Local Long Island Businesses - #shoplocal

Home Fries

One of the challenges of owning a café that fronts the Glen Head Train Station is that often, customers are in a big hurry. “It’s a challenge,” says owner Lisa Desanti who, along with her brother and co-owner, Charlie Jennette, opened Home Fries in May of this year. “Especially when commuters come in to place their order as the train is roaring down the track.”

But the sister-brother team is up to the challenge: “We always do the best we can to give the fastest service and I don’t believe anybody has missed a train yet—or, at least I hope not.”

The tiny café serves breakfast and lunch, Monday through Friday from 7 am to 2pm. “We have a small outdoor seating area, that is a great place to relax with friends or just have a quiet meal alone while you relax and unwind,” says Desanti.

While the Home Fries name suggests breakfast as a heavy hitter, the café’s menu is diverse and creative. Everything is prepared homemade “not something warmed up in the microwave,” says Desanti. “Our most popular breakfast item is, without a doubt, a scrambled egg, American cheese and bacon, on a crispy roll with a little salt, pepper and ketchup,” she says. But, there are also daily lunch specials: two of the most popular are Sloppy Joes Tuesdays and Crab Cake Fridays. And, the daily menu features additional specials including BBQ pulled pork, chicken parmigiana, and grilled chicken with melted cheese and fried peppers—to complement regular menu goodies such as omelets, waffles, burgers and smoothies. And, with the anticipation of fall and winter, Desanti says, “I am excited to bring in an array of soups, as well as hot oatmeal, for those cold wintery mornings.” Bonus: Customers can visit the website (see below) to print out a coupon for a 10 percent discount. And, senior citizens always receive 10 percent off.

Desanti has been it the food business since a young girl. Her uncle owned a well-known restaurant in Manhattan where her mother was the general manger, her aunt the weekend manager, another uncle the bartender and all of her cousins, as well as she and her brother worked throughout the years as wait staff, assistant managers and delivery people. “I remember those times as fun and educational,” says Desanti. “I learned what good, home-style food was all about.”

Desanti says that her brother has always dreamed of opening his own place. “We are both beyond thrilled that his dream has become a reality. My brother had been looking for a place for a long time that was in a good neighborhood, that was manageable in terms of size and that was financially doable. He spotted the café listed on Craigslist, spoke to the previous owner on the phone and he knew in his heart that this was the place for him, sight unseen.”

Desanti lives in the same Whitestone, Queens neighborhood where she grew up, as does Jennette. However, that may change. “I will say that not if, but when, I decide to move to Long Island, I will be moving to Glen Head. I really like it here and I cannot say enough about the business owners in the area, like Gem Craft Boutique and Extravagant Realty. We feel very blessed and thank them for all of their help and support.”

In addition to new menu items for the fall and winter, Desanti is considering a frequent coffee buyers’ club to serve the daily commuter crowd. The café may also extend hours to include Saturdays. “We feel that busy moms and dads and locals who are running around and taking their kids to sports events and running errands may just enjoy a cup of our great coffee and a bite to eat.”

Home Fries is located at 1 Station Plaza, 516-399-2255

Long Island Real Estate helping Fight Hunger

Extravagant Realty INVITES THE PUBLIC TO HELP FIGHT HUNGER Realtors Against Hunger (RAH) collecting donations of non perishable food items

Extravagant Realty is joining the Long Island Board of Realtors® (LIBOR) initiative, Realtors® Against Hunger, to fight hunger in our local communities. Realtors® Against Hunger (RAH) will be collecting donations of non perishable food items from September 1st – December 31st. During that time period, the public is encouraged to drop off canned and dry food donations at Extravagant Realty , 15 Glen Head Road, Glen Head NY 11545 between the hours of 9am to 5pm. This collection drive will support efforts to provide food to hundreds of local food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and other programs that feed the hungry. LIBOR is working with several strategic partners to ensure proper distribution of food to outlets in Nassau, Suffolk and Queens Counties. “With more than 300,000 children and adults facing hunger or potential malnutrition in the region the Long Island Board of Realtors must respond to the needs of our communities, especially in these difficult times,” said Liz English, LIBOR President.

