East End Business Notebook: End of an Era as Local Theater Closes

NORTH FORK

To North Fork Promotion Council President Joan Bischoff van Heemskerck, there are so many more aspects of the North Fork outside of wineries to enjoy for locals and tourists — 42 aspects, to be exact, if you look on www.northfork.org. It’s just that not too many people outside of a 100-mile radius know about the North Fork’s wide variety of beaches, antique stores, museums, shopping districts, fresh local produce, festivals, concerts, golf courses, boating and other water sports opportunities and other reasons beyond wine tasting — as important as that industry is for tourism — to visit the area.

With the creation of a new marketing committee and an upcoming presentation from Dr. Lalia Rach, a former dean of New York Univeristy and noted specialist on tourism, van Heemskerck said he hopes to “focus on the synergies already happening on the North Fork and bring people together.”

WESTHAMPTON-HAMPTON BAYS

Business Owner Hopes Beads Will Be Dogs' Best Friends

Helping area animal shelters in a big way has been something that Debbie Foglia of Remsenburg has been wanting to do for a long time, but with four kids and a business to run, kick-starting a fundraising venture has had its challenges. But, Foglia says she has stalled long enough and starting next month, she is putting all her energy into raising money for animals that need homes.

Foglia plans to accomplish her goal through a new community service project called Happy Dog Jewelry, that she will run along with her business partner, Eileen Collins and their children, Anna Collins and Wyatt, Sunny, Quinn, and Hank Foglia.

SOUTHAMPTON

Legislation to allow a new supermarket in Southampton Village's Highway Business District has not only stirred many residents for and against it — the proposal also has the Village Board divided.

At Tuesday evening's board meeting, a vote to amend the legislation to reflect the latest studies was tabled after it became clear that the board members are nowhere near agreement.

The debate arose over the legislation as a whole — not just the proposed amendment, which would have noted within the text of the law that existing grocery shopping options within the village have dwindled from three to one, and emphasized the Village Comprehensive Plan adopted in 2000.

EAST HAMPTON

Montauk Movie's Closing is End of an Era

Well, it's out in the blogosphere and in the local papers - it's even on Facebook - the Montauk Movie may have closed for good when the 2012 season ended just a few weeks ago. With changes in the way movies are being distributed, it just doesn't make economic sense for the family to make the needed projector conversion. It's sad on so many levels for the community and the family (and yes, I am family).

RIVERHEAD

Friends Celebrate Riverhead Diner & Grill's 80th Anniversary

Just as they have for 80 years, friends and neighbors headed to the Riverhead Diner & Grill on East Main Street on Tuesday for coffee, companionship -- and a menu filled with comfort food and memories.

Laughter and conversation flowed as freely as the coffee as a crowd of residents gathered at the Riverhead Diner & Grill to celebrate the eatery's 80th anniversary.

To commemorate the event, the Landmark Preservation Commission hosted  an afternoon of shared stories and memories of days gone by.