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Tag: long island business

  • New leaders take charge as Long Island execs step down in 2025 | Long Island Business News

    In Brief:
    • Northwell Health, 1-800-Flowers.com and Nassau University Medical Center named new CEOs in 2025.
    • Leadership transitions were announced at major nonprofits including Long Island Cares and Family Service League.
    • Law firms Rivkin Radler and Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman unveiled new managing partners.
    • Stony Brook University welcomed Andrea Goldsmith as its seventh president.

    Long Island organizations saw a change of the guard in 2025, as veteran leaders announced they were stepping down and seasoned executives began to take the reins. From healthcare to law, retail, and beyond, new leaders are helping to shape the next chapter of the region’s business landscape. Here’s a look back at some of those notable leadership transitions.

    Michael Dowling and Dr. John D’Angelo. / Credit: Lee Weissman/Northwell Health

    Michael Dowling, who served as president and chief executive of Northwell Health for more than 23 years, became CEO emeritus, focusing on teaching and public health, on Oct. 1. Dr. John D’Angelo, the health system’s former executive vice president, was appointed Northwell’s president and CEO after a nationwide search.

    Dowling called it an “extraordinary privilege” to lead the health system, helping it grow to 28 hospitals and 104,000 staff members. D’Angelo said he was “humbled and honored” to succeed Dowling, and stand “committed to build” on Dowling’s “unparalleled legacy.”

    Jim McCann

    In May, Jim McCann announced he was stepping down as CEO of 1-800-Flowers.com, but would remain active in the company as executive chairman. Adolfo Villagomez–who most recently served as CEO of Progress Residential, a private owner and operator of single-family rental homes across more than 40 U.S. markets–began his role as CEO of 1-800-Flowers.com in May.

    “Adolfo is the first person outside the McCann family to take on this role— something I did not take lightly,” McCann added. “From our very first conversation, I recognized in him not only extraordinary business acumen, but also a deep passion and a genuine commitment to partnership with myself and our leadership team. This is a unique and impactful moment for our company, and I’m proud to enter this next chapter of our journey.” Villagomez said “I cannot wait to hit the ground running with Jim and the leadership team to help grow the business dramatically in the years ahead.”

    Paule Pachter said in June that he was retiring as CEO and president of Long Island Cares – the Harry Chapin Regional Food Bank, headquartered in Hauppauge, after leading the organization for 17 years. Katherine Fritz, the organization’s vice president for development and communication, was named Long Island Cares new president and CEO.

    Courtesy of Long Island Cares, Inc. – The Harry Chapin Regional Food Bank

    Fritz was the “unanimous choice to guide Long Island through the food-insecurity crisis,” according to Long Island Cares. Pachter, now president emeritus, serves in an advisory role, and called his time at the organization “the most rewarding and productive period of my 46-year history of working in the nonprofit human services sector on Long Island.”

    Karen Boorshtein said in June that she will step down as president and CEO of Family Service League on March 31, 2026, having led the organization for more than 15 years. “It has been a privilege to work alongside such a talented and committed team and to partner with community leaders and stakeholders who believe in the power of support, dignity and opportunity for all,” she said.

    A successor has not yet been announced.

    Evan Krinick and Barry Levy / Courtesy of Rivkin Radler

    New leadership was announced in September at Rivkin Radler, a law firm headquartered in Uniondale, effective Feb. 1. That’s when Barry Levy will lead the firm as its new managing partner. He will succeed Evan Krinick, who, having led the firm since 2013, will remain active at Rivkin Radler, representing clients and participating in management initiatives.

    “It has been a privilege to be the managing partner of this great organization,” Krinick said. “After more than 12 years as managing partner, it is time to hand the reins to another partner.” Levy said he was “truly honored” by his partners’ confidence in his ability to lead the firm forward.” He added that “working under Evan’s leadership over the past 12 years has served as a tremendous blueprint in terms of continuing to grow the firm while maintaining its unique culture.”

    Thomas Stokes was appointed permanent CEO of Nassau University Medical Center in December, effective in January. The veteran healthcare leader — who at the time of the announcement served as chief financial officer of Weill Cornell Medicine and vice president for finance at Cornell University—will run Nassau County’s only public safety-net hospital, which is operated by Nassau Health Care Corporation.

