Raindew Express opens on Rockaway Avenue in Valley Stream

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When longtime patrons of Morris Variety go to shop at the Raindew Express store that replaced it on Rockaway Avenue, they may be surprised to see some familiar faces.

“We kept all of the [full-time] employees that were here,” Co-owner Rich Montalbano said, “because they’re very engrained in the community and the people around here love them.”

Montalbano purchased the store with four of his partners: His father John Mazoujian, his brother James Montalbano, his cousin Gary Chagachbanian and their associate Kevin Bordeman in September. Mazoujian founded the first Raindew Family Centers in Bayside, Queens in 1968 and then opened up stores in Flushing, Queens, Floral Park, Manhasset and, now, Valley Stream. Rich Montalbano worked as a stock boy when he was younger and eventually became a partner in 1992.

The group officially took over the store on Sept. 21 after previous owner Jack Cazes decided to retire. Cazes had been the owner of Morris’s since 1997. Raindew Express opened its doors on Nov. 25.

“It was a heartbreak for all of us,” said head cashier Mary Dortz in between helping customers at the new store. “But I got through it and transitioned and it’s a beautiful store.”

Dortz was one of four full-time employees retained by the new ownership team, along with store manager Robin Cabral and fellow employees Freddy Brenes and Nony Roncal. While the store was closed for renovations, they worked in the Manhasset shop to learn the new computer and scanning systems. Under previous management, everything was done manually. “It’s been an adjustment,” Dortz said.

The store was closed for more than two months while everything was gutted and new walls and ceilings were installed to help modernize the building. The shelves were then stocked with an updated merchandise mix that includes toys, housewares and holiday décor. New employees were also hired to round out the staff.

According to Dortz, many of the regular shoppers have been thrilled to return, but a lot of them have yet to venture back into the new store now that it’s reopened.

“It’s very important that they all come back,” Dortz said. “I don’t think they all know that we’re open. They’re coming in, but not as quickly as I would like, but we’ll get there.”

With the holiday season in full swing, Montalbano said it’s the most important time of the year for his business.

“We are heavily dependent upon the loyalty of our customer base,” Montalbano said. “That’s what we’re hoping to build here.”

The Valley Stream location is the only store in the chain to carry the Raindew Express name and the only one that doesn’t have a pharmacy.

Some loyal Morris customers have continued to patronize the store under new ownership, including Jean Anne Blanc, a Valley Stream resident.

“I felt really bad because you don’t find a store like that everywhere,” Blanc said about Morris’s closing. “It was a little bit of Americana. But I still enjoy coming in here, too. It’s one of my favorite places.”