Modern Lindenhurst Cocktail Bar Opens, Thanks To PSEG Grant

LINDENHURST, NY — A new Lindenhurst business opened its doors on Monday, thanks to a grant from PSEG Long Island.

Hunter & Thief, a "modern" cocktail bar located at 21 West Hoffman Avenue, held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, after qualifying for an $18,750 PSEG Long Island Main Street Revitalization grant.

Located in the "heart" of Lindenhurst's downtown business district, proprietors Gabrielle and Jonathan Gonzalez, opened nearly four years of pandemic-related setbacks, a release said.

This is the fifth year the grant has been awarded to small and medium-sized businesses with grants and bill credits to support their success.

“It is with immense gratitude that we stand here today to finally open our doors,” said Jonathan Gonzalez, award-winning mixologist and co-owner of Hunter & Thief. “We thank those who have supported us since our dream was just a vision – the Lindenhurst community and PSEG Long Island, to name two. Over the course of the last four years, we have endured every possible setback that a small business could face, including, but certainly not limited to, a global pandemic. That’s why it means that much more for us today to finally be at the finish line.”

Hunter & Thief also qualified for another PSEG Long Island small business incentive because they renovated a building that had been vacant for more than a year.

PSEG Long Island’s Vacant Space Revival program provides up to $10,000 in electric bill discounts for a new business’ first year, which is often financially difficult. Since 2018, nearly $212,000 has been provided to more than 100 new businesses under this program.

The grants are available for businesses that complete projects to help improve the economic stability and growth of a municipality. Since 2018, the grants have supported renovation projects for nearly 50 local businesses, with more than a million dollars given out, a release said. These new businesses have also created more than 900 jobs, further enhancing the local economy.

Also in attendance were the owners of the Argyle Theatre in Babylon, recipient of PSEG Long Island’s very first Main Street Revitalization grant.

Along with rebates and bill credits, the theater saved nearly $100,000.

Government officials, representatives from local business improvement groups, chambers of commerce and community leaders were also present at the grand opening.

“This opening is a testament to this couple’s fortitude, patience and perseverance. We are proud to stand beside them today as they realize their dream of business ownership," said David Lyons, interim president and COO of PSEG Long Island. "As we kick off Small Business Week today, we encourage the public to support our entrepreneurial neighbors.”