"We want the family legacy to continue in this space." Ben & Jerry's will be located at the longtime former Sunny's Diner site in Riverhead.

Lisa Finn, Patch Staff

RIVERHEAD, NY — It's sweet news for Riverhead: A longtime iconic destination is set for its next chapter, as Ben & Jerry's is set to open at the longtime site of Sunny's Riverhead Diner & Grill.

Steven Siliato, a lawyer, told Patch that opening the shop seemed like a natural next step on his family's journey. "I grew up in a family business — we own a liquor store," he said. "It has been in our family for 50 years, and it was started by my dad. My wife and I wanted our kids to grow up in a family business, too, for many reasons. Plus, who does not love ice cream?" he laughed.

His wife Angela Siliato is actually the owner of the new business and the couple, who lives in Wading River, said their kids Gianni, Mia and Marco "are just as much of a part of this as we are."

For years, the former diner's location at 87 E. Main Street was woven into hearts and memories; the downtown mainstay had been located in Riverhead since 1932, and closed due to the pandemic.

Next, the spot was occupied by LuchaCubano and then, Burgercade.

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The spot holds deep meaning for the Siliatos. "The history of this location is amazing. While we are bringing a different concept, it is our understating that the dinner was a family run business for a very long time — so it's just a natural fit for our family. We want the family legacy to continue in this space. We live in the community, so this spot was very important to us."

Siliato told Patch that the love of Ben & Jerry's is a family affair, with all having their own favorite flavors. "My favorite is Dirt Cake, but it just got retired. So it is either Milk & Cookies or Marshmallow Sky for me. My wife loves Half Baked and my kids love Milk & Cookies and Phish Food."

Ben & Jerry's founders and childhood friends Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield grew up in Merrick, on Long Island, Siliato said. "They really tried to create a fun, family friendly company. For us, everything comes back to family. That is the most important part of our life."

Siliato reflected on the couple's dreams for the new business: "It's for our kids, so they can learn about hard work, dedication, determination, reaching for their goals and being part of the community. That is very important — we want to be part of our community's transformation."

The goal is to open by June, Siliato said. Ben & Jerry's is expected to open every day at noon, with closing time to be determined by demand and later hours on weekends.

Opening in Riverhead was important to his family, Siliato said: "We live here and it is our community. We want to be a small part of the transformation."

For his future customers, Siliato has a message: "While we have a corporate name behind us, we are a family-owned and run business. We live in the community, and we want to be a part of making people smile with ice cream!"

Flanders – Friends of The Big Duck, a non-profit organization, celebrates the arrival of spring with the 12^th Annual Easter Duck Egg Hunt at Big Duck Ranch, 1012 Flanders Road (Route 24), Flanders. The free event (but bring your own basket) will be held this year on Saturday, April 19, noon sharp, so families should arrive by 11:45 AM. The rain date is Sunday, April 26.

The grass field behind The Big Duck will be dotted with filled plastic “duck eggs” that children two- to nine-years-old can easily find. To make it a safe event, the children are grouped into three separate age groups. A prize basket is awarded to “The Good Egg” in each group who discovers the special egg. The family fun will include games and a visit from the Easter Bunny.

Friends of The Big Duck is the Southampton-Town-appointed steward of Big Duck Ranch, where the beloved icon sits. The organization manages the Long Island Duck Farming Exhibit in the Victorian Barn (open to the public that day from 11 AM – 3 PM) and services the public bathrooms.

The Big Duck, open daily from 10 AM – 5 PM, is on the national register of historic places. It was built in 1931 on West Main Street, Riverhead. A roadside sign, funded by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, marks the original location. It was moved to its current location in 1936, moved to Sears-Bellows County Park in 1987 and returned to the heart of Flanders in 2007.

Both admission and parking for the event are free. Cars should enter at Otter Hole Neck Road, just east of The Big Duck and park in the back of the field. For more information, call 631-284-3737, e-mail [email protected]or visit the Friends of The Big Duck Facebook page.

RIVERHEAD, NY — A former Riverhead attorney pleaded guilty Wednesday to stealing from clients involved in a real estate transaction, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said.

Peter A. Saad, Jr., 48, of Calverton, pleaded guilty to fourth-degree grand larceny after stealing $25,000 from an escrow account that was intended for two parties engaged in the transaction.

According to court documents and the defendant’s admissions during his guilty plea allocution, in 2020, Saad was hired to represent a client in the sale of his home. At that time, Saad was the principal attorney at the Law Offices of Peter A. Saad, Jr., P.C., based in Riverhead, the DA said.

During the real estate transaction, it was discovered that the home had permit issues that needed to be resolved, and which required that money be left in escrow after the closing held on September 3, 2020, Tierney said. All parties to the sale agreed to keep $25,000 in Saad’s escrow account until the outstanding permit issues were resolved, the DA said.

After the closing, Saad stopped responding to the parties, failed to return the $25,000 in escrow

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funds, and instead spent the money on his own personal expenses, Tierney said. Subsequently, it was determined that $5,000 was due to the purchasers of the home and the remaining $20,000 was due to the seller of the home, who was Saad’s client, Tierney said.

Saad was disbarred from practicing law in New York, effective January 31, 2024, the DA said.

On April 16, Saad pleaded guilty to fourth-degree grand larceny, a Class E felony, before Acting Supreme Court Justice Steven Pilewski, the DA said. He was placed on probation and ordered to pay restitution and to complete 210 hours of community service, Tierney said.

Saad is being represented by Christopher Gioe, who did not immediately return a request for comment.

