The Columbia Care medical marijuana dispensary is closing its doors on East Main Street in Riverhead today.

The company is not closing its dispensary permanently, according to the State Office of Cannabis Management, which licenses marijuana dispensaries

“The temporary closure of Columbia Care NY LLC’s Riverhead medical dispensary is due to the licensee being unable to stay at its current location,” an OCM spokesperson said in an email. The company is working to relocate, the spokesperson said. No additional information is available regarding a future location, according to the email.

Staff members and registered medical patients have been notified, OCM said in the email. Patients have been provided information about nearby medical dispensaries to ensure continued access during Columbia Care’s temporary closure, the email said.

A company spokesperson did not respond to an email sent yesterday seeking comment.

Columbia Care opened its Riverhead dispensary in January 2016. At the time, marijuana could only be sold legally in New York for limited medicinal purposes. New York legalized the possession and recreational use by adults, along with retail sales by licensed adult-use dispensaries and on-site consumption at licensed lounges, as well as at-home cultivation of a limited number of plants.

Columbia Care purchased a large greenhouse operation on Sound Avenue in April 2021, where it grows and processes marijuana plants.

In April 2022, Cresco Labs, a large cannabis company based in Chicago, announced it would acquire Columbia Care in a $2 billion deal. On July 30, 2023, Cresco Labs and Columbia Care announced they had mutually agreed to terminate the deal.

In September 2023, Columbia Care announced it had changed its legal name to the Cannabist Company Holdings and was rebranding itself as the Cannabist Company, a brand it launched in 2021 for retail stores it had begun opening across the country.

As of December 2023, Columbia Care had applied for status as a Registered Organization Dispensary, which allows it to co-locate adult use sales at its medical dispensary. It qualified to make that transition, according to a Cannabis Control Board resolution, but never began adult-use sales at its Riverhead medical dispensary.

In June 2024, the Cannabist Company announced a corporate restructuring that included divesting itself of its assets and license in Florida, preparing for adult-use transitions in Ohio and Delaware, and closing or modifying the operations of other underperforming assets.

The company, which is publicly traded in Canada, has had declining revenues and is currently operating at a loss, reporting negative earnings per share, according to securities filings. The value of the company’s stock has fallen from a high of $5.96 per share in February 2021 to $.05 per share as of Dec. 30.

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"The one thing we absolutely succeeded on was creating an incredible community of so many good people."

RIVERHEAD, NY — It's the saddest of last calls for the Long Ireland Beer Company — the final last call.

"This day will be our last," Long Ireland Beer Company team wrote on social media on New Year's Eve. "What a way to end off the year."

The post continued: "Yes, we are all heartbroken and our team is really going through it. We know so many of you share in our sadness that this era is coming to an end. Almost 17 years — that’s a heck of a run. We want to thank everyone that has been streaming through our doors in the last few weeks and days. Sharing great stories with us about fun drinking days and nights, who you’ve met, lifelong friends you’ve made and memories you created inside our walls. The one thing we absolutely succeeded on was creating an incredible community of so many good people, so many of whom we consider the greatest of friends."

And, the team said: "As we close out this chapter and prepare to close our doors, we invite you to join us one last time as we prepare for whatever the new year has in store for us. We will be open 12 p.m. to 12 a.m., which gives plenty of time for everyone to come in for a bit and have a last beer or two with us. Live music with @cloverscurfew will kick off from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and we will count down our Irish New Year at 7 p.m."

Guests should keep in mind that not all their favorite beers will be on tap at this point. "We know some of you got upset at that, but we still have plenty of great beers to pour," the team said. "We expect it will probably be busy, so please be chill and kind to other people trying to enjoy their last beers with us. Share tables with people if you have open seats, share stories, and make some great last memories. Since it will be packed, pls leave strollers/car seats in your car while you visit with your family and keep in mind that it’s 21+ from 5 p.m. to close."

No food truck will be onhand, so guests can feel free to bring their own snack along.