    Board Chair Stuart Rabinowitz said Stokes’ “arrival strengthens a system that has already made important strides—increasing revenue, improving operations and reducing costs,” adding that “there is still work ahead.” Stokes said that serving “the people of Nassau County is deeply meaningful to me, and I’m ready to get to work.”

    Certilman Balin Adler & Hyman, a law firm whose locations include East Meadow and Hauppauge, announced new leadership in December. Partners Brendan DeRiggi and Jaspreet Mayall are now co-managing partners, responsible for overseeing the firm’s growth and operations. Howard Stein, who has served as the firm’s managing partner, is now chair of the firm, focusing on advancing its long-term vision, strategic planning and key client relationships.

    “This is an exciting moment for our firm,” Stein said. “I am honored to assume the role of chair and confident that with Brendan and Jaspreet as co-managing partners, we will continue to drive innovation, deepen client relationships and invest in our people.” DeRiggi said that their “shared vision will help advance the firm’s strategic priorities.”  Mayall said he is “committed to building on our strengths and fostering a mindset of excellence across the firm.”

    Andrea Goldsmith, State University of New York

    Andrea Goldsmith began her tenure on Aug. 1 as Stony Brook University’s seventh president. Goldsmith previously served as dean of engineering and applied science at Princeton University, where she had served as a researcher in engineering, technology company founder and faculty member. Goldsmith holds 38 patents in wireless technology, and served in roles at Stanford University and Caltech. Stony Brook’s previous president, Maurie McInnis, left to lead Yale University.

    SUNY Chancellor John King Jr. said Goldsmith’s “experience as an academic, dean and researcher–as well as an innovator and entrepreneur–will serve our students, faculty, staff, and the campus community well.” Goldsmith called it “an honor to join Stony Brook University–a champion of excellent, affordable education that will launch students into very successful careers and lives as citizens of the world.”


    Adina Genn

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  • Bohemia printing company shifts to new internal leadership | Long Island Business News

    A Bohemia printing company transitions to new internal ownership as founders retire, preserving decades of experience and company culture

    Adina Genn

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  • Pharma manufacturer getting IDA help for expansion | Long Island Business News

    A&Z Pharmaceuticals and its affiliate, AiPing Pharmaceuticals, received preliminary approval for economic incentives from the Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency for a planned expansion project. 

    The $6.7 million project includes the conversion of existing Hauppauge warehouse space to a production and manufacturing area to accommodate additional employees and machinery required for the company to transition to prescription pharmaceutical operations, according to an IDA statement. 

    The project is expected to add 35 jobs to the company’s existing staff of 162. 

    A&Z currently uses its buildings for domestic sales and as a laboratory, research and development, and manufacturing site for the export of over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and prescription pharmaceuticals for sale in the domestic market. 

    In addition to its over-the-counter medications and nutraceuticals, A&Z’s facility is also FDA-registered to manufacture such prescription drugs as Amitriptyline HCl, which is used to treat depression; Buspirone, which is used to treat generalized anxiety disorder; Meloxicam, which is used for arthritis pain management; and Metformin HCl, which is used to treat diabetes, according to the IDA. The company added 20 FDA prescription drug licenses this year and could add another 10 licenses in 2026. 

    “We are grateful for the continued partnership of the Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency,” CEO Emma Li Xu, A&Z’s founder, said in the statement. “With the IDA’s critical support, we can move more of our manufacturing and development to Suffolk County.” 

    Xu started A&Z with four people 30 years ago after working in China, Hong Kong, and Australia, according to the IDA. 

    “A& Z Pharmaceutical has been a leading manufacturer for 30 years in the global pharmaceutical and growing supplement market,” Kelly Murphy, executive director of the Suffolk IDA, said in the statement. “This project will strengthen A&Z’s manufacturing capabilities and support the continued growth of Suffolk County’s manufacturing and pharmaceutical industry. Projects like this ensure that Suffolk continues to be a hub for innovation, high-quality jobs, and long-term economic vitality.” 


