Owner Of 91-Year-Old Northport Sweet Shop: We'll Survive Virus

NORTHPORT, NY — Any business that's been around for 91 years has experienced it all. The Great Depression? Check. The Great Recession? Check. The coronavirus pandemic? That's the current challenge facing Pete Panarites, owner of Northport Sweet Shop.

Panarites, 80, runs the family business that his father, George, founded in 1929. He took over the shop, which includes an ice cream parlor, luncheonette and candy shop, in 1971 after his father fell ill. Panarites, a former high school math teacher, works the shop with his sister, Georgia; niece, Marlene; and nephew, John.

The coronavirus has been a struggle for many merchants, as New York state mandates aiming to curb the virus's spread have limited the types of service they could offer. Drawing on lessons learned from his dad, Panarites believes the family business will remain a staple in the village.

"We’ll survive," he told Patch. "My father got through the Depression, so I should be able to get through this, I hope."

In times of economic hardship, a good cash reserve is crucial for businesses — a lesson his father imparted, Panarites said.

"You don’t know if machinery is gonna break down, or any unforeseen incidents like the virus," he said. "Who would ever have thought last year that [the coronavirus outbreak] would happen? It’s had a great effect throughout our economy."

In his childhood, he would help his parents with the shop after school and on weekends. He fondly recalls his father, who he described as a good but tough, strict person.

"But his heart, oh boy, made of gold," Panarites said. "A heart of gold, he had. He was a hard worker. Today, I have an air conditioner in here, which is a very comfortable working environment. I remember [my father] as a kid: That poor guy was over a grill with a wet bandanna over his forehead and a wet cloth around his neck. He was sweating bullets in the hot heat. I don’t know how he did it. Back then, those guys came from a different era, and I think they’re a little bit tougher than we are today."

The coronavirus situation has been "tough" for Panarites, he said. Northport Sweet Shop doesn't have outdoor dining available, so they couldn't seat customers again until the third phase of the state's reopening plan on June 24 — more than three months after the state shutdown. Even then, the half capacity rule only allows the store to use up to five tables at a time. Currently, as well as before phase three began, the shop is making free local deliveries of food, ice cream, sundae kits and candy.

Before indoor dining was reinstated, Panarites said he had to inform his "old timers" who wanted to sit and have a hamburger that he couldn't permit it due to the state mandate.

Despite inheriting the longtime family operation, Panarites downplayed the level of stress, saying others are struggling more from a financial perspective.

"I’m pretty easy going," he said. "I’m not the richest guy in the world, but I’m not hurting. I’m comfortable, I would say. I feel less pressure. Some people I know are living paycheck to paycheck or something of that nature. I was always conservative with handling money. I always save for something. I know if I have a difficult time — like take this week, I’ve had a few things break down in the store, and I had to call people in to replace motors. That runs up to a couple of thousand dollars, so if you don’t have that, you’re out of business. You’ve got to have a back up for unforeseen circumstances."

Northport Sweet Shop offers fresh ice cream, sundaes, confections and a brunch menu featuring eggs, sandwiches, wraps, burgers and more. Panarites takes pride in the burgers, saying he gets quality, fresh meat daily from a local butcher.

"That makes a big difference," he said. "If you buy frozen stuff, it’s not quite the same. It’s a hamburger, but it’s not quite the same. People recognize that when they taste it."

With the shop having been at 55 Main St. for generations, customers who visited as children are now adults who come with their kids and grandchildren. The customers have been loyal and really supportive, said Marlene Niehaus, 57, who takes pride in the store.

"I love hearing stories of people when they say how they met or memories that they have," Niehaus said. "It’s about gathering. It’s about people coming together. It’s about sharing great memories when they were kids and how they pass that on to their grand-kids. I love that. It’s about being there to help people. You make people happy with ice cream. It warms my heart."

For those seeking delivery of ice cream, sundae kits or candy, call or text Niehaus at 917- 854-6175. Those wishing for takeout of food should call the store at 631-261-3748.

On the Northport Sweet Shop website, Panarites expressed his desire to run the store through its 100th anniversary. With lessons instilled in him by his father and a supportive family around him every day, Panarites is prepared to tackle this challenge head-on.

"The product really sells itself," Panarites said, according to the site. "My father always told me, ‘Don’t compromise on the quality,’ and that’s the key to success and service."