Tenants have already started moving into the luxury apartments at Station Yards, the vast multiuse development rising alongside the LIRR tracks in Ronkonkoma. Soon, they’ll be able to grab a drink and a meal without crossing the street.
The newest venue to announce its involvement with the project is Artemis, designed as an homage to the speak-easies of the 1920s and ’30s that were pioneers in the art of the cocktail.
According to co-owner Ed Fabian, the menu will feature both alcoholic and nonalcoholic creations, and, adding to its exclusivity, there will be lockers for members to keep private stashes of liquor, and both private and public events, including cocktail classes and tastings.
Behind the eatery with Fabian, a partner at Billie’s 1890 in Port Jefferson, is Brendan Mooney of the Fire Island Ferries and Shoreline Trading Company and Anthony Vero of Aurora Contractors. The eponymous Artemis was a prohibition-era rum runner that supplied Long Island speak-easies before being captured by the Coast Guard and, eventually, pressed into service as a Fire Island ferry.
The 2,000-square-foot establishment plans to launch in September, by which time a number of Station Yards’ previously announced tenants should be open. Of the 20 or so retail spaces, almost half are spoken for by prominent local businesses, including Toast Coffeehouse, Lucharitos, Great South Bay Brewery, The Tap Room, Vespa Italian Kitchen & Bar, Poki Poke and Redefine Meals.
Chris Kelly, vice president of marketing for developer Tritec Real Estate, said the team sought out local operators.
“When we started public hearings in 2011,” he recalled, “we realized how many people start their journeys here after they get off the train at Ronkonkoma. That station is the front door of Long Island and we wanted to make it authentically Long Island.”
When it is completely occupied, the 53-acre Station Yards will comprise more than 1,000 apartments but Kelly, who grew up in Ronkonkoma and still lives there, said he expects it to attract visitors from all over central Suffolk.
“People in Ronkonkoma, Holbrook, Nesconset, Centereach, Selden — they’ll go spend the evening in Port Jefferson because there are no true destinations closer to home. We want to create a destination in the middle of the Island.”
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