    David Winzelberg

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  • Upscale coworking hub opens at renovated Garden City office building | Long Island Business News

    THE BLUEPRINT:

    • Former 1950s Garden City office building transformed into The Franklin coworking hub

    • $4.5M renovation adds modern private offices, meeting rooms, lounges, and amenities

    • NY Space Finders created the concept amid rising demand for suburban workspaces

    • Spaces range from 100–2,050 sq. ft., with monthly rates from $1,900 to $3,800

     

    A formerly vacant three-story office building in Garden City has been reimagined and transformed into an upscale coworking concept. 

    Dubbed The Franklin, the 19,160-square-foot building on .14 acres at 1051 Franklin Ave. was originally built in the 1950s and went through a recently completed $4.5 million renovation. 

    Originally placed on the market for sale, the property drew significant interest from investors and businesses. However, Giuseppe Gregorio and Luca DiCiero of NY Space Finders, who brokered the listing, received feedback about the property’s location and the increasing demand from professionals seeking office environments outside of Manhattan. 

    A conference room at The Franklin coworking facility in Garden City. / Courtesy of NY Space Finders

    “People were coming back to the office—just not necessarily to the city,” said Gregorio. “We saw a real opportunity to create something unique right here in Garden City.” 

    The brokers advised the Queens-based owners not to sell the building, but to renovate it instead. Assisted by underwriting and consulting led by their NY Space Finders colleague Nick Evangelista, they created the coworking office concept. 

    The shared-office model offers furnished private offices, conference rooms and lounge areas. Featured amenities include high-speed internet, kitchen, mail handling, printing and scanning facilities, on-site parking and 24-7 access. 

    “We designed The Franklin to feel like a piece of Manhattan in Garden City—clean, modern, and built for how people work today,” Evangelista said. “It’s not just another office building; it’s a workspace experience.” 

    The brokerage firm liked it so much; they leased 1,200 square feet at the building for their newest office. 

    The coworking industry has been growing. As of the third quarter, there were 8,420 coworking locations across the U.S., that includes 64 coworking locations on Long Island totaling about 960,000 square feet, according to CoworkingCafe.com. Despite reaching 150 million square feet across the U.S., shared office space facilities make up just 2.1 percent of all office space nationwide. 

    The available spaces at The Franklin range from as small as 100 square feet to as much as 2,050 square feet. Monthly rates range from $1,900 to $3,800. NY Space Finders is handling the leasing of the offices. 

    “With state-of-the-art amenities, convenient access, and a prime location that supports both employees and clients, this building provides an ideal environment for productivity and growth,” Gregorio told LIBN. “Companies moving here can benefit from a professional workspace that fosters collaboration while positioning themselves in one of Long Island’s most desirable business hubs. 1051 Franklin Avenue is not just an office—it’s a strategic move for the future of your business.” 


    David Winzelberg

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  • Emergency lighting supplier expanding with Holbrook acquisition | Long Island Business News

    THE BLUEPRINT:

    • Ultra Bright Lightz purchases 12,000-sq-ft Holbrook industrial building.

    • Company relocates from Hauppauge to support growing emergency lighting demand.

    • Business founded in a West Islip backyard now employs 12 and expands product lines.

     

    When a teenaged Justin Tomney began his business in a wooden shed in his parents’ West Islip backyard, he couldn’t have imagined what his real estate needs would eventually become. 

    Now, Tomney’s company, Ultra Bright Lightz, a supplier of emergency lighting, is the new owner of a Holbrook industrial property, where it has plenty of room to grow. 

    Light bars for construction and emergency vehicles are featured in Ultra Bright Lightz product line. / Courtesy of Ultra Bright Lightz

    The lighting firm purchased a 12,000-square-foot building on 1 acre at 1401 Lincoln Ave. for $3 million. The company is relocating from about 8,000 square feet it had been leasing at 40 Oser Ave. in Hauppauge. 

    Ultra Bright had a humble beginning. After dabbling in sales of assorted products on E-bay, Tomney turned on to the lighting business when he was still a student at West Islip High School, making his own LED light strips with parts sourced from hardware and home improvement stores. 

    Though he had set out to become a CPA and graduated from Dowling College, Tomney had his lightbulb moment, deciding to concentrate on his fledgling business. 

    “It started growing,” he told LIBN, “and I saw its potential.” 

