East End Business Notebook: Montauk Business Cries Foul

SOUTHAMPTON

When real estate developers Jim and Jim Eckel, father and son, decided to get into the restaurant business, they envisioned an eatery that would be upscale and would satisfy discerning customers in Southampton — while having something for everyone.

They brought in friend David Wiesneski, who has more than 25 years of experience in food service, to be manager and co-owner, and opened  at their shopping center at 850 County Road 39.

Wiesneski said they aim to appeal to local families, as well as seasonal visitors and the trade parade that travels past on the highway.

NORTH FORK

Sunshine and blue skies set the stage for scores of residents who turned out to taste the best produce Suffolk County has to offer and enjoy a day of family fun in Yaphank on Friday.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone hosted  "Celebrate Grown on Long Island Day," where Long Island farmers gathered for the largest farmers market on Long Island — and fun for the entire family.

The event featured wagon rides, tours, locally produced food and wine, Long Island's largest farmers' market, family activities, and farm animals.

EAST HAMPTON

Wearing red T-shirts with American flags and the words, “tUnited We Stand,” about 100 employees and supporters of  nightclub and restaurant attended Tuesday's East Hampton Town Board work session in Montauk, claiming the town has unfairly treated the business.

In a discussion which took an hour and a half, many spoke for and against the numerous violations they have received for noise and overcrowding.

“There seems to be an attitude that the Sloppy Tuna, which employs 39 locals out of 59 total employees, is a fly-by-night business that is not responsible,” said Kieran Conlon, an attorney representing the business.

WESTHAMPTON-HAMPTON BAYS

Westhampton developer  is taking his fight to construct a 40,000 square-foot supermarket to the Internet. On Tuesday, he created an online petition, asking for signatures in support of a zone change that would allow his plan to come to fruition on 4.2 acres on Old Riverhead Road.

"It's a wild card," said Mendelson, who said that aside from online signatures, he also has supporters on the ground, knocking on doors for signatures. The petition is also available in some local shops.

RIVERHEAD

Riverhead Town is set to take a major step toward sustainability.

Councilman George Gabrielsen said a special town board meeting is scheduled for Thursday to vote on awarding a bid for a renewable energy project at the Riverhead Town landfill on Youngs Avenue.

The landfill, which has long been a financial drain on the town, could soon be generating profits, after a solar farm is sited on the parcel.