Krista McNally and Rob Taub Support provided by Northwell’s Mather Hospital, which delivers the five-star difference in exceptional care and is ranked by Medicare in the top 5% of hospitals nationwide for overall clinical performance and patient experience the cavernous Centereach Mall space that was once home to Big Lots is set to serve up a different kind of retail therapy a fast-growing indoor pickleball franchise announced Wednesday it is transforming the former big-box retail spot into a giant pickleball club that will open this fall The 33,900-square-foot Picklr club at 217 Middle Country Road will feature 10 professional-grade courts It will be the franchise’s first Long Island location “We expect to announce additional club locations soon,” said Tom Neale a Syosset resident and founder of Arete Sports Group the franchisee with The Picklr rights for Long Island “Part of our mission is to uplift people’s lives through the sport of pickleball and to contribute to the growth of the sport.” The new club is part of The Picklr’s ambitious national expansion with plans to open more than 475 locations and approximately 4,750 courts in the coming years The Centereach facility will offer unlimited open play tournaments and the option for private and semi-private lessons with certified trainers A unique benefit includes membership access to all The Picklr locations nationwide The location’s transformation also marks the end of an era for Big Lots a discount retailer that had been a Long Island staple with numerous locations across Suffolk and Nassau counties The chain struggled in recent years amid retail challenges and changing consumer habits filing for bankruptcy last year and subsequently closing hundreds of its stores the retail chain announced going out of business sales at all of its locations including the remaining Long Island stores in Hicksville Tap here to see what’s happening Get important news about your town as it happens Get the top stories from across our network Are you sure you want to unsubscribe from daily updates Two teens were hurt when a BMW ran a red light and smashed into a Kia during an illegal street race in Bellmore was arrested after officers say he was seen racing westbound in a 2020 BMW on Sunrise Highway around 10:30 p.m Police said he failed to signal while changing lanes and blew through a red light at Newbridge Road — slamming into a 2015 Kia that had the right of way A 17-year-old male who was driving one of the other racing vehicles were taken to a local hospital by Nassau County Ambulance for pain-related injuries Mcarthur was arrested at the scene without incident He has been charged with two counts of Assault in the Third Degree and multiple Vehicle and Traffic Law violations Mcarthur was issued an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in First District Court in Hempstead on Monday Know something about illegal street racing Call Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Long Island’s first Bonchon is set to open this week The popular Korean fried chicken chain is launching at the Centereach Mall in the former home of Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Bonchon’s first Suffolk County location is scheduled to open on Wednesday, March 26. The GLI team got an exclusive first look inside — keep scrolling for photos and video in 2006 with its first location in Fort Lee now boasting more than 455 locations worldwide The chain recently celebrated the opening of its 150th U.S Another Long Island location is also in the works at the New York Samanea Mall in Westbury, with an expected opening this summer, according to a Newsday report Bonchon, which translates to “Crunch Out Loud,” is famous for its hand-battered, double-fried chicken, praised for its signature crispiness. Critics have hailed it as the “best, most affordable fried chicken in the world.” The menu offers a variety of fried chicken options, including drumsticks, strips, and boneless pieces, alongside an assortment of Asian-inspired dishes. Appetizers include bao buns, Korean tacos, and shrimp shumai, while traditional Korean dishes like Japchae — a stir-fried mix of glass noodles, red pepper, carrots, onions, spinach, mushrooms, and bulgogi in soy garlic sauce —are also available. View this post on Instagram A post shared by GLI | Greater Long Island (@greaterlongisland) A man wearing a ski mask and undressed from the waist down was nabbed by police after allegedly exiting a vehicle in the parking lot of a Centereach elementary school last week The incident occurred Wednesday about 4:40 p.m. of Centereach was seen driving a black Nissan around Holbrook Road School’s parking lot police and school Principal Craig Unkenholz said The suspect then allegedly put on a ski mask and Suffolk County police responded and took the man into custody Santorelli pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Thursday in Suffolk County First District Court in Central Islip to charges of indecent exposure child endangerment and loitering on school grounds He was released without bail and is scheduled to be back in court on May 5 “This incident serves as a reminder to all of us of the importance of being aware of our surroundings,” Unkenholz wrote in a letter to the school community staff and community are of the utmost importance to us.” Unkenholz encouraged families to report any suspicious activity to law enforcement and school officials Holbrook Road School is part of the Middle Country School District Top photo: Holbrook Road School in Centereach (Google Maps) If losing a few pounds was on your New Year’s resolution list LA Fitness has announced that it will permanently close its Centereach location at 1934 Middle Country Road A sign posted on the gym’s front doors reads: “This club will be permanently closing Tuesday While a gym employee confirmed the closure no explanation has been provided as to why the location is shutting down no other LA Fitness gyms in the area are affected Members who use the Centereach location as their home club will have their memberships upgraded to multi-club access at no additional cost The nearest LA Fitness locations to Centereach are in Lake Grove The Centereach gym, which opened more than a decade ago, serves as an anchor in a shopping center that also includes Harbor Freight and AutoZone. Before becoming an LA Fitness, the building housed a Waldbaum’s supermarket, which closed in 2010 following the chain’s bankruptcy Top: Exterior of the LA Fitness Centereach location Victoria Gramarossa used to run her own business both she and her sister had babies around the same time The place started feeling like a daycare center “So I sold the salon and dove fully into the mom role,” she said Girl Scouts leader and a two-term PTSA president This time, she and her family from Lake Grove, including her husband of 23 years, Anthony, will be coming with her. The family is running its very own Bango franchise operation together. Their Centereach Bango opens Saturday To the uninitiated, Bango serves salads bills itself as a “better-for-you” food option for entire families In 2023, the company, which was founded in Massapequa Park in 2017, was named among the hottest startup fast-casual restaurants in the U.S “We’re thrilled to celebrate the opening of Bango’s 8th operating location in Centereach led by the incredible Gramarossa family,” said Ryan Thorman “Their dedication and passion for Bango’s mission of delivering fresh fast and friendly service is truly inspiring “We can’t wait to see them thrive at this new location and continue their journey with two more locations in development.” Anthony Gramarossa actually discovered a Bango location in his travels he rushed home to his wife and raved about it saying the family should definitely get involved I could taste how fresh the ingredients were,” Victoria said “But my decision wasn’t made immediately.” “trying just about everything on the menu delicious and they make it right there in front of you in a short time I was behind it 1000 percent The family inked its deal with Bango about two years ago also marking Bango’s first signed and official franchisee because their location at the then-planned New Village Plaza building didn’t exist yet the land was just dirt,” Victoria said “It was all built from the ground up “But I’m super excited,” she added The family’s next two Bango locations are both planned for northern Suffolk County Check back at Greater Long Island for updates. Top: Victoria and Anthony Gramarossa at the family’s new Bango franchise location in Centereach Executive Circle Awards National pickleball franchise to open its first Long Island club  Sign up for your daily digest of Long Island Business News Listen to this article Long Island Business News has announced that it has chosen this year’s winn[...] The financial landscape of Long Island continues to evolve through the leadership of the remarkable [...] Long Island’s business landscape contains a remarkable tapestry of organizations that have stood t[...] Celebrate International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month by showcasing the extraordinary wo[...] Listen to this article Lorraine Gregory Communications will be holding a blood drive at its Edgewood[...] Long Island lost 3,100 construction jobs year-over-year in March ending a 12-month streak of gains,[...] Kids Empire and My Gym are opening at Mayfair Shopping Center in Commack Chick-fil-A opens its 12th Long Island location in East Meadow creating 80 jobs and supporting loca[...] Realty Three plans $120M South Village at Station Crossings with 273 rentals Amazon plans to purchase 26.7 acres of Massapequa’s Sunrise Mall site to build a new South Shore d[...] Our mission at Long Island Business News is to be the vital business news and advertising source to Long Island’s most influential readers Get our free LIBN e-alerts & breaking news notifications Subscribe for access to the latest digital and special editions Global restaurant chain to open its first Long Island location  2025 at 7:51 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}A vehicle overturned in a two-vehicle crash on Wireless Road in Centereach on Monday night NY — A vehicle overturned in a two-vehicle crash on Wireless Road in Centereach on Monday night A police spokeswoman told Patch that officers responded near Bette Ann Drive just after 5 p.m Further details were not immediately available Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. 2025 at 7:38 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}A male suspect swiped a PlayStation 5 worth around $500 from Walmart at the Centereach Mall on Jan NY — A male suspect swiped a PlayStation 5 worth around $500 from Walmart at the Centereach Mall on Jan which is located off of Middle Country Road the suspect can be seen wearing a tie-dyes hood It is the second time since the beginning of the year that a PlayStation has been swiped from local Walmarts On Valentine's Day, the gaming system was swiped from Walmart in Middle Island Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward for information leading to arrests in the case Anyone with information can submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS which can be downloaded through the App Store Tips can also be submitted online at www.P3Tips.com Suffolk cops are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the hatchet-wielding man who robbed a Centereach 7-Elevenin September The man — dressed in all black and wearing a Pittsburgh Pirates baseball cap