    Ultra Bright Lightz left the backyard shed for leased space in Deer Park before moving to Hauppauge in 2019. This month, he’s setting up shop in his new Holbrook digs. The company founder and CEO sees the expansion as an opportunity. 

    “We can keep up with demand, expand our product line and have some room to grow,” Tomney said. 

    Ultra Bright Lightz, which has been in business since 2006, supplies emergency lighting equipment for first responders and the public safety sector. The company, which has grown to 12 employees, offers a wide range of LED warning lights, police sirens, speakers, controllers and its best-selling plug-and-play vehicle flasher modules, which Tomney helped create. 

    Ultra Bright Lightz sells its products directly to consumers, as well as to fire departments and government agencies.  

    Alberto Fiorini and Niko Khetaguri of Alliance Real Estate represented Ultra Bright Lightz, while Andrew Blumenthal of Metro Realty Services represented the seller, Ellenwood Realty Company LLC, in the Holbrook sales transaction. 


    David Winzelberg

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  • The Benjamin Companies taps Kenneth Coyle as its new CEO | Long Island Business News

    Garden City-based real estate development firm The Benjamin Companies has appointed Kenneth Coyle as its new CEO. 

    Kenneth Coyle

    Coyle will lead the company’s development, acquisitions and asset management operations. He succeeds his aunt, Denise Coyle, who has served as The Benjamin Companies CEO and general counsel. 

    “Ken brings great energy and insight in addition to an extensive background in legal, finance and development expertise to The Benjamin Companies,” Deborah Benjamin, president of the firm, said in the statement. “He understands our mission of rejuvenating the communities we work in while building in harmony with the environment. His leadership will help us continue delivering high-quality projects that serve residents, businesses and local partners.” 

    Coyle began his career as a real estate transactional attorney for a national law firm in New York City after graduating from Brooklyn Law School with a certificate in Real Estate Law. He later earned an MBA in Real Estate Finance from Georgetown University.  

    Before working at the Benjamin Companies, Coyle served on the acquisition teams at Los Angeles-based TruAmerica Multifamily and Nashville-based Southern Land Company, where he underwrote prospective developments, prepared investment materials and performed due diligence. Coyle has served as director at The Benjamin Companies for the last three years, where he’s been involved in acquisitions and asset management, according to a company statement. 

    “I’m honored to lead The Benjamin Companies at this defining moment in our company’s history,” Coyle said in the statement. “When Alvin Benjamin founded this great company over 60 years ago, he created a legacy of keen insight, growth and responsible development. I look forward to helping build on that legacy. The Benjamin Companies will expand on the innovation, vision and business acumen Denise Coyle provided during her role as CEO for over 20 years. I’m very grateful for the expertise and guidance that she gave to me and all the members of the Benjamin team.”  

    Founded in the 1960s by Alvin Benjamin, the firm’s portfolio includes smart-growth multi-use integrated communities, affordable housing, luxury homes, high-rises, townhouses, corporate centers and healthcare facilities, in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Florida. Some of its area projects include Arverne By The Sea, The Greens at Half Hollow, Corporate Courthouse Center, Court Plaza Senior Apartments and Islip Landing. 


    David Winzelberg

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  • Daifa Food buys Deer Park industrial property | Long Island Business News

    Daifa Food Inc. expands on Long Island with a $7.4M purchase of a 29,500-sq-ft Deer Park industrial property at 28 Brandywine Drive.

    David Winzelberg

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  • Manhasset office portfolio sells for $3.9M | Long Island Business News

    A three-building office portfolio in Manhasset has sold for $3.9 million. 

    Mark Udell, the owner of London Jewelers, purchased the three buildings that total 11,900 square feet, as well as a 5,000-square-foot parking lot. 

    The properties in the portfolio include a two-story, 7,000-square-foot office building at 47 Hillside Ave.; a 4,000-square-foot office building at 57 Hillside Ave.; and a 900-square-foot office building at 28 Locust St. 

    The building at 57 Hillside Ave. is fully occupied by three tenants and 28 Locust St. is occupied by a single tenant. 

    The second floor of the building at 47 Hillside Ave. is occupied, and the currently vacant first floor will be used by London Jewelers for its jewelry repair operations, according to a broker on the deal. 

