Manor East Caterers in Massapequa moves closer to comeback
From left: Shekhar Goyal, Shashi Goyal and Sanjay Jain of Escube LLC outside Manor East Caterers in Massapequa earlier this year. Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost
The doors of Manor East Caterers in Massapequa are closer to opening after a developer cleared a major hurdle on Tuesday, paving the way for a comeback as early as next year.
The Town of Oyster Bay approved a special use permit proposed by Escube LLC. The developers purchased the property in 2021 and pitched the plan to revitalize and reopen the site under the venue’s former name. The town held a public hearing on the permit in April.
Shashi Goyal, one of the owners of the one-acre property, attended Tuesday’s town board meeting and said during a phone interview after he was “so excited” the town approved the permit. Before it can open, Goyal said the proposal needs approval from the town’s building department.
“I’ve been waiting for this for four years,” Goyal said. “We plan to open it in six months' time if everything goes well.”
Manor East Caterers was a mainstay for Sweet 16s, christenings, bar and bat mitzvahs and other special occasions. The business opened in 1970 and abruptly closed in 2013, triggering angry demonstrations from patrons who demanded refunds after they booked parties there. In the years that followed, the building fell into disrepair, Goyal has said.
Erik Snipas, a lawyer for the developers, said at the April meeting the former business was operating without proper permits. The new owners needed a special use permit to operate there.
Goyal said Tuesday the town asked for restrictions and other requirements to prevent disruption to the community. The business must obtain a liquor license and limit off-site parking.
Marta Kane, a town spokeswoman, said in an email the business also cannot use the basement for events or hold more than two parties at a time to address parking concerns.
The developer's plan called for 70 parking spaces, one more than required by town code, Newsday has reported.
The developers signed a deal with a nearby doctor’s office to serve as a site for overflow parking during business hours, Goyal said.
At Tuesday’s meeting, the town also approved a special use permit for an Action Black fitness facility in Woodbury. That proposal requires the zoning board to approve a parking variance, Kane said.
Sarra Sounds Off, Ep.16: From Island to island, how football helped overcome tragedy Newsday's Gregg Sarra talks to Carey football player James McGrath about how he has persevered after losing his parents at a young age, and to the Lahainaluna (Hawaii) High School football coach about how his team persevered after the Maui wildfires of 2023, plus a behind-the-scenes look at the All-Long Island teams photo shoot.
Sarra Sounds Off, Ep.16: From Island to island, how football helped overcome tragedy Newsday's Gregg Sarra talks to Carey football player James McGrath about how he has persevered after losing his parents at a young age, and to the Lahainaluna (Hawaii) High School football coach about how his team persevered after the Maui wildfires of 2023, plus a behind-the-scenes look at the All-Long Island teams photo shoot.
