Representatives of Brown Harris Stevens Commercial Services of Long Island addressed members of the Oyster Bay Chamber of Commerce at their Sept. 18 meeting at the Homestead restaurant. They are the real estate brokers that were hired by the Joint Marketing Committee of Oyster Bay, to find businesses that will populate the local retail and office space to create a revitalized hamlet. Donna Geraghty, associate broker was the main speaker. She comes to Oyster Bay after working for the past 10 years on the revitalization of Greenport, on the North Fork of Long Island.

Ms. Geraghty explained how Brown Harris Stevens was hired by the Joint Marketing Committee that consists of members of the Main Street Association, the Oyster Bay Civic Association, the Chamber of Commerce and Island Properties. She said she visited Oyster Bay during the winter. "I drove through and thought: this looks like Greenport on the North Fork. It's a small town where everyone knows everyone. "

She had a business in Greenport for 25 years and worked in the revitalization of the town. She said, " Greenport is a small quaint town, it took 10 years to get their revitalization program running." While Oyster Bay has its Oyster Festival, she said Greenport has held a maritime festival that attracts 20,000 people over a three-day period. She is looking forward to experiencing the Oyster Festival. "This is the North Fork, just closer to New York City. You have something wonderful here. Don't lose sight of it."

Ms. Geraghty said she has been listening to local concerns and said they are the same as she heard in Greenport. "People are afraid of change." In Greenport they improved the street lighting, curbing and streets. The traffic increased, the local businesses are now thriving. "They do have to work harder," she added.

Ms. Geraghty said she visited the town during the winter and observed the local business. She said many stores keep inconsistent hours. "Instead of hiring someone to cover for them, when a merchant has to leave the store, they put a sign in the window saying they will be back in an hour. They are closed one day and open another. I think things will evolve, things will get better. I'm here to share ideas," she said. They are located at 185 South Street, between Not Just Art and the Pet store. Their phone number is 624-4908.

"If there is a store you think will do well here, tell us. We want to fill the vacancies first with the people that are here, and then go outside to bring people in to town. We don't have any say in what kinds of business come in. We report monthly to the Joint Marketing Committee and they say, 'yes' or 'no.' We tried to bring in a few people that they've said no to," she added.

David Sargoy, director commercial real estate division/associate broker with Brown Harris Stevens Commercial Services of LI gave an overview of the company. He said they have offices in Roslyn, Hauppauge and now Oyster Bay. The company was founded in 1873, and has a long history including ownership by Harry Helmsley and his wife Leona. In 1995, the firm was purchased in an all-cash deal by Arthur W. Zeckendorf and William Lie Zeckendorf, David A. Buris, Kent M. Swig and Allied Partners. The four co-chairmen have essentially rebuilt the venerable company from the ground up. They handle residential and commercial real estate. Rubinstein is their publicity firm. Mr. Sargoy said John Brusca, a graduate of Oyster Bay High School is a member of the firm.

"We believe very much in the redevelopment of the hamlet," said Mr. Sargoy. He added that Mr. Zeckendorf is on the Long Island University board of trustees, adding, "I may be teaching courses there."

Ms. Geraghty said they have 22 properties for rent in the hamlet and one for sale. They are currently working on a lease deal for 350 Lexington Avenue (the former location of Oyster Bay Dodge). The lease has not been signed as yet. It is a local person with an existing business, she said. In the same area, the Busy Bee gas station is out of business and is up for leasing.

Giving her credits, she said she has developed raw acreage and done subdivisions. She has sold land to be used for a park resulting in a seven-year tax return benefit, and hinted that it would be nice for the entrance of the town, where she can envision a gazebo.

She said Island Properties is fixing up old houses and mentioned the Pink House, on South Street as an example.

"We are bringing in a Plainview firm that does seminars for doctors. That is a good thing. It will be located at the beginning of town." She said they are talking to a CPA firm that wants to come here, who told her, "We don't want to be in the city anymore."

She said most of the spaces in town are small. "The largest we have here is about 3,500 sq. ft. and an Ann Taylor Loft needs 6,000 square feet. That's why we need boutique type stores here, to keep the quaintness and character of the hamlet. There is a great synergy here, if I can get it going," she said.

Ms. Geraghty said, "Island Properties is working hard. Everything I've heard them say publicly, they are saying privately. I'm not here to endorse IP. We work with the whole group of landlords." She said they are talking to several landlords and reviewing their leases.

Ms. Geraghty turned to a large map of the hamlet and said the blue dots on the map were food businesses, in which she included Verrelli's Market on West Main Street. She said she sees the former Commander Oil garage at 4 South Street, presently the office of IP, as prime for leasing. "We are thinking of a fish market and fish restaurant that can sell (and serve) oysters, clams and crabs."

She sees the hamlet perfect for being marketed as "the un-Hamptons." All it needs is to have Bed & Breakfast establishments so that people can be encouraged to come by train and enjoy Oyster Bay, and not have to make the long trip to the Hamptons. IP has three houses that are currently used as boarding houses that she said would make perfect B&Bs. They are in walking distance of the water and the railroad, she said.

She sees Hamilton Avenue as eventually being cleaned up/revitalized. "In Greenport we had a dark area, that no one wanted to go into. Artists from the city bought the houses for $100,000 and now with added charm and character they are selling on the market for $400,000 in just three years. Hamilton Avenue has that kind of potential," she said. "It's going to happen."

Ms. Geraghty said the proposal for the Uwe's property has been downsized. It was originally being considered to become 14,000 sq. ft. property. Now they are planning on 8,000 sq. ft. They will clean up the town parking lot there. It will be used either for apartments or a small inn for tourists.

She said they would like to see Audrey Avenue with all retail stores on the street level. "My dream is that it will have nothing but retail - 'boutique-ee' stores with clothing, shoes and furniture. We have a list of suggestions," she said. As Audrey Avenue continues toward the railroad station, she sees "A beautiful entrance to the park. You have assets; play up your assets."

She sees East Main Street as an extension of Audrey Avenue and said it needs music shops where students could buy instruments and records and CDs. She envisions South Street as a perfect location for home furnishings and appliances and said she would like to move some people to different locations, where they can get the most business.

As she imagined what would be great where, she said that the Hallock location on Pine Hollow Road might make a great antiques spot, for several stores or as an antiques mall. "It has the parking, even if it is used only on the weekends," she said.

Ms. Geraghty said, "Competition keeps everyone on their toes. A customer visits other stores and comes back to your shop. People want to have choices."

As far as the Commander Oil depot, she said the IP contract calls for the business to continue for a period of time, but added that the office is available to lease. It is 4,500 sq. ft. and would have a three-year lease. She said the best plan is to build up the rest of the town first, to its best use, and then they can get the highest dollars for Commander Oil property on the eastern waterfront.