Business

Love Lane Market in Mattituck celebrates its grand opening

SAMANTHA BRIX PHOTO | Mike Avella, co-owner of Love Lane Market in Mattituck, prepares for the market's grand opening on Saturday.

Two months after Love Lane Market quietly opened its doors, the new specialty food market is hosting its official grand opening this weekend.

Owners Mike and Patti Avella opened the market in early August in the former Village Market location, next door to their Love Lane Kitchen.

A ribbon cutting was held in front of the store Saturday, with Mattituck Chamber of Commerce president Donielle Cardinale and Suffolk County Legislator Ed Romaine both present.

With the market’s general manager, Siran Libretto, the Avellas have planned tastings and demonstrations for the official market debut. Ms. Libretto has been scouring suppliers’ offerings all summer looking for food free of chemicals, nitrates and high fructose corn syrup.

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“Our vision is bringing food back to the way it was 100 years ago,” she said as she greeted customers last Friday afternoon. “People go into a supermarket trusting that the food they buy will be healthy for them. There’s no guarantee of that. But here people can trust that we’ve done the hard work. I can truly stand behind that.”

Beginning Sunday, the market’s suppliers will be giving out samples and discussing their wares. The list includes Steve’s Ice Cream, Sweet Andy’s Cookies, Urbani Truffles and Pure Cool sparkling water. Representatives from Parma Cotta will give a talk on prosciutto and Love Lane Market will offer pizza- and pasta-making demonstrations. Chef Keith Luce of Luce + Hawkins Restaurant will offer samples of his own Peconic Bay sea salt, local honey, duck sauces and elixirs.

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