More than three dozen community members rally to support Pentimento
Residents gathered outside Pentimento on Sunday to show support for the restaurant, which is set to close its doors on Sept. 30. The business has been a staple in Stony Brook Village Center for 27 years.

Standing at the entrance of the restaurant with pizza boxes, cardboard strips and homemade picket signs reading “Save Penti!” and “Good Neighbors Deserve Better Treatment!” a few dozen locals made sure to exhibit their concerns for the struggling business.
“I loved watching them grow,” said Sharon Goetchius, of Stony Brook. “It is such a warm place, and the food is amazing. It’s got everything, and the way this is all going down is really unfortunate.”
On July 29, Pentimento posted on its Facebook page that it was unable to extend the term of its lease and will be looking to relocate in or around the Three Village area.
Disappointed that Eagle Realty Holdings didn’t negotiate a new lease for the long-standing restaurant, locals are hoping to garner support throughout the community, making sure their voices are heard and the restaurant stays.
“They should turn this around and extend their lease, that is the ethically right thing to do,” Goetchius said.
“Because of all the COVID madness, the renewing of the lease kind of slipped through the cracks, although they always intended to renew.” said Lisa Blake, of St. James. “Rather than extending some kindness and neighborliness, the landlord is saying, ‘No, you missed that little window, so you’re out of here.’”
According to Gloria Rocchio, president of Eagle Realty Holdings, along with not renewing the lease in time, the business also failed to comply with the maintenance of its septic system. However, Chelsea Gomez, a former employee of 15 years at Pentimento, said she highly disagrees with this statement.
“I have firsthand knowledge of how often we had to pump the septic system, so I know that the owners were doing everything they could to maintain it,” Gomez said. “This is not a case of neglect or that they didn’t want to spend the money to fix it. They’ve always done everything they can to maintain not only the septic system but everything about this restaurant, too.”
Loyal customers reflected on their fond memories of Pentimento Restaurant, from celebrating weddings, anniversaries, birthdays to just a simple night out to dinner — it seems the business has played a part in every customer’s life.
“I’ve come here throughout my childhood, and it’s such an integral part of the community that I don’t want it to go away,” said Julia Lopinto, a Setauket resident. “It’s a quaint, homey place that has strong roots in this community, and us being here today is evidence of how willing we are to defend it.”
For Rocchio’s and Cusumano’s reaction to the rally, read WMHO president, restaurant manager respond to residents’ cries.