Monday, July 28, 2008

BayKery Cafe owner Kieran Shea featured in Newsday

Excerpt from "Sloop du jour: takeout deliveries in Oyster Bay" as read in Newsday, July 28, 2008:

Even in tough economic times, it seems, there's always room for dessert, especially when the goodies are delivered by boat.

Such is the case along Oyster Bay's waterfront these days. Kieran Shea, 44, owner and head baker of The BayKery Cafe in the hamlet's downtown, takes the notion of "orders to go" to new heights - or depths. Since the store opened more than a year ago, customers craving sweets can bypass the cafe entirely and have their orders delivered to them directly on their docked boats, by either dinghy or on Shea's personal 1957 Chris Craft 19-footer, the Doodle Doo.

"People love the idea," Shea said from his nostalgia-adorned restaurant as he waited for a boat delivery order to be completed. "Right now some people deliver to town hall. For me, if you're going to deliver, why not make it someplace exciting? I just think it's a nice service to have."

Customers such as John McGrane, general manager of the Oyster Bay Marine Center marina, agree. McGrane, 54, said the dock has had an added buzz since Shea began making his unique deliveries. "A lot of our customers have used him," he said. "It's worked out kind of nice. He has a nice cuisine. ... You always feel good when you have good food, when your friends and guests enjoy themselves."


For full article, please visit:
http://www.newsday.com/business/ny-bzcafe285779868jul28,0,3310009.story?track=rss

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Neighborhood Nights – Free and Fun Events Offered in Oyster Bay

Oyster Bay, New York – Live performances and community-oriented events called Neighborhood Nights will be hosted at area attractions in Oyster Bay in July and August.

Several venues have agreed to be open after hours to host these special events. Activities run from 6:00pm – 8:00pm each Thursday unless otherwise noted. Admission is free.

Neighborhood Nights is meant to provide a friendly and inviting atmosphere for area residents and families to enjoy the many special sites located throughout Oyster Bay.

The schedule of events and performers follows:

July 17, Thursday, Oyster Bay Historical Society presents Gavin Price, blues singer and guitarist at the Earle-Wightman House, 20 Summit Street, Oyster Bay. Also enjoy period children games, tours of the museum, and have a picnic in our garden.

July 22, TUESDAY, Sagamore Hill National Historic Site presents the Oyster Bay Community Band for a program of traditional band music under Steven Walker, Director. James Foote portraying Theodore Roosevelt will be on hand as well to meet and greet. This is our only Tuesday evening event. Performance will begin at 7pm

July 31, Thursday, Raynham Hall Museum will present Johnny Cuomo, a singer-songwriter who will be performing his repertoire of original, Americana and Irish influenced folk music. Children’s games such as “Graces” and “Rolling Hoops” will be provided for the children’s enjoyment, as well as free house tours for the whole family! At Raynham Hall Museum, 20 West Main Street, Oyster Bay.

August 7, Thursday, Several area musicians will take the stage as part of the Baykery Café’s ongoing Tastebuds & Tunes series. This event will start at 7pm and go as late as 10pm. The Baykery Café is located at 124 South St. in the hamlet of Oyster Bay.

August 14, Thursday, Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park presents Strummin' and Drummin', an interactive and fun kids show, on the Camellia Lawn. The show will start at 7pm and the Gift Shop, Main Greenhouse and historic Coe Hall all will be open from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.. Located at 1395 Planting Fields Rd, Oyster Bay.

August 21, Thursday, The Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary & Audubon Center staff will lead your family on a rousing sing-a-long, conduct a live-animal demonstration, and escort you on a sensory hike. We’ll conclude the evening with our famous Sanctuary S’Mores. Pack a picnic, blanket or lawn chairs and enjoy the evening. Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary & Audubon Center, 134 Cove Road, Oyster Bay.

August 28, Thursday, The series will conclude at Sagamore Hill National Historic Site with the always popular Park Ranger "campfire talk" in the picnic area behind the visitor center. This event will begin at 7PM as Park Rangers weave stories about the National Park Service and Sagamore Hill National Historic Site. Limited seating is available under the tent and visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs to the program.

Those with any questions may contact (516) 922-6982 or visit http://www.oysterbaymainstreet.org/.

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Facades on Prominent Downtown Buildings Get New Look

Oyster Bay, NY – Last month visitors and residents were pleasantly surprised by the new exterior look of several familiar Oyster Bay Village facades.

Two buildings on South Street, extending around the southwest corner on Audrey Avenue--and dating from the turn of the last century--received new paint colors and architectural details that aligned them more closely with their Victorian heritage.


On the storefront level these buildings house the Coin Gallery, Anthony’s Pizza, Gold Leaf Realty, Glamour Inn, Oyster Bay Barbers, and a space soon to become a cooking school. Businesses located on the second floor include Jennifer Quinn Designs, William A. Di Conza, attorney, Newport Engineering, Milestone Maintenance, and Strategizer Data Worms.


The Coin Gallery’s former stark white upper story was painted a warm beige shade from the Benjamin Moore Historical Colors palette, and the existing brick pattern was highlighted in black around the windows. The building to the south was painted a very pleasing sage green shade with terracotta accents in the form of newly added shutters. The brackets at the roofline were also highlighted. It is common and historically accurate to have buildings from the Victorian era wear two or even three different paint colors.
Back in the summer of 2006 the Oyster Bay Main Street Association Design Committee, chaired by architect Ellen Roché, reached out to Mario Vezza, the owner of these properties. They showed him rendered color schemes, and the buildings today reflect colors very close to those renderings. Mr. Vezza said, “This is the first time in my life I ever picked colors. Usually my wife does it. I think it came out great.”

The Coin Gallery, built by Andrew Snouder in 1907, was originally called the North Shore Bank Building. Teddy Roosevelt had his personal vault in the basement and it is still there. The building used to be more of a square shape, with the corner jutting out to the sidewalk edge. In the 1930’s this was cut to make the corner entrance of black granite that shines today.
Larry Berkovitz, one of the owners of the Coin Gallery, is very pleased with the new look of the facade, and happy that his landlord chose such nice colors. He said, “I love the colors they chose. We think it’s fabulous that they’re sprucing up the town.”

It is exciting to see what a difference new paint colors can make in the appearance of the downtown. Parade watchers on the Fourth of July were overheard remarking on how attractive the facades looked.

Any other businesses hoping to achieve a similar outcome are welcome to contact the Oyster Bay Main Street Association for facade improvement suggestions at 516-922-6982 or http://www.oysterbaymainstreet.org/.