Comings, Goings, Rumors & Updates in the Business District

You can't walk far in downtown Babylon Village without noticing something new and keeping your ears open during chamber meetings and at local coffee houses can prove valuable when it comes to tracking business district news.

The big rumour of the week: An operator of a golf simulation business is possibly eyeing to open in the former Babylon Hardware store on Deer Park Avenue, which has been vacant since November, 2010.

A source told Patch the business would be very much like the golf simulation business located at Tanger Mall in Deer Park and Chelsea Piers in NYC. It’s supposedly the brain child of an Oak Beach resident who loves the village.

The only caveat is that he might want to sell alcohol on premise and that could be a hurdle to getting approval. Sources said the business operator has been advised to open and do business for a year and then try for the booze approval.

The new yogurt store looking to move into the village is headed back to the village planning board to talk about the operation given the owner’s intent to be a self-service operation, which constitutes a change of use from the prior busness.

There was a terrific turnout last week at the Babylon Chamber of Commerce meeting with lots of longtime members and quite a few new members joining the ranks. New President Patty Vorilas (owner of Long Island Home Recreation) is enthusiastic about new efforts such as fundraising to build an advertising budget and she, along with other chamber members, are glad ex-president Jon Taylor isn’t going anywhere and is heading up membership.

The first fundraising event will be held March 28^th at the American Legion Post. Everyone’s encouraged to bring a friend to the Chinese auction event. The annual sidewalk sale event will take place the weekend of June 3 this year.

In the meanwhile rumour has it there is a video game store type of business looking to move into the former Sweet Autum location (which had opened last June) and a new nautical shop, offering big home décor options such as lamps and furniture, is being considered at the old jewelry shop. The nautical décor store isn’t seen as direct competition to the popular Coastal Island Treasures shop run by Wally Levins.

There’s a bit of a snag with the Molto Vino store opening as the owner is heading back to the village board regarding plans for the wine and cheese store. Originally Massimiliano Gargiulo was going to operate Molto Vino adjacent to his Solo Vino store but now it seems he’d like to connect the two storefronts and that requires another look. The hearing is on February 14 at 7 p.m.

Blue Chill, a restaurant that opened in December 2010, is now closed with a ‘for rent’ sign in the window and the phone has been disconnected.

There’s work going on at the former Tradewinds Deli location with the place being gutted. Patch hasn’t met up yet with the new owner but we’ll nab him.

BRG’s Monsoon, the huge eatery slated for the former Bank of NY building, was reportedly looking to open on or before Valentine’s Day but it’s looking more like the end of the month. While finishing touches are getting into place, the kitchen staff, Patch has learned, is already doing meal testing work.

The new chocolate shop Kilwins is looking to have its grand opening on April 2 at the former toy store location across from Mary Carrolls.

If you noticed that village hall is looking a bit spruced up these days, it’s because work has begun on repairs in internal and external areas, including the inside stairway, as well as some roof patching work.