    Kyle Crennan, Joe Lopresti and Brian Weigold of JLL represented the buyer, as well as the sellers, MAG Hillside LLC, RJG Hillside LLC, JVG Hillside LLC and DAG Hillside LLC, in the sales transaction. 

    “We are pleased to have successfully completed the sale of the Manhasset office portfolio to Mark Udell, who recognized the unique opportunity to acquire income producing assets with space available for his own business operations,” Crennan, managing director at JLL, told LIBN. “The portfolio’s prime location just one block from the Manhasset LIRR station and proximity to the Americana Manhasset made this a rare acquisition opportunity.” 


    David Winzelberg

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  • Long-vacant Port Washington theater moving from film to fitness | Long Island Business News

     

    The long-vacant Soundview Cinemas in Port Washington will be the new home of a local fitness center. 

    The Training Station Athletic Club has leased the 22,100-square-foot former movie theater space in the Soundview Marketplace shopping center, where it will relocate its current club on Channel Drive. 

    Peter and Susan Karika in their Port Washington club. / Courtesy of Training Station

    The Training Station, owned and operated by the husband-and-wife team of Peter and Susan Karika, opened its first facility on Main Street in Port Washington in 2000 and relocated to the building at 45 Channel Drive about five years later. The Karikas opened their second club in Glen Cove in 2006. 

    The Soundview location meets the Training Station’s requirements. 

    “The ceiling height is great because we need high ceilings, and the amount of space is what I wanted, which was between 20,000 and 25,000 square feet,” Peter Karika told LIBN. “The one problem I have here on Channel Drive is a lack of sufficient parking, and the parking will be great over there as well.” 

    The new space will also be a major investment, as Karika estimates spending between $3 million and $5 million on the new club’s buildout. 

    Besides the personal attention it provides its members, Karika said the Training Station is a cut above other fitness chains. 

    “We’re a full-service facility. We have everything you need as far as health and fitness,” he said. “We do every type of class, separate yoga studio, separate spin studio, locker rooms with towel service, steam, sauna and a very large free-weight area for all those guys looking for that. Everything is under one roof with boutique pricing where everything is included.” 

    Monthly memberships currently range from $89 to $99. 

    Since the Training Station’s lease at Channel Drive expires a year from now on Oct. 31, 2026, Karika said the Soundview club will open by Nov. 1, 2026, or sooner. 

    Soundview Marketplace in Port Washington. / Courtesy of PEBB Enterprises and Sagamore Hill Partners

    Soundview Cinemas opened in May 1990 and after being taken over by Clearview Cinemas in 1998, the six-screen theater closed in 2010. The movie house was reopened by independent operator Soundview Cinemas in April 2013 but fell victim to the COVID-19 pandemic and went dark for good in September 2021. 

    The Training Station is the latest addition to the revitalized 188,109-square-foot Soundview Marketplace, which was only about 50 percent occupied when the center was purchased by a joint venture between Boca Raton, Fla.-based PEBB Enterprises and Manhattan-based Sagamore Hill Partners in Dec. 2020. The new ownership secured an $18.75 million refinancing of the retail complex two years ago and has been filling the 11-acre property with several new national and regional tenants. 

    With the Training Station lease, the Port Washington shopping center is now nearly fully occupied, with just one 1,810-square-foot space available. The Soundview Marketplace tenant roster includes Target, T.J. Maxx, West Marine, Walgreens, Five Below, Ace Hardware, Starbucks, Just Salad, GNC and many more. 

    Gary Friedman of Schacker Realty represented the Training Station, while Jason Sobel and Jeremy Isaacs of RIPCO Real Estate represented the landlord in the lease transaction. 


    David Winzelberg

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  • BuyBackX opens its first-ever store on Long Island | Long Island Business News

    THE BLUEPRINT:

    • BuyBackX opens its first physical store at 275 Walt Whitman Road in Huntington Station.

    • Customers can sell or trade in electronics for instant cash or buy pre-owned devices.

    • Founded by former Wall Streeter Andreas Leptourgos, BuyBackX grew from BuyBackWorld.com.

    • The new store serves as the company’s flagship and model for future expansion.

     

    A successful online buy-sell-trade platform launched 16 years ago is expanding with its first brick-and-mortar store. 

