Pine Island community enjoys

resurgence in business activity PINE ISLAND - On Thursday, March 13, a group of local officials and representatives from local media were reminded of progressive dinners and the like where people rush from house to house for a special event. The Pine Island Chamber of Commerce, under the direction of Cheetah Haysom da Parma, had invited Warwick Town Supervisor Michael Sweeton, members of the press and others to four Pine Island ribbon-cutting ceremonies, all within the span of two hours. “I believe that the number of new business openings today,” she said, “reflects a growing confidence in the commercial viability of Pine Island.” Rachael Gottfried, owner of Rachael’s Backdoor Bargains, 610 Route 1, for example, recently reorganized her salvage/discount business in the Drew Garage building. Gottfried, a resident of Pine Island, has a discounted inventory of non-perishables including hardware, electronics, cosmetics, clothes, toys and more. Call 258-7373. Pro Automotive, at the intersection of County Route 1 and Pulaski Highway, is right in the heart of the hamlet. Owners Vinny and Sue Troia have recently brightened up the gas station with fresh paint and other renovations. Vinny Troia has been in the auto repair business all his life and will provide full auto repair service. The long established gas station, now reopened, will soon offer New York State inspections. Call 981-7175. A short distance down the road, Warwick residents Barbara Wechsler and Jennifer Ruffo just opened a collectibles-to-antiques store in what was the old Pine Island Hotel. Pine Island Peddler, 18 Pulaski Highway, sells a variety of collectibles, furniture, pottery, art, jewelry and more. The partners also currently run Jen’s Basement, a similar business, on Route 94 in the Village of Florida. Call 234-0713. Finally, Eileen Piasecki-Couch of Westtown, brought her successful mail-order company, Pine Island Herb and Spice, to a retail shop on Transport Lane, just off County 1. While continuing her catalog sales, Piasecki-Couch now opens her doors to the public on Thursdays and Fridays when they can purchase a variety of dried herbs and spices along with prepared mixes while enjoying a fresh cup of coffee. Call 258-4372. Chamber Director Cheetah Haysom da Parma also reports that Pine Island is experiencing even more economic development with several new businesses on the horizon. “For example,” she said, “it is a significant boost that the JADS farm market is back again this year selling fresh, locally grown produce right in the heart of the hamlet. And,” she added, “Jack’s Plaza, Brian Singer’s mini-mall on County Rote 1 opens in June with a restaurant, flooring store, beauty salon, and other tenants.” Haysom de Parma explained that Pine Island property sales and rentals are somewhat lower than other areas in the Town of Warwick and that, she believes, appeals to smaller or start-up operations.