Riverhead Patch's Top 10 Biz Stories

Dee Muma, operator of Dark Horse Catering for the past few years, expanded her operation this fall with the opening of Dark Horse Restaurant. Muma, a longtime Riverhead resident and alreday a downtown Riverhead restaunteur, is hoping Dark Horse is one of several steps toward making downtown a 'live, work, play' environment.

2.

In an effort to save local public radio, Peconic Public Broadcasting successfully raised enough money to purchase 88.3 WLIU-FM. Bridgehampton National Bank and a local individual provided the $850,000 needed for the purchase. This transaction helped insure the continuation of community-based public radio on the East End.

3.

The new location of the Blue Door Gallery was influenced by the course her business took Sani Woessner, the owner of the gallery, began referring to it as a museum, since most people would come in a browse and not purchase. Eventually, people began asking her to frame artwork and therefore her direction of business changed. The gallery changed location and the focus will be on framing rather than artwork.

4.

Pearl Kamer, one of Long Island's best-known economists, predicted that the region's economy will recover within the next three to five years, which would put to rest the 18-month recession that economists say ended in June 2009. Kamer predicts that health care, biotechnology, nanotechnology, green energy and construction industries will be the push behind the recovery.

5.

A newly constructed rail spur leads to Enterprise Park in Calverton. The first trains on the track carried several loads of crushed stone, which provide support and protection for the railroad ties and tracks. The rail lines purpose is to help bring business to the EPCAL with freight access off of the Long Island Rail Road.

Steven Wirth, owner of Digger's Pub on W Main Street downtown, has been seeking financing to brew his own beers at his Irish Pub downtown. Though nothing is yet set in stone, Wirth was hopeful in mid-November to add his own beer selection to the quality brews already on tap at Digger's.

7.

Tree Dilworth bought property in 2004 with hopes of creating a bistro where she could pair her own wine with locally grown food. After years of renovations and delays Dilworth's restaurant, Comtesse Therese Bistro was set to open. With the help of chef Ari Paylou they created the first vineyard-owned restaurant on the North Fork featuring a French Mediterranean menu, using only local ingredients.

8.

A blind wine tasting titled, "The Judgment of Riverhead" took place at Roanoke Vineyards in Riverhead, featuring some of the best wines of Long Island, which were rated against wines from France and California. The event was meant to mimic the Paris Wine Tasting of 1976.

9.

A draft proposal to impose new fees and restriction on Riverhead wineries caused a bit of commotion. The draft proposal has yet to make its way in front of the town board.

10.

Eastern Long Island features many options for cutting down your own Christmas tree for reasonable prices and a fun experience as well. Picking out the perfect tree, cutting it down, and transporting it home is easy with the help of local tree farms in Riverhead.