Greenport's Coronet Owners Bid Adieu; Crazy Beans Set to Move In

GREENPORT, NY - A beloved couple on the Greenport Village canvas is saying good-bye to the Coronet.

Perry Angelson and his wife Melina confirmed Wednesday that while over the past few weeks there has been talk of a sale of the Coronet, the longtime luncheonette that has stood at the corner of Front and Main for decades, the deal has been officially announced.

On the Crazy Beans Miller Place Facebook page Wednesday, an announcement read: "We are excited to announce that Crazy Beans is officially headed to the North Fork! Greenport . . . here we come!"

Angelson's wife Melina added that the Harborfront Deli and the Loft, located upstairs, are also listed with Town & Country Real Estate.

Perry said after almost 38 years, with two sons grown and raised, the time has come for the couple to say good-bye to the longtime bastions of the Greenport business community.

"I think everyone should have two, 20-year careers," he said.

While he has no firm plans on what he'd like to do should the businesses sell, Perry said, "I don't know what I want to do, but I know what I don't want to do — I've been doing it long enough. Maybe I'll get a job cutting grass on the golf course so I can play golf for free," he laughed.

It's time that his wife also has the chance to step back and enjoy some well-deserved moments away from the eateries, he said.

Still, the couple has fond memories deeply entwined in each business.

Perry said that for whomever carries on the Coronet's rich legacy, he has a bit of advice: "I wouldn't change that sign. I would leave that sign exactly the way it is. You need to keep some of this stuff ongoing, because it's a big part of the local people."

The corner luncheonette has been a fixture in Greenport since 1949. "Although the village has changed dramatically over the years, the Coronet has remained frozen in time," the business's website says.

Back when it was created, a two-story building was demolished to make way for the small-town USA look and feel of a place where generations have shared coffee, milk shakes and dreams.

Nothing has changed, from the turquoise booths and multi-paned picture windows, to the soda fountains and shake blenders behind the counter, since Nicholas "Nick" Drossos first opened the Coronet’s doors, the site says.

Perry, who took the helm at the Coronet in 2004 from Gary Ostroski, is sixth in a line of owners "that have preserved the Coronet’s heritage, while leaving their own mark on this piece of Greenport history. Just as it has for nearly three-quarters of a century, Coronet Luncheonette continues to be a gathering place for family, friends and newcomers," the site says.

Generations of Greenporters have spent moments big and small sharing sandwiches and conversation; longtime customers such as William J. Mills II, still comes, as he has for decades, and as have his children and grandchildren. "It's been passed down for generations," Perry said.

And that's why, should the sale to the new prospective owners move forward, Perry said he would be thrilled. "They're a wonderful couple. If I had to pick somebody, it would be them. They're Melina and myself, 25 years ago. They want to keep it going. They're great kids, really."

As for Melina, she said the time is right for change. Tired from years of long days, and with the couple's sons grown, "It's time for the next generation to take over," she said. "We've made wonderful friends in this business and we did have fun."

But once the businesses are sold, the couple's schedules will be flexible.

When asked what she'd most like to do with her newfound free time, Melina laughed: "Nothing," she joked.

Reflecting, she said she'd like to go to the beach, to shop on Front Street. "I would love to be a tourist in my own town. This is a lovely place to be. I would love to be able to take advantage of some of that — when it's not March," she laughed.

The Harbourfront and Loft are listed and if anyone is interested, Melina asked that they give a call.

But even if and when the other eateries do sell, the Angelsons will stay deeply rooted in the community they both love.

"We're not leaving town anytime soon," she said. "We'll still be here."

Melina added,"I consider this my home. I've been coming since I was a little girl; my parents started bringing me out 46 years ago."

With her family spread over distances, the North Fork is the "nucleus," the place they gather to celebrate deep bonds and joyful reunions. "My dad still has his home base here," Melina said. "It's home."

And, she added, "I'd actually like to enjoy my house a little bit instead of just taking a shower every morning and leaving."

Looking back over the many years, Melina said. "We worked very hard, but we definitely reaped the benefits. We have a lot of really good memories and even the bad ones have become funny memories now."

While times have changed, with many longtime Greenporters who used to gather at the Luncheonette every morning gone now, Melina said, "Things change. Change is good. You need to go forward."

To all the longtime customers and friends who will be sad to see the Angelsons bid adieu, Melina said, "It will be nice to sit and have a cup of coffee with them — on the other side of the counter."