under a hoodie — entered the store Sept and smashed a glass countertop lottery display with a hatchet The suspect demanded money from an employee who in turn handed the cash register drawer to the suspect captured by a surveillance camera inside the 7-Eleven at 135 Mark Tree Road shows that the man was also wearing sunglasses you’ll see an individual reach behind the front counter and hack away at the cash machine with the hatchet a hatchet is all too frequently used during violent crimes in the United States Rap recording artist Silento — perhaps best known for his 2015 hit, “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)” — faced felony assault charges after allegedly attacking two strangers with a hatchet in 2020, authorities said publicly. Silento later was indicted on murder charges related to the killing of his cousin in Atlanta in 2021 police needed rubber bullets to subdue a hatchet-wielding man at a Fuddruckers restaurant in Sterling Heights The man had threatened to attack the cops with the axe and also shouted his intentions to possibly commit suicide He was arrested and taken to a hospital for mental health evaluation and treatment a man armed with a hatchet was arrested late last month after allegedly holding three people hostage The 53-year-old man taped the hatchet to his wrist according to a Fox 13 Salt Lake City report The suspect allegedly swung the hatchet at his captives when they begged to leave the Motel 6 room witnesses are quoted as saying the man was “agitated and paranoid.” In Puyallup, Washington, last month, police arrested a man for attacking people with a hatchet and other weapons as they walked along a riverside walking trail, according to a Komo News report Witnesses in the Puyallup incident reported seeing the suspect with a machete and hatchet trying to attack an individual on the trail The video below is dramatic footage — taken by authorities aboard a helicopter — of the search for the suspect and ultimately his arrest A man who asked for and was refused free food at a McDonald’s in Chicago in August struck a teen and two 45-year-old women with a hatchet, police told the Chicago Sun-Times Also in August, cops in Frisco, Colorado, arrested a man who allegedly threw a hatchet at another man during a bar room argument, the Summit Daily reported The hatchet missed the targeted man and did not hit anyone Closer to home, police in Worcester, Massachusetts arrested a man in July for allegedly striking a man in the neck with a hatchet And back in June, a man in Grovesprings, Missouri, went to jail for after attacking and seriously injuring his neighbors with a hatchet, inclluding a pregnant woman, Ozark Radio News reported 2025 at 4:24 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}A person was killed in a three-vehicle crash in Centereach on Thursday NY — A driver was killed in a three-vehicle crash in Centereach on Thursday morning A person was driving a Honda Pilot southbound on Nicolls Road when the Honda crossed into the northbound lanes and struck a 2022 Buick Encore around 7:40 a.m. The Buick then sideswiped a 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee The driver of the Honda was pronounced dead at the scene Police are withholding their name until their next of kin is notified suffered injuries that are not life-threatening and was taken to a hospital The vehicles were impounded for safety checks Detectives are asking anyone with information on the crash to contact the Sixth Squad at 631-854-8652 Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. The two tickets were sold at Cards & Gifts Inc The winning numbers were drawn from a field of one to 69 with the red Powerball drawn from a separate field of one to 26 New Yorkers struggling with a gambling addiction, or who know someone who is, can find help at NYProblemGamblingHelp.org by calling New York's toll-free confidential HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) 2024 at 1:42 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}A 40-year-old Centereach man was arrested in connection with violating the county’s social host law after officers found more than 100 teenagers and "multiple intoxicated individuals" were taken to local hospitals on Saturday NY — A 40-year-old Centereach man was arrested in connection with violating the county’s social host law after officers found more than 100 teenagers and "multiple intoxicated individuals" were taken to local hospitals on Saturday Officers responded to his Ellbridge Lane home after a 911 caller reported a large party just before 10 p.m. The man was additionally charged with endangering the welfare of a child and will be arraigned at a later date NY) – NYS Senator Dean Murray recently presented Jack McCarthy with a NYS Senate Proclamation in recognition of the 50th Anniversary of McCarthy’s Pub in Centereach The original McCarthy’s Pub opened its doors in Hauppauge Whether sponsoring little league baseball teams hosting fundraisers for local charities and non-profit organizations McCarthy's Pub has always stayed involved in the community.  Jack Jr credits the success of McCarthy's Pub to it being built on a foundation of family values and exceptional service The family aspect of McCarthy's Pub will continue as Jack Jr who vows that McCarthy’s Pub will continue to serve as a gathering place where memories are made and milestones are celebrated.  and I can say without hesitation that McCarthy's Pub is what small business is all about because they honestly care about their community and the people in it I say... Congratulations on your 50th Anniversary and I hope you have many more years of creating memories in the community you love,” said NYS Senator Dean Murray Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page.