Business Beat: Concrete Plant Irks Neighbors, Colleagues Buy Bakery

This week, Patch reported on a variety of business developments across northern and central Suffolk County. Here are the highlights.

PORT JEFFERSON

Meet the Owner: Longtime Colleagues Take Over Local Bakery

Lori Riekert of New Hyde Park and Gianni Scafidi of Huntington worked together at a bakery in Syosset for seven years before they decided to become owners themselves. In September of 2012, they purchased Create-a-Cake in Port Jefferson Station. "We’re very dedicated workers, and we felt like if we’re going to do that for someone else, then why not do it for ourselves," they said in an interview Wednesday.

HAUPPAUGE

Gluten Free Fair Coming to Hauppauge

More than 2,000 people are expected to attend the 2013 Gluten Free Vendor Fair and Expo in Hauppauge on April 27 and 28.

The fair caters to those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Gluten intolerance is on the rise. According to a report in USA today, nearly five times as many people have celiac disease today than did during the 1950s. It is now believed to affect one in every 133 Americans.

KINGS PARK

Residents: KPE Ignores Court's Restraining Order

Kings Park residents are infuriated a pre-cast concrete business is continuing business as usual weeks despite a temporary restraining order from New York State Supreme Court.

Residents allege KPE II is continuing to carry out heavy industrial business activities such as sand mining, rock crushing and more off Old Northport Road despite the March 4 restraining order signed by Supreme Court judge Ralph Gazzillo.

THREE VILLAGE

Three Village School District Renews Energy Efficiency Agreement

The Three Village Board of Education on Tuesday voted 6-0 to renew an agreement with an energy efficiency consultant to continue finding ways to achieve energy savings in the schools.

Milwaukee, W.I.-based Johnson Controls Inc., which has a Long Island location in Syosset, will provide the framework for "work done in and around our buildings designed to save energy," according to Jeff Carlson, assistant superintendent for business services. The district first entered into an agreement during the 2006-07 school year and since then, the cost savings has paid for the work itself, Carlson said.

COMMACK

The Commack Applebee’s raised $6,084 for Toys for Tots this year, which added to the restaurant's total donation of $107,280 from its Long Island locations.