    BuyBackX has opened its first store at 275 Walt Whitman Road in Huntington Station, where customers can sell their electronic devices for cash and buy certified pre-owned devices at discounted prices. 

    BuyBackX was founded by entrepreneur Andreas Leptourgos, who began his career on Wall Street before launching BuyBackWorld.com in 2009. The online platform was initially aimed at helping banks upcycle their old BlackBerrys, but soon became a major player in the buying, selling and recycling of other electronic devices. 

    Andreas Leptourgos / Courtesy of BuyBackX

    After Leptourgos bought $10,000 worth of iPhones outside of the Apple store on Fifth Avenue on iPhone 4 launch day in June 2010, he quit his Wall Street gig to build his growing online business. Since then, Leptourgos grew the company into a national leader in device trade-ins, featured in Forbes, The New York Times, and named to the annual Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing private companies six times. 

    BuyBackWorld has purchased more than 1 million devices and paid out more than $100 million to consumers and businesses, developing custom programs for clients such as NVIDIA, Nordstrom, Delta Private Jets, and the Museum of Modern Art without outside funding, according to a company statement. 

    With the new brick-and-mortar store model, Leptourgos is hoping to make device trade-ins and recycling more convenient and accessible to area consumers. 

    “Opening our first storefront is a major milestone for us and a big step toward building trust and connection with the local community,” Leptourgos, founder and CEO of BuyBackX, said in the statement. “Our goal has always been to make it easy and rewarding for people to trade in their tech responsibly. We pioneered buybacks online, but we always believed in the power of face-to-face interactions — helping customers see the value in their devices and giving them a better, greener way to upgrade. This new space gives the community a chance to see the process firsthand, including our transparency, efficiency, and environmentally conscious atmosphere. We’re helping consumers turn yesterday’s devices into tomorrow’s opportunities.” 

    Customers can walk into the BuyBackX store with their phone, tablet, laptop, or other eligible device and receive a quote and walk out with cash (or digital payment) in minutes. 

    The new Huntington Station location will serve as the company’s flagship store and model for future expansion across Long Island and beyond. 


    David Winzelberg

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  • Rallye breaks ground on new $37M Jericho dealership | Long Island Business News

    THE BLUEPRINT:

    • Rallye breaks ground on $37M Lexus dealership in Jericho

    • New 67,000-sq-ft facility to replace Glen Cove location by 2027

    • Features include EV charging, tech-enhanced service center, valet

    Elected officials and business leaders joined executives of Rallye Motor Company earlier this month at a groundbreaking ceremony for its new $37 million dealership in Jericho. 

    The new 67,000-square-foot dealership building is being constructed on a 5-acre site that once housed two office buildings at 125 and 131 Jericho Turnpike that were demolished last year. Rallye will be relocating from its longtime 32,000-square-foot facility in Glen Cove and expanding to the new Lexus dealership that will be about twice the size. The Jericho dealership is expected to open in early 2027. 

    Groundbreaking ceremony for the new Jericho dealership was held earlier this month. / Courtesy of Rallye Motor Company

    “Since Rallye’s founding, we’ve remained dedicated to delivering world-class luxury experiences for our customers,” said Juliana Terian, Rallye president and CEO, said in a company statement. “This flagship Lexus facility represents both the strength of our partnership with Lexus and our continued investment in serving our beloved Long Island community with timeless excellence.” 

    Rallye’s Jericho dealership will feature a spacious showroom, enhanced service center with advanced technology and SUV loaner vehicles, valet pick up and drop off, EV charging stations and more. 

    “Lexus entered the United States market 36 years ago, and Rallye has been a valued partner since the very beginning,” Patrick Ehlen, general manager for Lexus Eastern Area, said in the statement. “We have always recognized that a key component of our success lies in our local dealers’ dedication to their communities and team members—a commitment that remains as strong today as ever…This investment reflects the core philosophy that each dealer treats every customer as a guest in their own home.” 

    An entity of Rallye purchased the two five-story office buildings on nearly 4 acres for $15.7 million at a foreclosure auction in 2018, and the company later purchased adjoining parcels to make room for the new development. 

    “The new dealership has been years in the making,” John Tetta, general manager of Rallye Lexus, said in the statement. “As Lexus redefines what luxury means through its design and tech, we recognized our facility must be as advanced as the Lexus vehicle itself, to elevate the showroom experience to the same level as our renowned customer care.” 

