Business Q&A: Starfish Creations

Merrick home-based business offers interesting, handmade wares.

Started by Merrick resident Ellyn Ladd out of her home back in 2000, Starfish Creations eventually overtook her day job as her business grew and grew. Offering a wide variety of party supplies as well as tie-dye clothing as sold through her website, Starfish Creations only looks to continue its success leading into 2012 and beyond. Ladd spoke to Patch about what makes owning your own business in Merrick special. What kind of items do you offer? I do announcements and invitations and I do party favors. I also do tie-dyed clothing, which is a big part of my business. What go you into this type of business? I used to own a cookie company and then I had kids. I needed a job where I could be were my kids were and so before my daughter was born…

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You Review: Nitro

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Where to Get Your Super Bowl Eats

Throwing a party? Find out where to get the best Super Bowl catering deals in town.

Getting a big group of friends and family together to watch the Big Game but still don't know what to order? Patch got the scoop on some of the best Super Bowl eats. Bagel Biz in East Meadow has several party heroes available. A three foot hero is $39.99, a four foot hero costs $49.99 and a five foot hero is $69.99. Bagel Biz also has giant party bagels platters available. Please inquire for pricing. Want something more than just your everyday hero? Give Crave Deli a call and grab a platter of their gourmet sandwiches. Options are also available for vegetarians and vegans, so while you are stuffing your face with wings, your favorite veggie lover can be stuffing their face too! Really want a hero? Crave has those as well and they range in …

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Jaime Sumersille

7:42 am on Friday, February 3, 2012

Thanks @Bill and @Jim for the additions!   more ›

LIRR Officials Give Updates on Local Train Stations

Nassau County Legis., Dave Denenberg, D-Merrick, presents forum for Babylon branch commuters at Wantagh Public Library,

Local Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) commuters aired their concerns regarding the conditions of local Babylon branch train stations during a forum held Monday night at the Wantagh Public Library. The forum, which was presented by Nassau County Legis., Dave Denenberg, D-Merrick, addressed issues related to the LIRR stations in Seaford, Wantagh, Bellmore, Merrick and Freeport. Some of the issues raised by the more than a dozen people who attended the forum included: Addressing concerns at Monday’s meeting were LIRR officials Patrick C. Gerakaris, a branch line manager for the South Nassau District, and Robert Brennan, director of government and community relations. Both Gerakaris and Brennan are Wantagh residents. Brennan said the Wantagh …

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100 Things to do in Merrick

#48 – Berne Jewelers

A local jewelry store with a large assortment of great gifts.

Berne Jewelers is located in the Merrick Plaza shopping center. The store has been open since 1996 and offers an assortment of jewelry from watches to earrings. The store is small but staff is professional and helpful. Patrons can ask for advice for anything from a birthday gift to picking out an engagement ring. The shop also does repairs, will replace watch batteries and offers gift wrapping.  With Valentine's Day just around the corner, stop in and find that perfect present for that special someone. Information:                    Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.                    Sunday: Closed

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Team of Brothers from Merrick Opens Ice Cream Shop in Bellmore

The new Hershey's on Bedford Avenue is owned by the Gies Family.

Tommy Gies remembered when he and his brothers would sit in a McDonald's in Merrick and laugh and enjoy treats as children. As adults, they wanted to give kids a place where they can eat and socialize. "Our hopes were to provide a nice place for the kids of Bellmore to sit and eat ice cream," Gies said. Gies and his brothers, Bobby and Ronnie, of Merrick, celebrated the grand opening of their Hershey's Ice Cream Shop at 305-309 Bedford Ave. on Saturday. The store was full of patrons, indulging in an array of ice cream flavors, on its opening day. "We got a beautiful day and the store is extremely crowded," Gies said. "People are definitely excited that Hershey's opened in Bellmore." The shop is set up as a 50s-style ice cream parlor with …

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You Review: Xtreme Gym

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PHOTOS: Merrick Chamber of Commerce Kicks off 2012

The group installed new officers and named its Man and Woman of the Year.

On Thursday, the Merrick Chamber of Commerce held their 2012 Installation Dinner at the Chateau Briand in Carle Place, where Randy Shotland, the current Chamber president, was sworn in to another term by New York State Assemblyman David McDonough, along with several other new board members. The Chamber also honored their 2012 Man of the Year, Alphonse Lage, and Woman of the Year, Meme Wanderman. This evening the businesses of the Merrick came together as one to strengthen their cause of supporting each other going into 2012 and beyond.

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Claudia Borecky

3:40 pm on Sunday, January 29, 2012

Congratulations Al and MeMe. You are both very giving people. Merrick is a better place because of all you do.   more ›

Merrick Mall Spaces up for Grabs

Two vacant stores are available in the strip mall.

Two empty stores sit in the Merrick Mall looking for a neighborhood-type tenant, said Chris of Realty Insight Group, which owns the space. "We have two spaces – one is 900 square feet and the other is 3,000 square feet," he said. The 3,000 square foot space also has a partial basement, but neither space can be divided into multiple units. Chris did say that tenants have been interested, even though there is nothing definite yet. A woman's clothing store has been exploring the space and at one point, a liquor store was slated to go in one of them but it couldn't get approval from the state for a license. "I would like to see a liquor store go in there because there is no liquor store there with good parking," Chris said. "I'd also like to …

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Emily Jane Cappiello

2:10 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012

Francine, I'm not sure, but according to Chris, it is actually going to be happening very soon. I can call Stop & Shop for you and see if I can get a time frame.   more ›

Vacancy Poll: What Would You Like to See?

Newly re-designed La Bottega leaves a gap in Merrick strip mall.

Recently, it was announced that La Bottega would re-open with a smaller location. According to the owner, Eric Chosed of the TAC Corporation, which owns the strip mall space, the new layout of the eatery left another vacancy that will need to be filled. "It is taking half of the space that it used to have, which will result in one small vacancy that we are hoping will rent quickly," Chosed said. What would you like to see in this space? What do you feel would be a good fit for the community? Tell us in the comment section.   Patch will regularly spotlight vacant commercial properties in effort to initiate a discussion within the community about alternative uses for these abandoned places. If you'd like to know more about a specific …

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