Ice For Sale, at a Discount, at Port Jefferson Beverage

Business is spotty at Port Jefferson Beverage Center, according to manager Frank Stountenberg but what there is of it is all about ice.

“People are mostly going to the stores that you can see are clearly open,” said Stountenberg, standing in his darkened store still without power.

Port Jefferson Beverage Center has no lights, no generator and the ice is melting fast but it’s moving out the door at a discount.

“We’re selling bags at a 20 percent discount,” he said.

After a truck rolled by dropping off a fresh delivery of ice, Stountenberg said that will be it until they can drive out to Riverhead to get some more, which he says they will do. He’s also still selling beer and soda to those who want it.

Customers continued to come in and leave with bags of ice.

One customer asked if Stountenberg had any bags and then said he’d take one.

“I don’t want to be greedy,” he said.

The store hasn't had electric since Hurricane Sandy but Stountenberg has stayed open. He doesn’t know how long he can go without power.

“We’re playing it by ear,” he said.