Wantagh Chamber welcomes three new merchants

Drop n Lock on Railroad Avenue in Wantagh, owner by Laurie Erb, seventh from left, celebrated its grand opening on Sept. 12 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Chamber of Commerce.

A Yoo-Hoo toast marked the opening of Kidville in Willow Wood Shoppes on Wantagh Avenue.

Andrew Hackmack/Herald

Patrick Benot has brought his computer services business, SwiftLife, to Wantagh.

Andrew Hackmack/Herald

Children enjoy the gym at Kidville.

Andrew Hackmack/Herald

• 
• 
• 
• 

New businesses are continuing to sprout up in Wantagh. The Chamber of Commerce hosted ribbon-cutting ceremonies for a trio of new merchants on Sept. 12.

The first stop of the day was a familiar one for Chamber members, as they cut the ribbon for SwiftLife at 2099 Wantagh Ave. It is located right next to door to a business that celebrated its grand opening last month, South Shore Customs.

SwiftLife is owned by Patrick Benot, of Bellmore. He provides a wide range of computer services including hardware repairs, data recovery, virus removal, programming and more. Benot can even repair that dreaded cracked iPhone screen.

He has been operating his business for several years out of his home, but recently decided to open up a storefront. Through a realtor, he found the location on Wantagh Avenue and opened up shop.

Benot, as a child, required a liver transplant and received a computer as a request through the Make-A-Wish foundation. “He was the first kid that ever asked for a computer,” his mother, Diane, said. “Now, that’s their most popular request.”

He received his liver transplant at 11. Because he was unable to play sports, he developed a love for computers, and a talent for fixing them. Now 28, Benot is healthy and hoping to grow his business, which for now is a one-man operation.

In addition to his mother, his father, Patrick, and niece, Johanna, were on hand for his big moment last week, which included Chamber leaders and several elected officials. Benot said joining the Chamber will give him a chance to network and establish connections in the community.

Laurie Erb is already a known face in Wantagh, owning Mi Casa Laundromat on Oakfield Avenue. She has launched a second venture, Drop N Lock. Located on Railroad Avenue across from the train station, customers can got to her store, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and leave their laundry or dry cleaning in a secure locker.

The items will be picked up and returned within 48 hours. “Most of the time, you’ll have it within 24,” she said.