Developer: Kosher Deli Has Sights on Westhampton Beach

A new kosher luncheonette may be on the horizon in Westhampton Beach after the Beach Bakery and the The Hampton Synagogue broke ties in October, leaving virtually no kosher options.

On Thursday evening, Barry Bernstein, of the Manhattan-based Ambar Realty Corporation, will present a proposal to the Westhampton Beach Planning Board at 7 p.m. to bring a new luncheonette and retail space to a vacant 8,653 square-foot lot at the corner of Main Street and Library Avenue Extension.

Bernstein says he is in negotiations with a possible kosher vendor for the luncheonette portion of the project.

"Nothing is finalized, but it is something we are looking into," said Bernstein. "There is a pretty big Jewish community and Kosher would probably be a good use."

As to the retail portion of the new building, Berstein said he is talking with a women's boutique.

The project, according to Westhampton Beach Building and Zoning Administrator Paul Houlihan, calls for the construction of a 3,000-squire-foot, two-story building, set three feet off Main Street — two thirds of the building will be dedicated to the luncheonette and a third to retail.

"It meets the master plan goals and the B-1 zoning district design standards," said Houlihan, adding that he does not anticipate the planning board having any problems with the application.

The application was officially submitted on Nov. 20, but unofficial plans have been in the building department's hands for a few months with the department requesting some minor adjustments.

Bernstein said he has been waiting nine years to bring this project to fruition and it is only now that he feels it will be viable.

"The economy and real estate market is starting to turn around and I really think Westhampton Beach is going to benefit from the strengthening of the economy," he said.

Bernstein anticipates that he will have all the permits in place for his project by the end of January and if all goes according to schedule, construction will start right away with the new businesses open by the start of the season in May.

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