After Less Than a Year in Business, CU29 Closes

After a little less than a year in business, South Main Street's CU29 restaurant closed its doors in late August.

CU29, which opened in November of 2009, was housed in the site formerly known as Collins & Main, one of Sayville's standby restaurants. The building owners took over the space and opened CU29 but it just wasn't generating enough profits, sources say.

A sign is already up announcing the new incoming occupants: Butera's Italian Restaurant.  With existing locations in Woodbury, Smithtown, Massapequa and Seaford, Butera's is hoping to have much success with its casual, neighborhood-style dining, said Gary Butera, co-owner.

This is a family-run business. Three of the four owners, Martin Butera, his wife Laurie, Gary Butera, and Nick Zografos, are also chefs. Martin Butera brings the experience of growing up in his father's pizzeria, Gary Butera trained at France's acclaimed Cordon Bleu, and Zografos attended New York Restaurant School. The three orchestrate a menu featuring New Italian cuisine with Northern and Southern influence. "You will often see me in the kitchen cooking, and my sister in law hosting tables," Gary Butera said.

According to Gary Butera, the Sayville location has a tentative opening date in the beginning of October. Right now, they are getting the restaurant in order – the floors are being sanded and refinished this week.  For a sneak peek at the menu, check out the restaurant's website.