Atlantic Cove receives approval for restaurant

After years of reworking their application, the owners of Atlantic Cove Marina, formerly Windswept, have received approval for a special permit for a modification of their site plan to include a restaurant with outdoor seating.

Located at 215 Atlantic Avenue, the East Moriches Marina will now be able to accommodate a restaurant tenant to run the accessory restaurant. The applicant originally requested to convert the permit, issued by the Suffolk County Department of Health, for 60 outdoor seats to 15 indoor and 90 outdoor; however, as of the July Brookhaven Town Planning Board meeting, the owners are now moving forward with 38 seats outside and 41 seats inside.

According to the applicant’s expeditor, Peggy Kelly, they have met the list of conditions put forth by the board. The East Moriches Property Owners’ Association vice president Jim Gleason also suggested some of the following conditions after meeting by Zoom with John Cestare, the proposed owner and operator of the restaurant, and Jodi Giglio, his expediter:

A successful restaurant at this location that would serve the needs of residents of East Moriches and nearby communities. We would not want another restaurant that does not follow a realistic business model. Such a model needs to take into account the low density of this area, the low likelihood of drawing many customers during the winter months, the impact of bad weather during the warm season, and the pricing level of local communities, including families with children.

Outdoor seating at this location during warm, clement weather should attract customers.

There must be enough parking spaces.

Entertainment will consist of one acoustical guitar player with no amplification and would not offend anyone nearby.

The recommendations included some for the marina as well, including enclosed dumpsters and to remove the non-dark-skies-compliant lighting

Councilman Dan Panico confirmed the town approvals and said the business is now all set to get the restaurant up and running. “They are ready to make this a successful waterfront restaurant and marina,” he said.