Business District Springing Back to Life

Three days after Hurricane Sandy slammed into the Babylon Village shoreline, the Business District is springing back to life.

LIPA restored power to parts of the village north of the railroad tracks yesterday afternoon and continued with the restoration on Thursday afternoon down the street to Main Street/Montauk Highway.

Restaurants, such as Bagelicious and Horace & Sylvia's, sprang back to normal operation, opening their doors to some weary souls but, now, smiling faces. Fitness Incentive has announce it will open its doors on Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m. and resume regular activities at 5 a.m. tomorrow, including classes. While many businesses near the flood zone are closed, Cooper Street and the Babylon Bike Shop both had their doors open for business.

Other storefronts along the main stretch, including Kilwin's Chocolates and Coastal Island Treasures, have announced that they will reopen their doors for business starting tomorrow morning, a welcome sight in the village after three evenings in eerie darkness.

"Hey everyone, we are proud to announce we will open tomorrow morning at 11 a.m.," was the happy Kilwin's announcement on Facebook.

"We have power back!" wrote Positions Dance Studio owner Kelly Peckholdt, who will reopen the studio tomorrow for regular classes. She urges parents with any questions to give the dance studio a call.

There was no word from LIPA when power would be expected to be returned to the Montauk Avenue storefronts.

We will be updating this story throughout the day with confirmed businesses reopening tomorrow along this stretch.