Thursday, October 1, 2026
Businesses in Oceanside and Island Park reopened for Phase Two on June 10 — restaurants opened for outdoor dining, retailers opened at limited capacity and other services, such as hair salons and dentists, reopened for appointments.
“The customers are coming in,” said Marina Iskiyaeva, owner of NYC Panache Salon in Island Park, “but it’s very uncomfortable to work with the masks, gloves and all that.
“We’re getting customers, but not a lot,” she added. “People are still afraid, and I hope more will start to come.”
Jordan Lobster Farm in Island Park had a decent crowd on the first day of reopening. “It’s been going well,” owner Steven Jordan said. “We’re fortunate that we’re set up already for [outdoor dining.] We just had to separate some tables.”
The only confusion, Jordan said, was whether patrons are permitted to sit at the bar — with stools socially distanced — during Phase Two. So, as of Friday, there was no outdoor bar seating at the lobster shack. He also noted the need to remind customers to wear their masks when they leave their tables to walk around the area or use the restroom.
Carl Isaacson, owner of Nemo’s, a sportswear, apparel and accessory retailer in Oceanside, said that people were eager to come in and browse when the store reopened.
“We’ve been here 46 years and had a second grand opening, which is kind of unique,” Isaacson mused. “People are very happy to be out and find stores that are open that they can walk into, instead of [doing] curbside pickup. They’re enthusiastic to browse and all that.”
Nemo’s offers masks for those who walk in without one. The shop also has sanitizer available, clear plastic separating customers from counter clerks and lines taped to the floor so that patrons can follow proper social distancing.
There are some businesses that have chosen not to reopen quite yet, however. Alan Schwartz, a dentist on Davison Avenue in Oceanside, said he is waiting until he is completely ready to open his doors again. “We’re going to do it the right way,” he said.
Schwartz said the office is implementing touchless sign-in methods, where patients can sign in and fill out forms on their phones rather than in the office. He also said he is installing seven medical air purifiers and ordering personal protective equipment and gowns before reopening in July. “We want the staff to feel safe, and we want the patients to feel safe,” he said.
