Chamber of Commerce hosts ribbon cuttings for new businesses

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Three recently launched West Hempstead businesses celebrated their official welcome to the town from the West Hempstead Chamber of Commerce last week.

Sam’s Caribbean Market, KW Kitchens and Hats Off Peruvian Restaurant, all on Hempstead Turnpike, were honored by the Chamber, which held ribbon cuttings for each business on May 19.

At the event, Chamber members, residents and local officials, including State Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square), were on hand to support new business owners and their establishments. Nassau County Legislator Vincent Muscarella and Town of Hempstead Clerk Mark Bonilla were also in attendance.

The day kicked off with food samples and festive music at 11:00 a.m. at Sam’s Caribbean Market — which is now at 225 Hempstead Turnpike after having been previously based in Hempstead. Owner Andrew Morris, along with Chamber member Steve Santoro, Ra and Bonilla, all spoke on behalf of the newly relocated business.

“The Chamber of Commerce would like to recognize this event as a representation of a resurgence of Hempstead Turnpike and the West Hempstead business community in general,” Santoro said.

“Since its inception in 1993,” Santoro added, “Sam’s . . . has provided a wide variety of Caribbean food to people all over the Long Island region. I am confident that the new store in West Hempstead will continue to produce much success.”

Ra also offered words of encouragement for the new businesses. “ … We are celebrating … we are turning a corner in this economy,” he said.

Morris also received a citation from Nassau County Office of Housing and Intergovernmental Affairs Director Raymond Thomas on behalf of Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano.

“This is a true testament of survivorship of businesses in a tough economy,” Thomas said. “You have increased the amount of employees that you have here, you have increased our tax base, all things that we love here in Nassau County.”

Morris said he chose to relocate from his original Hempstead location due to a need for more space. “We worked hard for this and we are going to continue working hard,” he said. “West Hempstead has embraced us.”

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