New Coffee Cafe To Open On Wading River Pond

RIVERHEAD, NY - Anthony Coates, well-known on the political canvas, has set his sights on a new win.

He's planning to open a coffee cafe on Sound Road, near the duck pond in Wading River.

Called Hudson Market, Coates plans to offer coffee, a wide variety of baked goods, to-go sandwiches, salads and specialty items, as well.

"It is a new exploration for me and as a boy I always admired the explorer Henry Hudson," he said Wednesday.

The shop, which is just over 250 square feet, will feature "homey" decor, Coates said. "It will be a small touchstone for the community and the gathering place," he said.

Coates plans to open by late April.

During the summer, he plans to offer live music and art shows outdoors, breathing life and creativity into the area.

"I hope to be part of what I think will be an exciting revival of the Wading River hamlet," Coates said.

The area holds personal meaning for Coates: When campaigning for the Riverhead Town supervisor's seat, he met extensively with residents in the area; when he announced his platform, he did so at the duck pond.

Coates also owns an investment advisory firm as well as a public affairs consulting business.

"It's an area with charm and history and I would like to be part of its revival. My running joke is that when I ran for supervisor I said I would 'awaken Riverhead' — selling coffee might be the way to do it."