Station Yards biz owner: Strike would pose 'huge problem'

At Station Yards in Ronkonkoma, many businesses told Newsday they fear the strike would hurt their establishments, as they depend on commuters.

"I'm very nervous about potential strike," said Abby Marr, general manager at Mexican restaurant Lucharitos Taco & Tequila Bar. "I think it's not only going to impact us, but all the businesses around here. We rely heavily on that foot traffic that does come from the train, and not to mention this is a new development."

Located in the center of the Station Yards square, Lucharitos has been in operation for over a year, Marr said.

While business has been good as the establishment tries to host events and interact with customers on social media, Marr said she sees a "huge problem" with the potential strike.

"We rely a lot of people to discover this new development that come off the train," she said. "We rely heavy on the weather as well, so hearing that is going to be great weather, finally, on the weekend and a potential strike does make me a little nervous."

If the strike is still ongoing, if this continues for extended period of time into the summer, that's when the problems will start to pile up a little bit more.

— Rohnit "Ron" Narchal, co-owner of Wine & Liquor Cabinet

Rohnit "Ron" Narchal, 21, of Holbrook, and his father co-own Wine & Liquor Cabinet, which just had a grand opening last month.

As a new business that competes with a convenience store closer to the tracks, Narchal said they are still trying to establish themselves with the community.

The store is within the inner square of Station Yards.

"Right now, we do have commuters from the train come in," Narchal said.

Narchal said the store wouldn't immediately feel effects if a strike were to happen. But it could hurt business as the weather gets warmer and when people buy a six pack to take on the train to a sports game.

"If the strike is still ongoing, if this continues for extended period of time into the summer, that's when the problems will start to pile up a little bit more," he said.

If they're not taking the train, they're not coming here. That's really what it boils down to.

— Scott Palmer, general manager of Great South Bay Brewery

Scott Palmer, general manager of Great South Bay Brewery, told Newsday he fears customers won't come to pregame or postgame various sporting events, like the upcoming Subway Series at CitiField this weekend, if a strike were to occur.

"They come in, they have lunch, they have dinner… They have a few beers, they take a six pack, they get on the train," Palmer said. "If they're not taking the train, they're not coming here. That's really what it boils down to."

Palmer said the brewery plans to have pregame specials this weekend.

Palmer said he receives an influx of business around hockey games at UBS in the wintertime as well.

But the warmer months tend to be slower for business as many people spend time outside or at the beach.

"It's been a long time since they've come this far," Palmer said of the LIRR workers. "We'll see how it works out."

Right now, hasn't really affected us… but I'm kind of worried though.

— Carl Klass, manager and head chef of The Pink Fin

Carl Klass, manager and head chef of fast casual poke bowl restaurant The Pink Fin, also told Newsday he fears that commuters won't patronize the store if a strike occurs.

"I mean, right now, hasn't really affected us… but I'm kind of worried though," he said.

Klass said he is also worried about his fiancee, who works as a teacher in New Jersey and relies on the transit system to get to school.

Every day she wakes up around 4 a.m. to ride the LIRR, then take a train to New Jersey before ultimately taking an Uber to work — about a 3-hour commute one way, Klass said.

Lately, she has had difficulty walking and is looking for a closer job, he said.

"I feel terrible," Klass said. "I never really thought it would impact her that much."

Klass also added he thinks the LIRR union workers should receive a raise as they "work hard."

"They should work something out," Klass said. "Because without transportation, you know, it's going to be a problem."