Ronkonkoma's Station Yards restaurants: What's coming

Tenants have already started moving into the luxury apartments at Station Yards, the vast multiuse development rising alongside the LIRR tracks in Ronkonkoma. Soon, they’ll be able to grab a drink and a meal without crossing the street.

The newest venue to announce its involvement with the project is  Cornucopia Natural Foods.

 This will be the second location of Cornucopia, which opened in Sayville in 1976 and had a major expansion and upgrade in 2017. At 7,000 square feet, the Ronkonkoma store will be even larger but will carry the same array of organic produce, healthful prepared foods, bread, cheese, pantry items as well as vitamins and supplements. 

The opening is scheduled for early 2025, by which time a few of Station Yards’ previously announced tenants should be open. Of the 20 or so retail spaces, almost half are spoken for by prominent local businesses, including the prepared-meal chain Redefine Meals (which opened in August), Great South Bay Brewery (hoping for September) and Toast Coffeehouse, Lucharitos, The Tap Room, Vespa Italian Kitchen & Bar and Poki Poke, which are all at least a few months away from launching.

Chris Kelly, vice president of marketing for developer Tritec Real Estate, said the team sought out local operators.

“When we started public hearings in 2011,” he recalled, “we realized how many people start their journeys here after they get off the train at Ronkonkoma. That station is the front door of Long Island and we wanted to make it authentically Long Island.”

When it is completely occupied, the 53-acre Station Yards will comprise more than 1,000 apartments but Kelly, who grew up in Ronkonkoma and still lives there, said he expects it to attract visitors from all over central Suffolk.

“People in Ronkonkoma, Holbrook, Nesconset, Centereach, Selden — they’ll go spend the evening in Port Jefferson because there are no true destinations closer to home. We want to create a destination in the middle of the Island.”

Eateries on the Station Yards lineup

 Cornucopia Natural Foods

You'll be able to grab a healthy to-go meal at this second branch of the Sayville original (est. 1971), but the 7,000 square-food store will also sell organic produce, healthful prepared foods, bread, cheese, pantry items as well as vitamins and supplements.

Artemis

Inspired by Jazz Age speak-easies, Artemis will specialize in cocktails and among its amenities will be private liquor cabinets for members.

Toast Coffeehouse

It's a boisterous brunch all day at the breakfast-lunch specialist with additional locations in Port Jefferson, Patchogue, Bay Shore and Long Beach.

Lucharitos

The Greenport-born Mexican wrestler-themed taqueria also operates in Aquebogue, Center Moriches, Mattituck and Melville and, shortly, Mineola. Lucharitos will occupy one of two free-standing buildings at Station Yards.

The Tap Room

Specializing in craft beers on tap, sports streaming, live music and DJs, The Tap Room started in Patchogue in 2011 and has since opened satellites in Bay Shore, Farmingdale, Jericho, Massapequa Park and Rockville Centre.

Great South Bay Brewery

The Bay Shore-based brewery recently opened a massive gastropub in Lindenhurst and, at more than 8,000 square feet, the Station Yards location will match it for size. Look for beer, food and activities for the whole family.

Vespa Italian Kitchen & Bar

Like the Farmingdale original, this stylish trattoria will serve rustic Italian fare — with an emphasis on owner Benedetto LoManto’s native Sicily — and personal pizzas.

Poki Poke

The original Coram location serves poke bowls and boba tea; here, the menu will expand to ramen and beyond.

Redefine Meals

This meal-prep chain currently operates stores in Lake Grove, Bellmore, Commack and Port Jefferson.