THIS WEEK: Bay Shore Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 5110
Bay Shore, NY 11705
631-665-7003
By Steve Starlust, Vice President,
Bay Shore Chamber of Commerce
The Bay Shore Chamber of Commerce was established in 1949. Today, this successful organization boasts over 250 active members. Under the leadership of President Donna Periconi and Executive Vice President Steve Starlust, the chamber successfully promotes local businesses in many ways.
This year we celebrated our 9th Annual Bay Shore-Brightwaters St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which drew nearly 15,000 attendees to our downtown. Bay Shore’s annual “Restaurant Week” returns with special prix fixe entrees at just $20.09 each. Special events include the Annual Distinguished Citizen Award Dinner, Memorial Day Parade, Entenmann’s Great South Bay Run, and the 9th annual “ARTS FESTIVAL BY THE BAY” (a performing arts extravaganza enjoyed by over 20,000 people each year).
For our families, children and seniors, we present at the Band Shell, a “Children’s Main Street 4th of July Celebration” and “Magic Carpet Story Time”; the highly successful “Summertime in The Park” concert series; the “Brown-Bag Lunch Time” concert series; and the Bay Shore-Brightwaters Symphonic Band performances. This year we will also have our first Historic Houses Tour.
During the holidays we have our Snow Flake sale and visit from Saint Nicholas.
A Winter Festival and highly anticipated annual “Light the Night” neighborhood participation event are sponsored by the Beautification Society.
In the past 15 years, the Chamber has acquired over $20 million in County, State and Federal funding and grants to install over 500 traditional lamp posts along the business district, beautify the waterfront, and renovate the downtown area. With over 25 renowned eateries, Bay Shore has become the “Restaurant Mecca of the South Shore.”
The Chamber is honored to be working with the Westfield Shopping Organization, which is planning a $110 million renovation and improvements to the mall over the next 24 months. This should increase shopping traffic by as much as 30 percent.
Major improvements to the LIJ Southside Hospital along the main street, the addition of new offices from Good Sam Hospital, and numerous doctors’ offices, provide residents with the most comprehensive medical care anywhere. The Bay Shore Chamber of Commerce was instrumental in bringing the prestigious Touro Medical School to the area, and securing the funding for the newly renovated Bay Shore Rail Road station.
On the western end of Main Street, the Bay Shore-Brightwaters Public Library has recently finished its major expansion project, making it an unsurpassed resource for young and old. Dedicated shopkeepers specializing in a wide array of merchandise and services allow Long Islanders to find exceptional values, along with the ambience of our quaint town, simply known as the “Heart of the South Shore.”