"We are out of all shirts and glasses &andwe are incredibly low on cans to bring home and will only fill growlers of a few select beers — and only if we aren’t slammed at the time. We will try our best," the message said.

"Over the next days and weeks we will continue to share pictures we’ve collected from so many great times here, and we welcome you to continue to share & tag us in yours! From our entire team, Dan, Sheila, Kevin, Lisa, Tim, Kayleigh and Joe — Sláinte."

In past weeks, the Long Ireland Beer Company said it has its own version of an old Irish proverb: "Closing leaves a heartache no one can heal. Beer and friendship leaves memories no one can steal."

The words preceded an announcement on social media that left hearts broken for miles on Long Island.

"Sadly, we are making this post to let all of our loyal Hooligans know that after almost 17 years in business, we will be closing our doors for good in just a few short weeks," the post on the Long Ireland Beer Company's Facebook page said. "We have worked endlessly these past years trying to stay afloat, trying to provide a fun an welcoming atmosphere, trying to brew consistently good beer. Even with all of our hard work and dedication — we have come to the reality that it just isn’t enough."

New Year's Eve, December 31, will be the last day for the brewery, the post said.

"From first dates to last calls, crazy 'Halfway' parties to after work beers, Long Ireland has always been more than a place to drink. It’s where we made so many real friends, so many awesome memories. The community that was created here is nothing short of incredible and we’re all so thankful for that," the post said. "Over the next couple of weeks we hope you’ll join us in the tasting room and help us say good-bye on a high note. We have a few fun events left, so If you’ve ever raised a pint with us, made a memory here, or felt like part of our extended beer-loving family — now’s the time to come by and see us."

The post added: "Dan, Kevin, Lisa, Tim, Kayleigh, Joe and I (Sheila) will all be at the brewery for different shifts and events over the next couple of weeks and we hope to see all our favorites through the doors. NYE will be our final hurrah as they say, and we plan to go out partying as only we can. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for making Long Ireland what it was. Long Live Long Ireland — always."

In May, the Long Island Beer Company turned to social media to try valiantly save its business.

The Long Ireland Beer Company, located in Riverhead, posted a message on its Facebook page in May: "We’re not crying into our beers — but we’re definitely staring into them a little longer these days."

The post continued: "After 16 years of brewing beer on Long Island, the cost of everything has gone up, from hops and grain, to aluminum cans and cups. Sales are down everywhere, expenses are up, and this economy is rougher than the day after Half Way hangover. We are struggling to survive, like so many businesses are, and our future isn’t guaranteed. Every day we see local breweries, restaurants and local businesses we love closing their doors — and we don’t want that to be our fate, too."

The Long Ireland Beer Company was founded in 2009 by Dan Burke and Greg Martin.

"We want nothing more than to keep making beer for you and throwing fun events that we’ve all come to love," the post said. "But we can’t do it alone. So here’s how you can help keep the taps flowing here at Long Ireland."

The brewery then listed tips to help the business survive.

The post went on to say: "The more you sip, the more we survive. Let’s keep this brewery alive, one beer at a time. We hope to see all of you soon! Long live Long Ireland."

Sheila Malone, the general manager at the brewery, told Patch in May that she wrote the post "because we definitely are struggling. And it always seems to be that businesses don’t let customers know that they’re hurting until they’re closing their doors — and nothing can be done to help. We’re hoping that this will maybe get a few people back through the doors."

Malone added: "We just celebrated the 16th anniversary of the brewery in March. For our whole team, this is, of course, our livelihoods, but it’s also a community we’ve built with so many local customers."

It was heartening, Malone said, to see so many posting messages of support on social media. "Our families and friends have all been so intertwined within this business — and we’re very proud of what we do."

The Long Ireland Beer Company is located at 817 Pulaski Street in Riverhead.

Several national retail chains doing business in NY disappeared entirely in 2025 amid surging costs, persistent inflation, more.

LONG ISLAND — Several national retail chains doing business in New York disappeared entirely in 2025 amid surging costs, persistent inflation that curbed consumer demand, and intense e-commerce competition.

