Save luncheonette
To the Editor:
We are writing today because we still believe that the luncheonette is an establishment worth saving.
The Town Board is considering Mr. [Marc] Wein’s request for a permit, which would allow the property to be used as commercial office space. If they do so, the landmark luncheonette we’ve known as Nevel’s, Carol’s, Tom’s, and the Osprey Café can never again be given the chance to flourish — to be the vibrant social center and prosperous commercial center of Shelter Island that it has been for so many decades.
Once it’s gone, it’s gone for good.
There are a number of reasons we implore the Town Board to prevent this institution from being sacrificed for a little more office space.
First, we are grateful that when the Board last met to discuss this issue, it heard the chorus of voices attesting to the luncheonette’s importance to the town and its culture. Since then, though, the luncheonette has not been given a true chance to flourish. We appreciate that Mr. Wein let John Michalak lease the luncheonette; but, in this economic climate, leasing a business like a restaurant does not give the tenant financial motivation to invest what is necessary to bring it new life.
We understand that Mr. Wein purchased the luncheonette without experience in the restaurant industry, with the interest of selling or leasing it to someone with the passion and skill necessary to make it successful. We entreat him to look seriously for a buyer who would do justice to this Island institution. We would gladly cooperate with Mr. Wein to find such a buyer, or to organize a group of interested parties on the island who could band together to buy it — a group of buyers dedicated to making sure we don’t lose our luncheonette.
Second, we are confused why Mr. Wein or the Town Board would be interested in irrevocably converting this space from a long-standing restaurant into offices. While Mr. Wein owns the property, the Town Board has the right and the responsibility to consider the best interest of the Island. In response to Mr. Wein’s conversion request, the Town Board must ask: to what benefit? And at what cost?
The luncheonette’s prime location has made it ideally situated to thrive as a restaurant: across from the school, it serves students year-round; in the town center on Route 114, it is convenient and attractive for summer visitors and Islanders alike. Its decades of success as a restaurant and newsstand prove that it can profit under this model — it simply needs an experienced and invested owner. Converting it irreversibly diminishes its value to its owners and to future generations of Shelter Islanders.
Moreover, we do not see the benefits of turning the luncheonette into offices, which could serve the same function elsewhere. We understand Mr. Wein owns a second building on North Ferry Road that is currently designated as an office, which could serve as a real estate office.
There is neither individual benefit nor social benefit — no benefit to the Shelter Island community — of turning this Island institution into office space.
Third, it would be easy to look around the room and say that not enough people are speaking up on the luncheonette’s behalf. But holding this meeting in the middle of winter does not give those that might want to speak up the chance.
Had we not read the Reporter, this meeting would have come and gone with no chance of being heard.
If nothing else, full consideration of this issue should be delayed until the summer, when all concerned parties can come together to fight for our Island’s past and ensure its flourishing in the future.
We want to thank you for your time, and we hope we can come together to save this Island landmark and restore its position as a vital, vibrant part of our community.
RANDY OSOFSKY, RYDER KESSLER,
JUDD KESSLER AND STEPHEN KESSLER
SHELTER ISLAND
