Reopen Long Island: Long Island enters phase one of reopening

LONG ISLAND (WABC) -- Nassau and Suffolk counties are moving into phase one of reopening which includes manufacturing, construction, agriculture, wholesale trade, and retail stores, which can now offer curbside pick-up only.

Businesses must submit a safety plan to the state to qualify.

The reopening also means construction can resume on the new arena at Belmont Park, the future home of the Islanders. It's been exactly two months since any work has happened there.

Wednesday, the LIRR added service to coincide with Phase 1. They've added 105 additional cars so people can spread out. They're also doing extensive sanitizing.

As Long Island opens, it doesn't feel like a lot has changed in downtown Huntington at least in terms of retail.

Retailers can offer curbside pickup but shopping indoors is still off limits.

"We do miss our customers a lot," said Julie Wernersbach, of Book Revue, "We all have to be safe."

Gregg Leonardi owns an London Optical on Main Street.

He showed Eyewitness News the new safeguards he began using recently for eye exams.

"Works great, patient looks on this side, take measurement, and it's done," he said.

Leonardi says he can't wait until everyone on Main Street is back up and running.

"I can't wait until Everything is back into full production. I would like to see the lights on up the block," Leonardi said.

"Oh my gosh, I can't wait," said Tara Farrell, the owner of Out of the Blue Unique Accessories in Sayville.

The owner of Hammer & Stain in Sayville, Sandra Bernius, said she has been shipping art kits to buyers, but has been flying through her paint inventory in order to make sure customers have all the desired paints.

Kate Verbarg, the owner of Sayville Chocolatier, said she has been open the past few weeks, but is hoping that phase one will increase foot traffic on Main Street and people will stop at her store to pick up chocolates. Her father created a wooden sliding door window for the front entrance.

"You can just give us a little knock - tell us what you want," she said.

Hema Sonkiya, the owner of Guru's in Sayville, said she's looking forward to seeing her customers.

"It's good because our customers they are a family," she said. "They are really waiting to see us."

Dominique Maciejka, who owns Paper Doll Vintage Boutique in Sayville, said she's excited to enter phase one, so she can attempt to make a little more money in order to pay her bills which keep coming.

"We've taken all the precautions - wear masks, wear gloves, sanitize merchandise, steam any of the vintage clothing," she said.

Maciejka, along with many small business owners in Sayville, gathered Tuesday morning to urge the governor to allow more stores to open more quickly.

"We have to turn a profit," said Eileen Tyznar, President of the Greater Sayville Chamber of Commerce. "We have to turn it quickly. We are ready to go. We need to go."

Carol Seitz, the head of the Bayport-Blue Point Chamber of Commerce, said it isn't fair that big retail stores have been open throughout the coronavirus pandemic and small businesses have been forced to close. She called upon the governor to let Main Street businesses open now.

"If we don't do this Governor Cuomo, you're going to lose a lot of businesses in Suffolk County," Seitz said.

The owner of Island Salt and Spa in Sayville is hoping she will be able to reopen under phase two.

Michelle Flecken has purchased plexiglass partitions for the seating area in her spa.

"We can effectively open up and we have every precaution in place," she said.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said he understands the urgency small businesses are feeling.

"We need to do more," Bellone said. "We need to move as quickly as we can, while keeping safety in mind."

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