19 LI companies named to NY's inaugural list of historic businesses

One is a department store that has never left the Hamptons.

One is a multistate food service chain with more than 100 locations.

Another is an auto body shop serving its third generation of customers.

They are among 19 Long Island shops, eateries and a camp named to New York's inaugural list of historic businesses.

The Historic Business Preservation Registry, which includes 100 companies in every corner of the state, was created to honor and promote shops that are at least 50 years old and have made significant contributions to their communities, state officials said in a March 30 news release.

Here are profiles of three companies on the registry.

Lessing's Inc., Great River

Maxwell Lessing opened a lunch counter in 1890 in Manhattan's financial district, where he sold sandwiches and made his own line of soups.

Now Lessing's Hospitality Group, the company employs about 1,500 people and counts 120 locations from the Northeast to Florida, including 14 restaurants, 20 wedding and catering venues and more than 80 corporate and academic dining halls. The company also runs concessions at Bethpage, Montauk Downs and Sunken Meadow state parks.

But it's still run by the Lessing family, including president Michael Lessing, Maxwell's great-great-grandson. At least eight other family members serve as advisers or executive committee members.

“It’s actually a big responsibility to run the business as a fifth-generation member," Michael Lessing, 57, told Newsday. "My job is getting it in a good place for the sixth generation to take over.”

Albert Zolezzi Auto Body, Williston Park

Little has changed since Albert Zolezzi III's grandfather started the auto repair business in 1947.

Zolezzi, a 37-year-old Navy veteran and retired New York City firefighter, said the business adheres to the same principles it has followed for 75 years.

“As far as the historical part, we didn’t really think of it at all," he said. "We live in this town and the adjoining town, East Williston, and it’s just been about helping our neighbors.” 

Zolezzi, who runs the shop with his mother, Nancy, a former East Williston mayor, said the business has six employees and customers whose parents and grandparents also brought their cars there for repairs.

The business is "completely different" from when his grandfather founded it, Zolezzi said, with cars that rely much more on electronics.

"You’re required to adapt,” he said. “We’ve been here so long, we’re not trying to be a conglomerate. We’re just trying to help people out.” 

Hildreth’s Home Goods, Southampton

Founded in 1842, Hildreth's calls itself the oldest department store in the United States — and it's still in its original location.

Originally a grocery, Hildreth's evolved into a home furnishings store catering both to the summer crowd and year-rounders, said Henry Hildreth, 66, great-great-grandson of the store's founder. Hildreth's also has a location in East Hampton.

“We do have struggles with Amazon and the web and things in general, but it’s OK," Hildreth said. "We’re not setting the world on fire, but we’re making ends meet.”

By Carl MacGowan

carl.macgowan@newsday.comCarlMacGowan

Carl MacGowan is a Long Island native who covers Brookhaven Town after having previously covered Smithtown, Suffolk County courts and numerous spot news and feature stories over his 20-plus year career at Newsday.