Ronkonkoma restaurant owner says construction is hurting business
Nadinea Ramnarain, the owner of From the Earth Foods, says her health-focused restaurant has seen a steep drop in customer traffic due to recurring road closures on and around Railroad Avenue.
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A Ronkonkoma restaurant owner says ongoing construction tied to a major development project is threatening to put her out of business.
Nadinea Ramnarain, the owner of From the Earth Foods, says her health-focused restaurant has seen a steep drop in customer traffic due to recurring road closures on and around Railroad Avenue — closures tied to the nearby Station Yards construction project at the Ronkonkoma train station.
“My restaurant has taken a huge business hit with both foot traffic and car traffic,” Ramnarain said. “I’m okay with it being blocked off or closed, but I need ample notice to make business decisions. I really would like the communication to get better.”
Ramnarain says the closures often happen without warning, forcing her to shut down unexpectedly — and costing her hundreds of dollars in fresh produce that goes to waste. Without consistent customer access, she worries her business may not survive.
Chris Kelly of Tritec Real Estate, the developer behind the Station Yards project, acknowledged the issue and says the street is being closed to allow for utility installation.
“The fact that she is struggling and the road closures have been an issue, we do want to do better,” Kelly said. “If we know something is going to shut down, we can reach out to her.”
Tritec says this phase of the project — and the associated street closures — should wrap up sometime in September.