"When an attorney violates the sacred trust placed in them by their clients, they undermine the very foundation of our legal system," said Tierney. "The disbarment and guilty plea here demonstrate that no one is above the law, especially those who are entrusted to uphold it."

When 4/20 rolls around in Riverhead, NY, there’s no better way to honor the holiday than by enjoying the best Weed products available in the state. And if you’re serious about celebrating right—responsibly, legally, and with top-tier quality—then Silly Nice is your go-to brand for an unforgettable experience.

Silly Nice is a Black and Veteran-Owned brand that has built a loyal following across New York for its handmade, lab-tested, and insanely potent Weed products. From traditional concentrates to infused flower and portable vapes, each item in the Silly Nice catalog is crafted with precision, transparency, and love for the plant.

So whether you’re a local Riverhead resident or visiting for the weekend, here’s how to elevate your 4/20 festivities with Silly Nice—plus a detailed guide to every product they make and how to get your hands on them.

Silly Nice Diamond Powder is a connoisseur’s concentrate, boasting 87.53% THC. This isn’t your average extract—it’s pure THC in crystalline form, delivering a clean, powerful high that’s ideal for dabbing, sprinkling into joints, or crafting custom edibles and topicals.

With such a high potency, a little goes a long way. You’ll experience a crystal-clear euphoria and smooth intensity that defines the high-end concentrate experience. It’s also fully lab-tested for purity and safety, so you know exactly what you’re consuming.

At 52.70% THC, the Silly Nice Frosted Hash Ball is an artisan’s dream. This 1-gram ball of pure, full-spectrum hash offers deep flavor, rich terpene content, and a body-melting high perfect for relaxed sessions. It’s made using time-honored hash-making techniques and is ideal for bowls, joints, or mixing into your favorite flower.

This isn’t something you rush—it’s meant to be savored, appreciated, and shared among those who respect the finer things in cannabis culture.

There’s infused flower, and then there’s Silly Nice infused flower. Their Diamond-Frosted & Live Resin Infused 3.5g Flower features Papaya Wine buds coated with rich live resin and finished with pure THC diamonds—totaling a staggering 47.75% THC.

The result is a slow-burning, terpene-packed experience that blends the natural fruity sweetness of Papaya Wine with a smooth, full-bodied potency that even seasoned smokers will feel. It’s designed to impress and crafted to satisfy.

The Runtz 1G 510 Vape Cartridge delivers 81.96% THC alongside authentic strain flavor, thanks to 100% cannabis-derived terpenes. This cart offers sweet, fruity notes that are true to the Runtz lineage, backed by hybrid effects that balance chill and creativity.

With no additives and full-spectrum flavor, this vape is built for on-the-go sessions that don’t sacrifice quality. It’s compatible with standard 510-thread batteries, making it a reliable choice for daily smokers.

For those evening sessions where you want to unwind and ease into deep relaxation, Silly Nice’s Northern Lights 1G 510 Vape Cartridge is the move. With 84.66% THC, this indica-dominant cart offers earthy-sweet flavors and a chill, full-bodied high that lingers.

It’s the kind of vape you reach for when the day is done and you’re ready to disconnect. Like all Silly Nice products, it’s lab-tested and powered by 100% cannabis-derived terpenes for maximum authenticity.

Need an energetic high with full flavor? The 2G All-In-One Rechargeable Vape in Tangerine Cookies delivers just that. At 81.24% THC, this sativa-leaning vape is bursting with bright citrus notes and sweet undertones, perfect for daytime use or creative pursuits.

Its sleek, rechargeable design makes it a no-fuss companion for 4/20 adventures—just grab, hit, and elevate. And with two full grams of premium cannabis oil, it’ll keep the good times rolling well past the holiday.

For a playful and euphoric vibe, the Pink Starburst 2G All-In-One Vape is your answer. Delivering 82.46% THC, this vape pen mirrors the nostalgic sweetness of its namesake with a high that’s equally uplifting and grounding.

The rechargeable unit ensures long-lasting functionality, and the natural terpenes provide an experience that’s clean, smooth, and deeply satisfying.

For those who love their hash pure and potent, Silly Nice 1G Bubble Hash is a must-try. With 52.10% THC and 61.93% total cannabinoids, this solventless extract is made using an ice-water technique that retains all the best flavors, aromas, and compounds.

It’s perfect for dabbing, mixing into flower, or enjoying on its own. The terpene profile is strong, the high is balanced, and the versatility makes it a favorite among cannabis purists.

Silly Nice isn’t your average brand. It’s made by real people—Black, Veteran, and proudly New York-based—who believe in transparency, craftsmanship, and community. Every product is lab-tested, crafted with care, and built to help you feel really nice.

They didn’t buy their way into the industry—they earned their spot on shelves by making fire products that actually sell out. With celebrity collaborations in the works and a growing fanbase statewide, Silly Nice continues to prove that you don’t need to be a multi-state operator to win the hearts (and lungs) of New York.

While we can’t name drop dispensaries in this article, we can tell you exactly where to find Silly Nice Weed near you. Head over to the official Silly Nice Legal Dispensary Locator Map and punch in your city or zip code. It’s that simple.

From Riverhead to Rochester, Brooklyn to Buffalo, Silly Nice is showing up strong this 4/20—just make sure you get to your local licensed shop early because these products tend to move fast.

Budtenders are the unsung heroes of the cannabis industry. They guide you, educate you, and in many cases, introduce you to life-changing products like Silly Nice. This 4/20, don’t just say thanks—show thanks. Always tip your budtender.

Whether you’re in Riverhead or anywhere else in New York, Silly Nice is ready to help you celebrate 4/20 the right way—with real Weed, real quality, and real community.