    Founded in 1958 by Peter Terian and a few friends as a small, imported car service garage, Rallye has become the largest luxury automotive group on Long Island and is one of the few woman-owned car dealer groups in the country. Rallye has locations in Roslyn, East Hills, Westbury and Glen Cove and represents automotive brands Acura, BMW, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and Sprinter. 


    David Winzelberg

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  • Pharma firm expands with Commack industrial property | Long Island Business News

    Luxury home furnishings chain RH opens at Americana Manhasset 

    RH debuts a 3-level, 19,400 sq. ft. luxury furniture store in Manhasset, its fourth Long Island location, with[…]

    September 26, 2025

    David Winzelberg

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  • Cobs Bread slices its Long Island expansion plans | Long Island Business News

    THE BLUEPRINT:

    • Cobs Bread shuts down Plainview store months after opening

    • Planned Carle Place location canceled before launch

    • Merrick and Oceanside stores remain open and performing well

    • Company shifts U.S. strategy to focus on high-performing markets

     

    Australian bakery chain Cobs Bread is now toast in two Long Island locations, putting a crimp in its planned area expansion. 

    The chain abruptly closed its location in the Plainview Centre shopping complex earlier this month after it had only first opened this summer. The company also recently pulled out of a location it had leased in the Parkway Plaza shopping center in Carle Place before that planned store opened its doors. 

    A notice on the door of the shuttered Plainview store tells the tale. / LIBN photo

    Cobs Bread had high hopes for making dough here. After debuting in the U.S. 10 years ago with a store in Stamford, Conn. and a second in Greenwich, Conn., the company set its sights on Long Island. The chain opened its first area bakery at 2013 Merrick Road in Merrick in Dec. 2023 and added another four months later at 3187 Long Beach Road in Oceanside. 

    Unfortunately, Cobs Bread’s plans to rise in Plainview and Carle Place didn’t pan out. 

    Karen Frost-Spokes, vice president of Cobs Bread USA, told LIBN that while the stores in Merrick and Oceanside are performing well and “showing strong community engagement and sales,” the decision to close Plainview and abort the Carle Place opening “was part of a broader strategic shift to focus resources on high-performing areas and ensure long-term sustainability.” She added that the “decision reflects our commitment to strengthening our foundation and positioning ourselves for smarter expansion in the U.S. market.” 

    The Long Island bakery landscape has been transformed in recent years, with a shrinking number of family-owned independent stores facing increasing competition from global and regional chains like Paris Baguette, Tous Les Jours and The French Workshop. 

    However, Frost-Spokes said that the Plainview closure “was not directly due to competition from other bakery chains like Paris Baguette or other competitors,” even though Paris Baguette has a store in the same Plainview shopping center. 

    Louis Biscotti, managing director and national food and beverage industry leader at C-Biz in Melville, said that while baked goods are popular with consumers, competition is fierce among chains and in-store bakeries, especially with rising input and labor costs. 

    “I applaud strategic management decisions to close underperforming stores, especially in these difficult economic times,” Biscotti told LIBN. “Companies sometimes wait too long to pull the plug hoping for better results and close monitoring of profitability is key to making appropriate decisions.”   

    Cobs Bread started in 1980 in Australia as a family-run business called Bakers Delight. It has since grown to become a global network with over 700 bakeries in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the U.S. The Cobs Bread brand now has more than 130 bakeries in North America and expects to expand to over 350 bakeries in the U.S. and Canada by 2027, according to its website. 

    The company gives back to local communities through its End of Day Giving program, where unsold bread is given to those in need. The initiative has so far racked up more than $300 million in donations. 

    Though its Long Island stores are corporate-owned, Cobs Bread is seeking to expand through franchising. The all-in investment to open a Cobs Bread franchise ranges from $891,890 to $1.152 million, according to the company. 

    For now, the chain’s expansion here remains unleavened. 

    “At this time, there are no confirmed plans to open additional locations on Long Island,” Frost-Spokes said. “However, we remain committed to the U.S. market and are continually evaluating opportunities for future expansion based on performance data and market potential.” 


    David Winzelberg

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