With 'circus' in town, canceled tutoring, changed Father's Day plans

Outside the King Kullen on Montauk Highway in Hampton Bays, shoppers said the traffic brought by the U.S. Open was altering their plans.

Liz Nacinovich, who lives in Queens and frequently visits Hampton Bays, said it took her sister an hour and a half to get from her home in Hampton Bays to the elementary school in Southampton where she teaches, and she canceled her morning tutoring appointments for fear of being late. Her commute usually takes an hour, due to the "trade parade" — the collection of contractors, landscapers and other workers traveling to the Hamptons each day.

"She was hoping that maybe the trades wouldn't be as bad. but she said this morning it was just as bad," Nacinovich said. "It’s stressful."

While she is in town, Nacinovich said she plans to avoid major roads and enjoy the comfort of her sister's home and its surrounding area.

Nacinovich said she and her family were considering celebrating Father’s Day on the East End, but with the sporting event, they may spend the holiday in Queens.

"With this circus going on, I’m not going to be able to get reservations, all the prices are jacked up, and you don't want to sit in traffic," she said. "So it altered ... the family's ability to enjoy our home."

Tina Belvedere, 76, Hampton Bays, said the parking lot at the King Kullen shopping center is usually fairly empty on a Monday morning. But on Monday, the lot was mostly full, and she figured the sporting event was the reason why.

“Last time it really bothered me, because I was working in Southampton. It was terrible,” said Belvedere, who used to worked for a veterans organization. “But now I'm retired. I guess it brings money into the town. I guess it’s OK.”