Good things brewing for coffee shop

In the grand scheme of Valley Stream history, Sip This is a very small part of it. The coffee house has been around for only two years in a downtown business district that has existed for more than a century.

But in a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately society, Sip This suddenly rises to prominence. Co-owner David Sabatino was recognized by the Valley Stream Chamber of Commerce as its Business Person of the Year at the Nassau Council of Chambers annual legislative breakfast on Oct. 18.

In August 2011, Sabatino and Stephanie Pontillo opened up shop on Rockaway Avenue in a storefront that used to house Slipped Disc records. With a name that paid homage to the old business, Sip This quickly became a popular spot in the village. “I believed in Valley Stream,” Sabatino said, “and I knew they would support us.”

Sabatino is a member of the Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors. Sip This hosts the monthly networking brunches on the first Tuesday of each month. The Chamber provides pastries and a chance for interaction among members of the business community. Last June, the coffee house also hosted one of the monthly networking lunches.

Last year, Sabatino, who is also the president of local civic group Envision Valley Stream, partnered with the Chamber of Commerce for first Community Fest on Rockaway Avenue. The second annual street fair was held last month, featuring more than 140 vendors, entertainment, a car show and children’s activities.

“The Valley Stream Chamber of Commerce is a very good example of a Chamber that is really connected to the community,” Sabatino said, adding that is important for businesses to be a vibrant part of any town.

In the 26 months since Sip This first opened its doors, Sabatino said he has learned a lot about business, like the regulations that must be obeyed. For example, he said, to have live music requires approval from the music industry. “There’s all these little licenses and fees and regulations that you have to be aware of and be sure that you’re following,” he said.

Keeping expenses in check is another challenge, Sabatino said. The easiest part of running the business, he explained, has been the connections he has made with members of the community. People are genuinely interested in the events Sip This hosts, from trivia contests, to Bring Your Own Vinyl nights the first Friday of every month, to art shows. In fact, he has artists booked to display their work at Sip This well into 2015.

The shop is becoming well known for both its drinks and its desserts, Sabatino said. The most popular drink is the Eagles Edge, a chocolate hazelnut coconut latte with a name that pays tribute to Central High School. The apple crumb cheesecake and the meltdown brownie are the favorite sweets. He also said he was surprised by how popular pumpkin spice lattes are in the fall, and one year his supply of drink mix could not keep up with demand.

Sabatino grew up in Valley Stream, attending Wheeler Avenue School, Memorial Junior High and Kellenberg High School. He holds degrees in history from Marist College and urban planning from New York University.

Debbi Gyulay, president of the Valley Stream Chamber, praised Sabatino and Pontillo for taking the initiative to open up a business on Rockaway Avenue. “They put their hearts and energy into it and made it a gathering spot for many Valley Streamers,” she said.

Gyulay added that Sabatino’s business success, combined with the active role he plays in the community, is why she chose him as this year’s recipient. He was recognized with business owners and managers from communities across Nassau County at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury.

Sip This, at five employees, defines small business. Sabatino said the key to success is to be honest with customers.

There is more ahead for the business, including an expansion of the coffee menu and the inclusion of more lunch items. These developments, he said, are part of the natural evolution of any business. “We know what we can do,” he said, “and now we’re exploring what we want to do on top of that.”

Sip This, Sabatino explained, is actually a dream come true. “In college we always talked about how cool it would be to own a coffeehouse,” he said, “but I didn’t think we were going to do it.”