East End Business Notebook: Culinary Changes Afoot on the North Fork

WESTHAMPTON-HAMPTON BAYS

Open for the Season: Dockers Waterside

Larry Hoffman, owner of Dockers Waterside in East Quogue, says when his restaurant opened for its 24rd season on March 15, customers found some changes, including a new bar room and dock.

SOUTHAMPTON

Tuckahoe Affordable Housing Project Back on the Table

An affordable housing project planned for Tuckahoe that was stalled by the Great Recession is back on the table, with revisions to reflect the current state of the housing market.

The new plan calls for 32 rental units, a mix of one-bedrooms and studio apartments, spread among four buildings. The original proposal, which received unanimous Town Board approval as a planned development district in February 2009, called for 16 two-bedrooms condos, in four buildings.

Jon Sirkin, of Vesta Development, based in Manhattan and Bridgehampton, said Monday that he purchased a 2.6-acre lot at 161 Sandy Hollow Rd. about six years ago with affordable housing in mind. “We thought that this was something that the community could really use,” he said.

EAST HAMPTON

Pet Shop Purrs Its Way into Wainscott

Dr. Mark Davis opened the doors to a pet supplies store, the newest addition to the South Fork Animal Hospital less than two weeks ago, filling a void left when the pet store next door closed.

The small store carries essentials for dogs, cats, and even small animals, such as rabbits or guinea pigs. Shelves are packed with premium pet food, such as Wellness, Blue Buffalo, Science Diet, Innova, and Eukanuba. The store is staffed with technicians from the attached veterinary practice some of whom have become certified in nutrition.

One of them, Louise Purrazzella, who along with Krista Eckart helped set up the store, said the pricing is competitive with Internet pricing.

RIVERHEAD

New Chef at Jedediah Hawkins Inn

Lia Fallon, well-known owner and chef at Amarelle, a fine dining establishment in Wading River which closed in January, is set to begin a new culinary journey as chef at the Jedediah Hawkins Inn in Jamesport on Friday.

Fallon confirmed Friday that her opening night would be Friday. "It's exciting," she said.

In November, Keith Luce, executive chef and owner at the Jedediah Hawkins Inn/Luce and Hawkins Restaurant in South Jamesport took his leave.

Keith Luce Purchases North Fork Oyster Company

Award-winning chef Keith Luce embarked on a new culinary journey Saturday with an announcement of the purchase of the North Fork Oyster Company in Greenport.

NoFo Hospitality Holding LLC, a new company whose majority shareholder is James Beard award-winning and former White House Chef Luce, announced not only the purchase of the North Fork Oyster Company -- but the creation of a new dining destination in Greenport.