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By Mike White 🇺🇸 Jan. 6, 2025

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☕ Good morning, Long Island!

🧣The holidays are over, but let's not get depressed; let's get cozy. Winter is a time to rest, recharge and take it easy. It's a great excuse to not do much of anything.

✍🏼 Feel free to respond to this email with feedback!

Weather: Mostly cloudy with a high near 42

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OUR SPONSORS

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First, Whiskey Down Diner announces Babylon location, set to open in 2026

🛞 Whiskey Down Diner is expanding beyond Farmingdale, announcing plans to open a second location in Babylon in 2026. The news, shared as a milestone moment for the six-year-old diner, has fans buzzing.

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Second, Sprouts Farmers Market set to open this month in Centereach

🛒 Sprouts Farmers Market is set to open its first New York location in Centereach later this month. The natural and organic grocery chain will bring a new shopping option to Long Island.

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Third, Houlihan’s joins long list of chain restaurants Long Islanders have lost

🕰️ Long Island's last Houlihan’s served its last meal on New Year’s Eve, closing the book on a spot tied to countless birthdays, first dates and family dinners. From Beefsteak Charlie’s and Cooky’s to Bennigan’s and beyond, click here for a nostalgic trip down memory lane of chain restaurants Long Islanders still miss.

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More headlines to highlight

☀️ Morning Rose Cafe is serving up a comeback in Bellmore after an abrupt closure last year. The beloved local breakfast spot is back and welcoming fans with open arms.

🍫 The Chocolate House opened its first Long Island location in Bethpage, bringing gourmet sweets and handcrafted treats to the area. Locals are already lining up to indulge in the new dessert destination.

📸 Wegmans confirmed it uses facial recognition at some New York City stores but declined to say whether the system is in place at its Lake Grove location. What’s happening at the Long Island store remains unclear.

⛸️ Actor Jeremy Allen-White laced up at the Port Jefferson ice rink during a Long Island holiday stay. Fans snapped photos and shared the surprise celebrity sighting.

🎶 An East Northport native is on a mission to listen to and rank 1,000 albums — covering classics to deep cuts. His countdown aims to spark conversation and share musical favorites with the community.

🛍️ A new Trader Joe’s sign is up, signaling an upcoming opening that’s got Long Islanders excited. The popular grocery chain is moving closer to officially joining the local lineup.

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NOW HIRING

As AI disrupts offices, GallettAir makes its push for new technicians

🤖 As AI cuts into white-collar roles, GallettAir is leaning into the demand for hands-on trade work and actively hiring new HVAC technicians on Long Island. The family-owned company sees this shift as an opportunity for career changers and young workers to build stable, in-demand skills

Greater Babylon coverage is funded in part by The Argyle Theatre, where Broadway comes to Babylon. Click here for tickets.