Bits and pieces: Local business updates (Did someone say lobster roll?)

Busineses are opening, closing and expanding in and around Northport/East Northport. Here’s a rundown of the latest business updates in our area.

Best Move Fashions
After three decades on Wall Street, Fran Lanaia has chosen a much easier commute. Not quite ready to retire, the longtime Fort Salonga resident opened Best Move Fashions, a clothing store specializing in menswear, in November and has been pleased with her reception from the community so far. “There’s no men’s store around here,” Lanaia told the Journal during a visit late last week. She decided to fill the void and thinks customers – men shopping alone and women shopping for the men in their lives – appreciate the availability.

Clothing options range from casual wear to dress shirts and accessories, “something you can wear to work or wear out,” Lanaia said. Brands showcased in the store include Public Rec, “absurdly comfortable athleisure clothes you’ll want to live in,” according to Men’s Health magazine, and the veteran-owned-and-operated Nine Line. A small selection of women’s and kids’ clothing is also available.

Lanaia is building up her social media presence while getting used to the business; stop in to 814 Fort Salonga Road (next to Hipsters) anytime this month for specials up to 20% off your purchase. Call 631-240-2020 for more information.

Coming soon
Mama Chan’s Dumpling and Noodle House
Honoring the home-cooking of their mother, siblings Diana and Justin Chan will soon be opening their own dumpling and noodle house in Northport, at 1014 Fort Salonga Road (formerly Gin 45). “Mama Chan’s will be rooted in my mother’s recipes but with a modern twist,” Diana told the Journal. She is expecting Mama Chan’s to open in mid to late January. Follow them here.

Shrimpy’s Burrito Bar
The owners of Shrimpy’s Burrito Bar are anticipating a late February/early March opening of this beach-themed, California-styled restaurant with a “twist of New York flavor.” Shrimpy’s signed a 10-year lease at the 650 Fort Salonga location, diagonal from Stop and Shop (and formerly a Dunkin’ Donuts). For more information on Shrimpy’s, including how to book the Shrimpy truck, click here.

Symi
News quickly went viral when popular Northport restaurant Vespa closed in October. Greek restaurant Symi (whose family is affiliated with the well-known Kyma restaurants in Roslyn and Manhattan) is moving in, with an anticipated open date of mid-March. Exterior and interior renovations are currently taking place. “We cannot wait to serve the Northport community with our Greek cuisine,” owner Irena Angeliades told the Journal back in October.

Caracara Mexican Grill
Summer 2024 is the expected date of opening for Caracara, an authentic Mexican restaurant with an existing location in Farmingdale. The owners, of Besito fame, secured the 4,000-square-foot space (previously a pizzeria and card store next door) years ago but the opening was delayed. Caracara is located at 356 Larkfield Road in East Northport, next to Lidl.

A good sign
Following the likes of Fattusco’s Pizzeria (1019 Fort Salonga Road, Northport), which expanded into the space next door this past July and quadrupled their seating, and Hydrangea Home, which late last year took over the entire building (formerly shared with Cow Harbor Realty) at 67 Main Street in Northport Village, is Harborview Jewelers in Northport Village. The Main Street jewelers took down the wall separating its location from Computerworks, which was next door, more than doubling its space and display areas. Owner Barbara Buoniello gets a little emotional when talking about her business; she’s a third generation jeweler and established gemologist and intends to pass the business on to her daughter and business partner, Carolanne. Insider tip: Barbara’s talent and passion for custom work transforms and updates heirloom pieces into unique and wearable jewelry this local journalist is very appreciative of. For more information, check out Harborview Jewelers’ (260 Main Street) Facebook page here.

Closing, but staying online
Tin Rooster at 377 Fort Salonga Road in Northport is having limited items sales before it closes its brick-and-mortar doors for good on February 29. Hours are Monday through Sunday, from 11 to 5pm (closed Tuesdays).

Tin Rooster will transition to a click-and-order business model at the close of February, according to owner Susan Dittrich. The antique, artisan and vintage collective opened in March 2020, persevered through the pandemic, and “made beautiful connections with customers and new friendships developed,” Dittrich said in a social media post. “Tin Rooster was a collaboration of dealers who love the business and have a passion for vintage and antiques. Our artisans created beautiful works of art that gave Tin Rooster a different twist than many of the other shops. I am eternally grateful for this experience and all I learned about life, people and how to succeed during difficult times.”

Tin Rooster will continue its social media presence come March, so stay tuned for updates.

Closed
Mari’s Hallmark
Devoted customers of Mari’s Hallmark at 395 Fort Salonga Road (in the Guinta’s shopping lot) left heartfelt tributes on social media after the store’s end-of-year closing. Regular visitors to the card and gift store spoke of the friendships they developed with store owners Bob and Mari over the years, the store’s coziness and comfort, reminiscent of decades long ago, where everyone was a familiar face and helpful hand. “Thanks for the years, your support, friendships, the smiles,” read a sign on the store’s windows this week.

Northport Harbor Delicatessen, aka Rob’s Deli
Another local treasure with nearly five decades of history and a long list of regulars, Northport Harbor Delicatessen on Main Street in Northport quietly closed last month. “The Breidenbach family would like to thank friends, customers, and community for all their support for the past 48 years,” a sign on the window reads. Word on the street is that a lobster roll shop is moving in, although that has not been officially confirmed.