Former Violets Blue Storefront Will Soon Have New Tenant

Sayville's Main Street will soon have something else to offer, but the store name, and even type, remains a mystery.

The storefront at 49 Main Street has been vacant since spring 2009, when home-goods store Violets Blue moved to Lake Grove because of a rent increase. But property owner John Finkling said he has received "several" calls about the location from interested businesses and will likely pick a tenant in the next couple of weeks.

Finkling said that he's considering a wide range of options, including a medical group that wants to open a wellness center, a restaurant, an ice cream shop as well as other retailers.

He said he has even heard from some chain stores, though he would not disclose which ones.

For his part, Greater Sayville Chamber of Commerce President Richard Trpicovsky said that his organization is lobbying for a retail store that would bring shoppers onto Main Street.

The storefront "is an anchor in the middle of town," he said.

The Chamber would prefer an independent store to a publicly traded company, Trpicovsky said. But ultimately, that decision lies with Finkling.

Some Sayville business owners have expressed frustration with the long vacancy. Lynn Rhodes, who owns which sits just two stores down, said the empty storefront detracts from Main Street's appeal to shoppers.

"It's not a positive thing, but it has been vacant for so long that I think everyone has gotten used to it," she said.

If she had her pick, Rhodes said she would like to see a bridal store fill the space. "We get a lot of shoppers looking for wedding gifts," she said. "A store that catered to them would be great."

Sayville resident Colleen Prunier has a different idea. The loyal Violets Blue shopper said she misses the store and would like to see it return to Main Street in some capacity.

Though she now must drive almost a half hour, Prunier continues to frequent the establishment, trekking to Lake Grove for jewelry boxes and decorations for her daughter's room.

"When I go up there, I meet other customers from Sayville," she said. "They just have great stuff."