Business & Tech
Business Beat: Boutique Closes, Name Change Does Good, & More
Catch up on the week's biggest business stories from the area.
This week, Patch reported on a variety of business developments across northern and central Suffolk County. Here are the highlights.
MILLER PLACE-ROCKY POINT
After Rough Winter, Rolling Oaks Ready for Season
After Hurricane Sandy and the big blizzard this past February, preparation for the spring was rougher than ever for Rolling Oaks Golf Course in Rocky Point.
According to operations manager John Romashko Jr., over 250 trees came down on the course and had to be removed. Along with that, regular preparations such as filling the sand traps and rolling greens are still underway. The course, however, is already well conditioned for play.
PORT JEFFERSON
Portside Owner Expands With Tex-Mex Eatery
When it comes to the restaurant business, certain best practices exist across all eateries that do well: hiring great employees, developing a compelling menu, listening to customer feedback, making sure everything is fresh.
That's according to Tom Freck, co-owner of East Coast Burrito Co., a new fast-casual Tex-Mex eatery that opened in April at 736 Route 25A in Setauket. Freck and partner Tim Martino are no strangers to the restaurant business: Freck has owned Portside Bar & Grill in Port Jefferson for almost five years, and Martino was a longtime chef at Toast in Port Jefferson.
HAUPPAUGE
Sport Clips, Where Barber Shop Meets Clubhouse, Moves In
Workers on Wednesday were setting up shop for the areas newest spot to grab a haircut ... and check out the big game at the same time.
Sport Clips is set to open in May, and workers on site confirmed they are right on schedule.
SMITHTOWN
Local Cabinet Maker Finds Home At Bull Run Farm
Bank a left or a right off North Country Road and you are easily reminded that St. James and the surrounding area still holds rustic roots and country charm.
Local cabinet maker Glenn Schneider found the peace and charm of an unused farm stand known as Bull Run Farm the right locale to hang his shingle.
KINGS PARK
Main Street Fashion Shop Closes
Almost as quickly as it opened, Olga Fashion and Variedades on Kings Park's Main Street has closed.
The clothing store, which sold men and women’s clothing as well as sneakers, shoes and perfume, opened in January, just a few doors down from another newcomer, Bella Fashion. Owner, Olga Gomez, told Patch back in January that she was already a little nervous about the lack of traffic in her store.
THREE VILLAGE
Name Change Yields Results for Setauket Store
Since changing his store's name to Setauket Cards & Gifts in January, Dave Patel has noticed a change. "A lot more new people came in," he said. "They come in with curiosity. 'It's a card store, what else could they have?'"
COMMACK
600 Mother’s Day Orders at Commack Florist
Next to Valentine's Day, Mother's Day is the busiest time of year for Commack couple George and Linda Karatzas, who own 1-800-Flowers/Commack Florist located at 6572 Jericho Turnpike.
George said that the business has already taken 600 orders for Mother's Day. After 13 years in the business together though, the pair has gotten its timing down to a science.
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