Deli Owner Challenges Westhampton Beach Village's Decision To Run Beach Concession Stand

The owner of a Westhampton Beach deli is questioning the village’s decision to operate the food concession stand at Rogers Beach this summer rather than lease the space to outside vendors, as has been tradition.

At a Village Board meeting last Thursday night, April 7, Joseph Grady, the owner of the Hurricane Deli on Montauk Highway, who has operated the concession stand in the past between Memorial Day and Labor Day, stated that the board was overestimating the amount of money it would clear by roughly $60,000, while also noting that there is not enough space or equipment at the beach pavilion to make or store food on site.

“I don’t understand why the village would get involved in the food service business when you don’t have enough of an outlet to use what you make,” Mr. Grady said referring to how he, or any other business owner who would have won the bid to lease the concession space, could always sell their prepared foods at their respective establishments if there’s a stretch of bad weather this summer. “There are a lot of variables that you are not understanding,” he added.

According to Village Board member Charles Palmer, the village expects to take in $160,000 by running the concession stand this year—a figure that he described as “conservative.” But the anticipated revenue does not account for the fact that the village must purchase equipment to run the stand, pay a chef and absorb other one-time expenses.

As part of next year’s $10.1 million budget, which was adopted at the same meeting last week, the village has set aside approximately $8,000 to buy a new refrigerator and fryer for the concession stand.

The village has also hired Michael Harpaul, the chef at the Westhampton Beach Middle School, to run the stand this summer. He will make $24 an hour, the same as the village’s beach managers and head lifeguard, according to Westhampton Beach Mayor Maria Moore. His total salary will be capped at $13,056, and he will not get benefits.

Traditionally, the village has always solicited sealed bids from local delis and restaurants, awarding the contract to the highest bidder. In the past, the winning bids have ranged from $9,000 to $14,000, according to the mayor.

Ms. Moore said she first suggested that the village take over the concession stand several months ago, explaining that she now has the support of her fellow board members. The village, she continued, should be able to make substantially more money if it takes over the operation instead of collecting rent.

She noted that the plan is to invest in new equipment this year, meaning that the village should see greater profits in subsequent years once those initial start-up costs are absorbed.

As far as food options go, Ms. Moore said the menu would include staples like chicken fingers and French fries, while also offering some more high-end fare, like lobster rolls. The concession will be open whenever the beach is open, meaning on weekends only from Memorial Day until June 25, and seven days a week after that through Labor Day.

But Mr. Grady, who has won the bid to run the stand in the past, insisted that the village does not have the proper facilities in place to take over its operation. He also noted that vendors typically prepare foods, such as salads and side dishes, in their own commercial kitchens and then deliver the items to the stand every morning. Mr. Grady also pointed out that the stand currently lacks refrigeration units, which is why vendors traditionally store perishables in their own commercial facilities.

He also stressed that he thinks the projected $160,000 figure is overinflated, noting that, most summers, his company was able to clear about $90,000.

The exchange continued to escalate when Mr. Grady told board members that they lack the experience to run a successful concession stand. He then added that he had tried to schedule a meeting with Village Board member Brian Tymann prior to last week’s vote, but that never happened.

Mr. Tymann reminded Mr. Grady that his door is always open and that the business owner never bothered to schedule one with him.

“When was the last time you called me?” Mr. Tymann asked when Mr. Grady pointed out that he wanted to meet with him. “Did you call me to set something up? I am here anytime you want. I am not chasing you down. I sit with many people in this audience when they want to sit down with me—get in touch with me sometime sooner.”

As for the mayor, she said that this summer’s menu will be simple, while adding that the village is more than capable of running the stand.

“I think you’ll be surprised by the outcome,” Ms. Moore said while addressing Mr. Grady. “We are looking forward to it and it will be well done.”