Below is a look back at how the retail landscape changed in New York in 2025.

Among businesses that closed entirely in 2025 were Party City, the No. 1 U.S. party goods supplier; Jo-Ann, a leading supplier of fabric, sewing goods, and arts and crafts supplies; and fast-fashion retailer Forever 21, which closed its mall stores and adopted an e-commerce model.

On Long Island, Jo-Ann closed its West Babylon location. Meanwhile, Forever 21 closed locations in Riverhead, Lake Grove, Valley Stream, Bay Shore, Deer Park, and Garden City. And Party City closed 14 Long Island locations.

Rite Aid also closed the last of its drugstores in 2025, including 18 locations on Long Island. The chain began closing hundreds of stores in late 2023 and throughout 2024 as part of its bankruptcy filing, then filed a second bankruptcy in May 2025 and shuttered the remaining stores in September and October.

Other businesses downsized, closed underperforming locations, or filed for bankruptcy to manage debt and adapt to changes in consumer spending, including these stores in New York:

Advance Auto Parts said in a fourth-quarter 2024 earnings report that it would continue its plan to shutter 523 corporate stores, exit 204 independent locations, and close four distribution centers.

At Home, a home-decor and furniture store, said in a June bankruptcy filing that it would close 26 stores.

Best Buy planned to continue its plan of gradually decreasing its national footprint with plans to shutter 10 t0 15 in 2025, Money Digest reported.

Big Lots’ bankruptcy led to hundreds of store closures. Leases were sold for about 400 to 600 stores, but 200 remained open after they were acquired by Variety Wholesalers, USA Today reported.

Carter’s, one of the biggest baby and children’s apparel retailers in North America, said in October it would shutter 150 “low margin” stores over the next three years.

Claire’s planned to close 291 stores nationwide in 2025 as part of its bankruptcy process, Newsweek reported.

Denny’s continued to downsize in 2025 with plans to close 100 restaurants after having closed 50 in 2024, Food Chain Magazine reported.

Dick’s Sporting Goods planned to close 35 locations in 2025, Patch previously reported.

Dollar General said in a fourth-quarter 2024 earnings report that it planned to shutter 96 Dollar General and 45 Popshelf stores during the first quarter of 2025. The plan also included converting another six Popshelf stores into Dollar General stores.

Dollar Tree, which acquired competitor Family Dollar in 2015, continued divesting itself from the struggling brand in 2025 and planned to close another 370 stores, Business Insider reported. In 2024, Dollar Tree shuttered 600 Family Dollar stores

Foot Locker planned to close more than 400 stores before the beginning of 2026. Plans also included rebranding 280 stores to “focus on its community power store and play concepts,” ABC News reported.

GameStop, which closed 590 U.S. location in 2024 planned to close a “significant number” of additional stores by the end of 2025 Business Insider reported.

JCPenney closed eight stores in May as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan, USA Today reported. The department store company entered into a $947 million cash detail with the private equity firm Onyx Partners Ltd. to transfer ownership of 119 remaining locations, but the collapsed in December and the fate of the stores remains unclear, The Street reported.

Kirkland’s, a home decor chain purchase by Bed Bath & Beyond, planned to shutter underperforming locations while also converting some to brands that could increase profit, USA Today reported.

Kohl’s planned to close 27 “underperforming stores” and a fulfillment center before April, ChainStoreAge reported.

Lumber Liquidators/LL Flooring planned to close 100 stores as part of the company’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. LL Flooring, which was previously known as Lumber Liquidators, had been expected to close entirely, but was purchased by a private equity firm in 2024, Retail Dive reported.

Macy’s closed at least 66 stores in 2025 as part of an overall plan to shutter 150 stores through the end of 2026 to focus on its best-performing stores and improve the digital experience for customers, according to a news release.

Noodles & Company planned to close another 17 locations in 2025 after have shuttered about 20 in 2024, The Street reported.

