This week in Oyster Bay newsletter: Where did all the oysters go?

Happy Friday, folks. Welcome to the inaugural Oyster Bay newsletter, where each week I'll bring you up to speed on what's going on in town. 

I'll go through some stories you've read about the communities in town and maybe touch on some you haven't. We'll have food stories, development stories and everything in between. 

For our first edition, we'll start off with a fitting subject: oysters. 

They're part of the town's identity. In the 1600s, an abundant oyster population inspired Dutch explorers to name the community Oyster Bay.

Today, the reality in the water is bleak. Researchers found severely low clam populations and nearly no oysters in the town's harbors. The town wants to spend millions bringing the bivalves back — and in big numbers.

I spoke with officials and experts about the plan. I rode along as adult shellfish were released into new sanctuary areas where they can grow. I spoke with a bayman about what he's seeing beyond the docks. The result: a deep-dive (pun intended) into the challenge of rebuilding a once-plentiful oyster population.

A key initiative is a proposed $7 million shellfish hatchery earmarked for Tobay Beach on the South Shore. For decades, a commercial hatchery supplied the harbors annually with millions of baby shellfish. The town declined to renew the company's lease nearly two years ago. After the company left, the town studied the waters and found a severely depleted stock, including some oysters in "poor condition."

Can the town bring them back? Experts say it'll take years.

We've got some other big news, but before we get to that, here's a roundup of other stories.

Elsewhere in town

Legendary Farmingdale football coach Buddy Krumenacker says this season will be his last leading the Dalers. This will be his 34th at the helm, and 58th as a Long Island football coach.

The Village of Sea Cliff joined a chorus of community and business groups opposing a major power line cable project. Sea Cliff and the Village of East Hills filed paperwork with the state questioning if the project is necessary.

The Mill Neck Manor Apple Festival is getting a revamp for its 70th anniversary. Expect new rides, a walk of fame and photo ops. 

For more things to do in Oyster Bay and across Long Island, check out this Newsday calendar of events.

A new-ish mall?

A $200 million overhaul of the Broadway Commons Mall moved one step closer to reality. 

The project, called The Shops on Broadway, would transform the property into an open-space shopping center after years of struggles. As my colleague Tory Parrish has reported over the years, the proposal would raze the long-vacant Macy's and other stores to create more open areas. Oyster Bay gave key approvals earlier this month. A town hearing in October will review the parking plan.

Our features team recently explored nostalgic venues of the '90s. The Broadway Mall has been a staple of the Long Island social scene, and a retail hub, for decades. Remember shops there like Gadgets and Gizmos? For many, a Friday or Saturday night at the food court and movie theater was part of the weekly plan. 

Do you have some favorite memories at the mall? What do you think about the proposed renovation? Let me know at oysterbay@newsday.com.