A blighted property on West Main Street could be transformed into a family-style 40-seat restaurant by spring, pending approval of the owner’s proposal.
Tom Mielnicki described his plan for The Simple Table to the Riverhead Planning Board Thursday night in a public hearing. He said he wants to renovate the former auto shop to keep the existing building footprint and architecture, adding a new roof and outdoor eating area.
Mielnicki said he’s considering a World War II-era Quonset hut roof for the main building and a pergola-covered patio on its west side. He said he has the necessary Department of Environmental Conservation permits for the waterfront property, which covers a third of an acre, directly opposite the terminus of Osborn Avenue.
“I think that that building can be architecturally sound and could be a benefit to the town,” said Mielnicki, who called himself a fan of old architecture.
He said the DEC recommended building a dock and bulkhead on the waterfront, where kayakers could pull off the water and have a bite to eat.
Lisa Cuomo, Mielnicki’s business partner, said an affordably-priced restaurant at the location would make for another attraction in Riverhead’s downtown.
“The thought of something like that, visually beautifying that section of Riverhead which is very unsightly – we’re hoping we get the approval to move forward with this because it’s something that could really be beneficial and encourage some foot traffic,” Cuomo said.
A separate, smaller building on the property which currently houses real estate office Titlebusters is not included in the site plan.
A gravel parking lot will have sixteen spaces, Mielnicki said.
The current projected opening is for May, as the renovations won’t be finished in time for the January soft opening Mielnicki told the board he had hoped for.
Mielnicki’s daughter, Ariana, currently attending Suffolk County Community College’s culinary arts program, will be his partner in the restaurant, Mielnicki said
RiverheadLOCAL photo by Micah Danney
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