A business boom in Wantagh

Three new businesses celebrate their grand openings

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Three new businesses held their grand openings last Wednesday and officially opened their doors to the Wantagh community. Parkside Inn, a restaurant and bar and Seaside Liquors both opened up on Merrick Road in Wantagh and Studio Seven, a beauty salon, opened up on Wantagh Avenue.

Elected officials including State Sen. Michael Venditto, County Legislator Steven Rhoads (R-Bellmore), Assemblyman Dave McDonough (R-Merrick) and Councilman Gary Hudes attended the ribbon-cutting ceremonies on April 20.

“What it really boils down to is the relationships between people,” Venditto said. “We have a very supportive chamber of commerce that does a great job at not only handling and representing small business but the community at large. They put on different events for neighbors to take part in all year round, they welcome and support the businesses and also inform them what is going on legislatively that will benefit and help them.”

Although Parkside Inn has been up and running since October of 2015, Owners Michelle and Gary Francke were excited to be recognized by elected officials and other community members.

“We were offered an opportunity that we couldn’t pass up,” co-owner Michelle Francke said. “My husband is from Wantagh and it’s just a great neighborhood place for people to come and eat some great food!”

With Newbridge Inn already opened in Merrick, the couple wanted to do the same in their own hometown. “Hopefully when people come in, they will also think to shop around the area or grab a bite to eat when coming home from the beach,” she added.

Seaside Liquors, a wine and liquor store located across the street from Parkside Inn officially opened on March 11 and was also welcomed to the area. “We want to help the community with lower prices, a bigger selection and a more convenient location,” co-owner Marissa Scialo said. “We are the last stop before Jones Beach, so you can grab a summer sprits and be on your way.” Co-owners Ida Goldstein and Harry Hipper were also excited to share a toast with the various elected officials and town members.

“You also have great business owners who really want to do more then just run their business, but give back to this community which gives us all so much,” Venditto said. “ It’s that positive attitude and those relationships that are built between the chamber, between the local government representatives and between the business owners, that makes it all work and really contributes to what makes Wantagh the great community that it is to live in and raise a family.”

Studio Seven Salon, which relocated over from Bellmore one year ago, is hoping to bring in more clientele from the Wantagh area. The staff is eager to share the many beauty services that the salon has to offer.

“It’s always wonderful seeing new businesses coming to the community,” Rhoads said. “Any time we have an opportunity to expand our commercial property tax space, that has a direct impact on homeowner’s and property taxes that they end up paying. It’s exciting that the chamber has taken such an active role in assisting new businesses and I’m thrilled that these new business owners have decided to take a chance and put their time, money and talent at risk to not only provide for their own families but provide for the community as well.

With new businesses bursting up everywhere, community members are happy to see that the economy is thriving in their small town. Members from the Wantagh Chamber of Commerce, including President Chris Brown, were also in attendance at the event to congratulate the new owners.

“As past president of the chamber of commerce and a small business owner myself, I applaud these local residents that opened these great businesses,” Hudes said. “I encourage our residents to shop locally!”