Let’s be honest: the high cost of opening and maintaining a store in Great Neck makes it challenging for businesses to thrive long-term. Many stores come and go quickly, as the area can be extremely competitive.
Even popular and well-known brands can struggle to maintain a foothold. Great Neck has seen a constantly shifting array of stores, leaving residents with a sense of uncertainty about which businesses will stick around.
For example, the Nuts Factory, a store specializing in a variety of nuts and dried fruits, opened and shut its doors within a year of launching. Most recently, The Croffle House on Middle Neck Road is closing down. Additionally, 16 Handles, a popular frozen yogurt chain, closed its Great Neck location a few years ago.
Recently, several new shops have either opened or announced plans to come to Great Neck, including Pop Up Bagels, Rita’s Italian Ice, Sobol, Very Juice, and Hey Yogurt, sparking hope for new business owners wishing to ingrain themselves in the tight-knit community.
Dubbed the “Not Famous, but Known” bagel shop, Pop Up Bagels has garnered a dedicated following. With multiple locations across Connecticut and New York, their arrival in Great Neck is set to delight bagel enthusiasts. Though Bagel Hut will remain a fan favorite, Pop Up Bagels offers a unique bagel experience.
Their menu rotates weekly, with unique cream cheese and butter flavors, like Spinach and Artichoke Cream Cheese or Almond Toffee Butter. They also have schmears that are always available, such as their scallion and plain cream cheese. They are known for their freshly baked bagels and awesome flavors, and many are awaiting their grand opening in Great Neck.
Up next, Rita’s has recently set up a shop in Great Neck next to EverFresh on Middle Neck Road. This Italian ice shop does not offer seating, but it’s super easy to order from their window. Rita’s is known for their Italian ice, with fun flavors such as Swedish Fish, cotton candy, and mango.
They also sell frozen custard, and gelati, which is italian ice and custard together. Some students at North High have even begun working at the new ice cream shop.
Acai bowls have become a popular food trend in recent years, and our next shop, Sobol, has become a chain for the delicious specialty that has opened up in multiple locations. Great Neck does not yet have a store that specializes in acai bowls like Sobol or Playa Bowls, so this will be a great addition to the town.
As of now, some of the only places to buy an acai bowl in Great Neck are Crawfords and Avocado Oh, which do not specialize in making these bowls. There is a successful location in Manhasset, and their expansion to Great Neck is eagerly anticipated by those who frequent that location.
“I’m very excited about [Sobol] opening because I like their food at their other locations,” said freshman Alex Hyman.
Although stores in Great Neck often struggle to stay open, a store like Sobol opening up is promising.
Known for its fresh, healthy and Kosher offerings, Very Juice has just opened on Middle Neck Road. The store specializes in freshly pressed juices, smoothies, and acai bowls. They also have salads, avocado toast, sandwiches, and pastries. They focus on using high-quality, natural ingredients, offering a range of options that cater to different dietary preferences, including vegan and gluten-free.
“I personally have several allergies myself, but when go [to Very Juice], I know that I can always find something for me to eat that’s safe, ” said senior Jade Nabavian. “Everything I’ve eaten at this place is fresh and tastes so natural. I truly enjoy going here every weekend with friends.”
Finally, Hey Yougurt has quickly become a go-to spot, offering a variety of yogurt-based treats. The newcomer store specializes in drinkable yogurt beverages made with fresh fruit, providing a healthy and refreshing option.
“I really like Hey Yogurt,” said senior Isaac Yan. “My favorite is the Oreo flavor.”
With these new openings, the community has a chance to try fresh concepts and flavors. Whether it’s grabbing a quick bagel, indulging in a croffle, or enjoying an acai bowl, residents have plenty of reasons to explore Middle Neck Road’s ever-changing storefronts. Things are always changing, so keep an eye out when you are driving down Middle Neck!
