Working on Riverhead: Renovations, New Business Openings Around Town

CHANGE - nothing stays the same! Riverhead is an ever-changing and ever-evolving town. It has gone from a farm town to a town filled with retail stores galore. Roads have been redirected and Main Street still echos the ghosts of department stores from the past. But a lot of that is changing.

This spring if you drive around town you will see will see a lot of construction, leveled parking lots and activity in recently vacated, as well as long empty buildings. There are a lot of new business coming in. There are some facelifts and makeovers and there are some tremendous additions. While there are a lot of new developments around town, Main Street is getting its share of change with several new restaurants, planned artist community and most noticeably -- the new hotel being built adjacent to .

The viewfinder this week takes a peek of what is new and renewed in town. Browse through the photos to see what's going on, what's new and what's going up. There are a lot of exciting changes unfolding along with the spring blossoms.

Here is a summary of what the viewfinder found:

The Turkish restaurant by the river has changed hands and is now   which is transforming from a take-out eatery into fine dining riverside.

Long Ireland Beer Company is a microbrewery currently being built in the former Agway building on Pulaski Street in Polish Town. 

. the oldest Polish church in Long Island is getting a major facelift.

 was recently renovated by the original owners, back to a time in the past.

- opened in the fall and is a consignment shop in the former Ben Franklin crafts store.

is a contemporary casual restaurant that will open in the former Chase bank on Main Street.

The renovation of Grangabel Park, which the Peconic River runs through, was complete just before winter set in, with a new paved arena, lots of seating and vast scenic views.

Off Main Market & Kitchen will be coming soon to the former Peconic Bakery location on Osborn Ave at the edge of Polish Town, by the railroad tracks.

OMG! How Cute  is a specialty gift and novelty shop recently opened and located across from Salvation Army.

is a continuing renovation which is moving along nicely - slated to be a performing arts center,.

The old Suffolk Life building on Rte 58 was recently leveled and is going to be a new

Our first  Peconic Riverfront community garden,  is making their home on West Main Street, near Griffin Ave.

The former Casa Rica is now being transformed into  -  a family-style barbecue and grill.