorate, the Computational Science Initiative, and the Advanced Technology Research Office.

“I am honored to have been selected for this position and thrilled to be working alongside JoAnne Hewett, John Hill, and the rest of the Lab leadership team at this exciting time at Brookhaven,” said Emrick. “The Lab’s future is bright with the Electron-Ion Collider project underway and our many scientific programs achieving impressive results. I plan to do my best to ensure operational excellence and to make Brookhaven Lab the best place for doing science.”

Torte Jeff Pie Co. Photo by Heidi Sutton

Thanksgiving is a time to connect with loved ones, enjoy a meal and express thanks for our many blessings. And for many, it marks the Last Supper before weeks of bustling traffic and relentless shopping.

We remind our readers, as they prepare their shopping lists, of the monumental importance of patronizing local businesses.

Mom-and-pop stores are the backbone of our local economy. Without them, our community would be diminished.

Vacant storefronts are all too familiar along the North Shore. These blights are not only eyesores but a reflection of recent disruption and struggle for our commercial sectors.

E-commerce continues to precipitously harm local downtowns, siphoning away customers and setting unsustainable market rates for smaller vendors who lack the bulk purchasing power to compete.

COVID-19 lockdowns further accelerated the decline of small businesses. In many cases, Amazon and a few other prominent web retailers were the only options available for consumers.

Local mom and pops are struggling to stay afloat today. But crucially, they depend upon our patronage. And we depend upon their survival.

Unlike the conglomerates, small business owners create jobs and pay taxes within our community. When we support them, the dollars we spend stay here, recirculating back into our local economy instead of shipping off to some distant corporate headquarters.

And aren’t we all tired of seeing these massive megastores and online retailers cornering the market, consolidating more power and desecrating our downtowns?

On Long Island and across America, the predatory and monopolistic practices of Big Business are forcing smaller retailers to shutter. And rather than resisting this stranglehold on our local markets, we willingly participate in the game, prostrating ourselves at the altar of sweet deals and unbeatable prices.

In the Faustian bargains of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, we trade away the soul of our community for a 20% discount. In failing to patronize local businesses, we complicitly enable the decline of our commercial districts and are accountable for the potential loss of our community as we know it.

Through our dollars, we can speak truth to entrenched power and wealth. We can shop locally despite the hot deals elsewhere. We can choose to invigorate our small businesses, knowing that if we don’t, no one else will.

This Saturday, Nov. 25, marks the 13th annual National Small Business Saturday. We ask our readers to come out in force, prioritizing the local storefronts in our community. And then, we must continue supporting them for the remainder of the season and throughout the year.

Our actions will determine the face of our area, so let’s all do our part — because when we shop small, we are all enriched.

Ribbon cutting for D.K. Brothers. Photo from WMHO

The Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO) hosted ribbon cutting ceremonies for three Stony Brook Village Center establishments — D.K. Brothers by Madison’s Niche,  Michael Macrina Architect and Village Hair Studio — on Oct. 24.

Ribbon cutting for D.K. Brothers

D.K. Brothers by Madison’s Niche is a boutique offering a curated collection of men’s apparel, lifestyle gifts, and luxury pet accessories by the owners of Madison’s Niche in Stony Brook Village Center. Guests can expect to shop popular men’s clothing brands like Tommy Bahama, UGG, Ralph Lauren, Levi’s and many more. Plus, they have a wide selection of products for a man’s best friend with a section of the store dedicated to pet products like special outfits, accessories, toys, bowls, beds, treats, and more. 

In 2012, Karen McAvoy established Madison’s Niche, drawing inspiration from and naming it after her daughter, Madison. Her daughter Madison has recently joined the business as Vice President. Alike Madison’s Niche, D.K. Brothers takes its concept and name from Karen’s sons, Daniel and Kenneth. 

D.K. Brothers is located at 97K Main Street in Stony Brook Village. They are open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call 631-779-6457.

Ribbon cutting for MMA

Michael Macrina Architect (MMA) has moved their office into the heart of Stony Brook Village. MMA was previously located at the corner of 25A and Main Street for the past 11 years. Established in 2006, MMA has been in business for 17 years and handles all permits required for construction and renovation. They offer interior & exterior renovations, residential architecture, exterior facelifts, new additions, new homes and more. To learn more about Michael Macrina Architect, call 631-686-6585 or visit www.mmarchitectaia.com.

Ribbon cutting for Village Hair Studio. Photo from WMHO

Village Hair Studio is a hair salon designed to create a luxurious and relaxing atmosphere for any client. They are currently offering haircuts, hair coloring, hair smoothing treatments, make-up services and bridal services. In addition, they offer massages and facials to enhance the beauty and relaxation experience. The salon will soon provide special hair and makeup services for those experiencing hair loss from diseases like alopecia or cancer. 

The Village Hair Studio is located at 97D Main Street in Stony Brook Village. They are open Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. To make an appointment call 631-675-0987 or visit https://www.villagehairstudiony.com/.

The ribbon cuttings were attended by Michael Ardolino, Assistant Secretary, Three Village Chamber of Commerce (3VC); Carmine Inserra, Vice President, 3VC; Ed Flood, NYS Assemblyman; Robert Fonti, representing Suffolk County Executive, Steve Bellone; Madison McAvoy, Vice President of Madison’s Niche; Karen McAvoy, Proprietor of Madison’s Niche and D.K. Brothers; Ed Romaine, Town of Brookhaven Supervisor; Gloria Rocchio, President, The Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO); Dr. Richard Rugen, Chairman, WMHO; Jonathan Kornreich, Councilman, Town of Brookhaven; Alexander Piccirillo, representing Senator Anthony Palumbo; Martha Stansbury, Treasurer, 3VC; Ken Kroncke, Board Member, 3VC; Mary Van Tuyl, Trustee, WMHO; Charles Napoli, Trustee, WMHO; Emily McAvoy; Daniel McAvoy; Kenneth McAvoy; Kenneth McAvoy Jr.; Chuck Lohmann, Trustee, WMHO; Daniel J. Panico, Deputy Supervisor and Councilman, Town of Brookhaven; Charlie Lefkowitz, President, 3VC; Collette Frey-Bitzas, 2nd Vice President, 3VC; and Thomas McLaughlin, representing Senator Mario Mattera.