Realtors® Against Hunger (RAH) is part of the Long Island Board of Realtor®’s “We’re More Than Realtors®” initiative that supports numerous programs and charitable community organizations. A kick-off celebration for the campaign will be hosted at Bethpage Ballpark in Islip at the start of the Long Island Ducks baseball game.

Food donations can be brought to Realtor Service Centers in Jackson Heights, West Babylon, Riverhead and Woodbury as well as local Realtor offices such as Extravagant Realty . “We cannot stand by and watch our communities struggle. The impact of the economy and the escalating cost of fuel and other challenges is negatively impacting families throughout Long Island. Many families must now choose between paying for a tank of gas to get to work or feeding their family. We will work diligently to help our communities by filling these pantries and making an impact in the fight against hunger here on Long Island,” explained Michelle Magrino, Extravagant Realty .   For additional info call 516-232-8885.

Pop up Market comes to Long Island

Support local businesses and celebrate the diverse food and craft culture found on Long Island and across the region by taking a visit to Lange Eylandt Market located at The Milleridge Inn -585 North Broadway, Jericho, NY 11753.

I took a visit there on Sunday, September 30th and enjoy walking around the quiant village and visiting the vendors.  It is every Sunday until October 28th so don't delay!

For more details visit their website at http://www.langeeylandtmarket.com/

October - Meet Our Neighbor "Minuteman Press" in Glen Cove

Minuteman Press Glen Cove

I am excited to feature “Meet our Neighbor” series. Each month I spotlight one of our fabulous North Shore business neighbors. This month, we talk shop with Minuteman Press in Glen Cove.

 

In business for 31 years, Minuteman Press has seen the printing business evolve through the decades and has worked hard to keep up—and ahead—of the dizzying number of changes. “We have positioned ourselves to be on the cutting edge of the digital printing revolution,” says owner Alan Goldberg. “We can accept any kind of file and output it on the latest digital presses.”

An industrial arts major in college, Goldberg began his career as an industrial arts education teacher in New York City and a school administrator on Long Island. When he decided to embark on a new journey, “the printing business was a natural fit” he says.

The North Shore business community is tight and, Goldberg says, neighboring businesses have been helpful in helping Minuteman Press grow and continue to do so. “Keeping business local is key,” he says.

Goldberg knows a little something about keeping it local. He lived in Glen Cove for 35 years before relocating to Port Washington five years ago. And, while Minuteman Press has been in its current Glen Street location for five years, the business has been in Glen Cove for more than three decades.

Minuteman Press specializes in business communication services, as well as packaging and shipping. Among the services offered are: booklets, brochures, business cards, calendars, carbonless forms, digital copies, direct mail printing, catalogs, coupons, flyers, invitations, labels, holiday cards, postcards, newsletters and menus.

Of course, with the Internet, there are many more opportunities for growth, as well as much more competition. Minuteman Press now has an online store “where anyone can design and order business cards, letterhead, envelopes and flyers online,” says Goldberg adding, “We also have a wonderfully designed website with a high SEO ranking.”

So, how do you stay competitive in an electronic age? “We will beat any price,” Goldberg insists.

Customer requests in the printing and copying business have also changed through the years, says Goldberg. The most popular request in year’s past? “Copies,” he says. And the most popular request today? “Business cards.” says Goldberg.

Of course, the company has also had their share of odd requests through the many years it has been in business. The oddest? “When Minuteman ran a promotion that featured a clock as a promotional item, one customer requested a psychic reading instead of the clock,” he says.

So, what does the future hold for the printing and copying industry and Minuteman Press? “The trend is toward digital printing and getting away from offset printing on a printing press, a trend that will increase in the years ahead as newer technology develops” says Goldberg.

And, who knows, maybe a psychic reading promotion.

Minuteman Press is located at 63 ½ Glen Street, Glen Cove. Contact them at 516-676-7718, mmpgc@aol.com, minutemanglencove.com