Plans have been submitted to the Town of Riverhead to build a supermarket at 133-139 Railroad Ave., which was once home to the Loose Caboose Pub and Danny’s Den. The pub had its liquor license revoked in 2019 after several violent incidents that left people seriously injured.

What Are the Details of the Project?

After the pub was shut down in 2019, the property was bought by 139 R.R. Plaza Inc. in August 2019. The building also houses a barber shop and a taxi dispatcher. The site plans submitted to the Town of Riverhead detail improvements to the façade of the building, as well as a change of use (from pub to retail), as well as improvements to lighting, drainage, and the parking lot. 

This particular building is slightly more complicated than others as it resides in the Riverhead Historic District as well as the Railroad Avenue Urban Renewal Area, both of which require approval from the Town Board rather than the Planning Board. The project is considered a Type I action, which requires a 30-day coordinated review of multiple agencies: town, state, and county. 

How Is This Project Useful?

Overall, town officials and residents are very much in favor of the facelift, as the former pub caused many disturbances and violent events during its tenure, even going back to 1996, when an unsolved murder occurred on the property. According to developers, the grocery store is intended to be a small shop, where residents are able to pick up necessities and do light shopping, so it will be a convenience for residents.

As of March 2021, the Town Board has been granted Lead Agency in the site plan review process, so there is no word yet as to when construction can begin.

For more information on this and other projects, visit our website.