Kitchen and Bath Store Takes Over Former Sex Shop

The former Pleasure Dome adult video and toy shop in St. James is about to get a new, and far less risqué, beginning.

A former five-year Home Depot store manager and five-year store manager of Smithtown’s Stone Edge Marble & Granite, Serhat Soykan, is now renovating the space at 791 Middle Country Road with plans to open Allstate Marble & Granite, Kitchens & Baths by the new year.

The former sex shop had been empty for more than a year.

Soykan acknowledged the long name of his business, but said it represents what will be available to the customer when they walk in the door.

“There’s competition around here but there’s nothing like I want over here, this will be the first one the way I want to get it done,” he said. “This is a one-stop shop. You could buy tiles, granite, cabinets, bath amenities, the whole nine yards. Anything in the kitchens and baths you can buy it from me."

Perhaps his biggest competition comes from big-box home supply center Lowe's, which operates nearby in Lake Grove. But local competition includes and in Nesconset.

Soykan said his shop will have one kitchen designer and one bathroom designer on staff, as well as a staff that will perform installations, demolition, plumbing, and other kitchen and bathroom services. The cabinets, according to Soykan, will be all American products and will cater to all income levels, from those looking for builder’s grade cabinets to high-end cabinets.

Keeping all things kitchens and baths under one roof led Soykan to build the stores interior with a unique design.

“I want it to look like a maze but it doesn’t close you in, once you look you should be able to see everything … when you look from different areas you can see multiple things, it’s not just one kitchen,” he said.

Another service Allstate will offer is financing for 18 months up to $45,000, available only to homeowners.

A Miller Place resident, Soykan said the area's reputation led him to this new location.

“It’s a good spot, it’s a beautiful exposure … Smithtown, St. James area is a reputable area, that’s why I would love to be in here,” he said.

Soykan expects open Jan. 1, 2012, and said construction of the store should be done in two weeks. Tentative business hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Monday to Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.