Sachem Business Beat

Welcome to Sachem Patch's new feature "Sachem Business Beat," an overview of news, updates, reports and observations of what's happening in the business community in our area. Got any tips? Heard about a great deal going on somewhere in Sachem? Email us at matthew.mcgevna@patch.com and we'll look into it for this notebook.

J. Kings Foods Offers Development Courses for Independents

Holtsville-based food distributor J. Kings Foods will be offering a host of classes to aid and educate independent food businesses who are having difficulty competing with the larger chains. According to a release from the company, the courses will range from financing and menu design to cost control and food safety. Dubbed by the company as "Independent University," its goal is to lend professional development to restaurants, bars, bistros, cafes and bodegas that otherwise don't have the time or resources to figure out ways to boost revenue. The courses will be held at institutions all over the New York Metro area, including Hofstra and Stony Brook Universities.

Ronkonkoma Chamber Sets Next Meeting

Fresh off its , the Ronkonkoma Chamber of Commerce wasted no time in announcing its next general meeting, which will be held September 20 at Bruno's. The guest speaker will be Yves R. Michel, from the industrial development agency of Brookhaven Town. Michel is slated to speak about recent ideas to help grow business in Ronkonkoma. Also, for those planning to attend, bring a non-perishable food item to the meeting and the Chamber will make sure it gets to a local food pantry, which is in need of restocking.

D19 on Hawkins Avenue Closed, Seeking New Digs

The bar, restaurant and lounge D19 on Hawkins Avenue just north of Portion Road has closed its doors. According to a source at D19, the establishment was in disrepair and they were in a dispute with the landlord. The Suffolk County Sheriff's Office has slapped a sticker on the door which states that custodianship has returned to the landlord and only the landlord is permitted to enter. The spokesperson for D19 said they are currently looking for another location within the Sachem community.