Obies Juice and Java, at 30 East Main St. had a "soft opening" on Wednesday, April 2, with an "Open for Business" status as of Monday April 7. It opened to rave reviews from the visitors at the event. There was free coffee for customers on Monday. The front glass window gives a full view of the fun inside. The best thing is that in warm weather, even though the store is air conditioned, the partitioned glass window can be open to the street, making it an outdoor café, said Alex Putterman, facilities manager for the architectural plans for Obies.

The project, which had a kickoff about a year ago in the Computer Associates office of Charles Wang, now retired, was encouraged by the Cove Neck entrepreneur. The project is unique in that the school worked with the young people as they learned how to create a business. It was a real hands-on learning experience. That experience continues as the new Internet café offers after school jobs to some of the students. Samantha Allen was there at the soft opening, looking for a job.

Also present was Kathy Wilson, NYS Senator Carl Marcellino's communications director. The senator had gotten a $80,000 grant for the Oyster Bay East Norwich School District to be used by the young people working at creating Obies Juice & Java.

Standing behind the counter heaped with a full display of bakery products, was Jordan Peterson, the OJJ full-time manager. "There's been a steady stream of people coming in all day," he said. "We bake all our own goods here, although they are not made from scratch. Baking the muffins makes the café smell so nice." The kitchen is spotless. On a shelf there were boxes of oranges and carrots. "They are for making smoothies with a juicer," he said. "It's still a work in progress," said Lizabeth Gismondi, the general manager.

The café is staffed by adults, including John Buchanan, the network administrator; Lizabeth Gismondi, general manager and Carol Gannon, part-time manager. All the adult staff members are called managers said Ms. Gismondi, "We are all doing the same stuff."

"The kids work here, too," said Ms. Gismondi. "They had the idea, brought it all together to create this fine place. They can't work here while they are in school," she said. The store is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. "That may change according to business," she said.

There are several areas where people can sit in Obies Juice & Java. There is a bank of computers along the left hand wall. Playing together at flat screen computers were Arthur Yeh and Iva Vukiecevic, both in 10th grade.

Sitting in a comfortable-looking area by the front window were OBEN Board Trustee Dolores Grieco, with her grandson Joseph Sheehan, OBEN Board President Robin Dando and OBHS art teacher Karen Crowley. Ms. Crowley is credited with decorating the café walls with work by her photography students. They hope that each month, other teachers will offer their students' work for display.

Carol Gannon, part-time manager said, "The greatest thing about this project is its students' centeredness. A year ago there was a hair salon/beauty parlor here and just to see the looks on the kids faces about how far they were able to take this thing is amazing." She is an East Norwich resident and loves the the hamlet of Oyster Bay. "It's a little bit like a New England village," she said.

Brad Goldberg said, "We paid for the flat screen monitors but are hoping to get local businesses to sponsor them with their name on a screensaver."

OBEN Board Trustee Dolores Grieco said, "This is wonderful because it utilizes different talents of the students. Usually we are tapping into athletic or academic talents. This is actually putting something together and seeing the results out in the community - in the real world. People often say 'how are they going to do in the real world?' This is the real world," she said.

Construction for OJJ began on Sept, 12. The hope is to attract a broad spectrum of community residents to the cafe, including senior citizens, with the promise of "a warm beverage, while using a computer and listening to live music," said their brochure. OJJ is "brought to you by: the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District, Island Properties, Mrs. Harriet Copel and Mr. Jim Cammaratta and the Business Venture Board of Directors. The directors include: Ari Allen, Erin Brown, Heidi Bucheister, Danielle Fried, Brad Goldberg, George Gowe, Nick Koumoulis, Naomi Levin, Jenn Maa, Mark Mitchell, Cole Poelker, Alex Putterman, Dana Van Pamelen and David Wurtz.

A loud Oyster Bay "Bully" to you all!