Business

Readers tell us 5 stores they’d like to see come to Riverhead

Riverhead is no stranger to new businesses, and more are on the way.

A Costco Wholesale Club is being planned and a super-sized Walmart is in the works along Route 58. Buffalo Wild Wings, Christmas Tree Shops, Dick’s Sporting Goods and more are also slated for the town’s ever-busy thoroughfare.

That’s welcome news to some, but many locals would like to see other stores choose Riverhead. We asked our Facebook fans to let us know what they most wanted to see built here and tallied the responses. Two grocery stores, a department store and two restaurants with no current Long Island locations each landed a spot in the top five. Readers also said they’re especially eager for a multiplex movie theater.

Here are the companies our respondents said they would most like to see come to Riverhead:

JENNIFER GUSTAVSON PHOTO

1. Trader Joe’s

Founded: 1958

Headquarters: Monrovia, Calif.

U.S. locations: 398 Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk) locations: 7

About: A specialty grocery store that promises “unconventional and interesting products,” according to the company’s website. Trader Joe’s was originally established as a small chain of convenience stores in Pasadena, Calif.

PENNY PARPAN PHOTO

2. Cracker Barrel

Founded: 1969

Headquarters: Lebanon, Tenn.

U.S. locations: Over 600 Long Island locations: 0

About: Cracker Barrel is a nationwide chain of restaurants and gift stores with a menu based on traditional Southern cuisine.

MICHAEL WHITE PHOTO

3. Kohl’s

Founded: 1962

Headquarters: Menominee Falls, Wisc.

U.S. locations: 1,146 (as of February 2013) Long Island locations: 14

About: An American department store chain, Kohl’s sells clothing, jewelry, shoes, toys and home goods. What you said: Simply, “Kohls!” — although there are branches not too far away in Shirley and Rocky Point.

CYNDI MURRAY PHOTO

4. Golden Corral

Founded: 1973 Headquarters: Raleigh, N.C.

U.S. locations: 498 Long Island locations: 0

About: Golden Corral is a family-style restaurant chain with locations across the country, predominantly in the Southeast. It serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and has a large grill and buffet.

CYNDI MURRAY PHOTO

5. Whole Foods

Founded: 1980 Headquarters: Austin, Texas

U.S. locations: 331 (as of July 2012) Long Island locations: 3

About: A grocery store chain that bills itself as “America’s healthiest grocery store,” Whole Foods is a purveyor of natural and organic products.

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