On The Border closed nearly a third of its 120 restaurants in February and later filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Fast Company reported.

PNC Bank, the nation’s continued downsizing after closing about 10 percent of its branches, closed a half dozen locations in 2025, The Street reported.

7-Eleven planned to close 148 stores in 2025, adding to the 444 stores shuttered in 2024 as part of a strategy to focus on healthier food options and reduce costs amid declining cigarette sales and lower traffic, Fast Company reported.

Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill said in a March news release it would close at least nine underperforming locations and transition half of its remaining locations to the Twin Peaks brand.

Starbucks said in September that it planned to close hundreds of stores and revamp others under a project that will potentially cost $1 billion, Newsweek reported.

TGI Fridays planned to close 36 locations and sell off nine of its restaurants, Eat This, Not That! reported.

Torrid told investors in March that it would begin a store optimization plan that would include the closure of 50 stores and makeovers at other locations, Retail Dive reported.

United Parcel Service, better known as UPS, planned to close around 73 leased or owned buildings and cut nearly 20,000 jobs as part of the process, USA Today reported.

Walgreens planned to close 2,150 locations through 2027, accounting for nearly a quarter of its 8,600 stores, Good Housekeeping reported.

A fast-moving storm dumped 6 to 8 inches of snow across the local area, beginning after dark Friday and ending before daylight Saturday.

All winter storm warnings, which had been set to expire at 1 p.m. Saturday, were cancelled by 6:30 a.m., the National Weather Service said.

The snow came down fast and furious at the outset. There was nothing subtle about it, according to Riverhead Highway Superintendent Mike Zaleski. A band of heavy snow kicked things off at about 6:30 Friday evening.

“We were prepared,” Riverhead Highway Superintendent Mike Zaleski said in a phone interview Saturday morning. “At 7 p.m., every single truck was loaded and ready, and then, literally, we had two inches on the ground and in a half-hour,” Zaleski said.

Riverhead highway crews were out all night working to keep roads clear for the second time in two weeks, Zaleski said. That’s unusual for the month of December in recent years, he said. “This has been a cold December.”

Unlike the storm of Dec. 14, this one did not come with a lot of wind and that was helpful, the highway superintendent said. Very strong wind gusts two weeks ago blew snow around and made keeping east-west roadways open very difficult.

This time, it was how fast heavy snow came down that complicated things — along with a personnel shortage. Zaleski said five crew members are currently out with the flu and a sixth is sidelined with an injury.The injury was unrelated to the storm, Zaleski said. That left the department with 29 crew members to operate plows, he said. “It’s been all hands on deck.”

Crews are now working to clear roads in developments Zaleski said this at 7:30 a.m.

“I ask people to be patient,” Zaleski said. As always, the department first concentrates snow removal efforts on main arteries, then secondary roads, before clearing side streets and roads in housing developments.

Zaleski said he was pleased that crews were able to get main roads “down to blacktop” with plowing and sand/salt operations. Temperatures are forecast to rise above freezing Saturday, near 40º on Sunday and near 50º on Monday will help melt the snow accumulations, he noted, but temperatures falling below freezing during the overnight hours may make for icy conditions. The National Weather Service is forecasting freezing rain for the local area Sunday night, with ice accumulations of less than one-tenth of an inch possible.

There were multiple motor vehicle accidents Friday evening and during the overnight hours, with vehicles skidding off the roads, some crashing into utility poles or into the woods. Some accidents involved more than one vehicle. Overall, any injuries were minor.

Snow accumulations of 6 to 8 inches were reported across eastern Suffolk County Saturday morning, according to the National Weather Service.

PSEG-Long Island is reporting only seven power outages across its system this morning, with one in Manorville off Ryerson Avenue, south of the L.I. Expressway, affecting an estimated 123 customers, and a second in Calverton on Southfield Road affecting fewer than five customers.

Riverhead Supervisor Tim Hubbard signed a local emergency order Friday afternoon declaring a winter storm event in the town, effective 4 p.m. The order prohibits parking on all town roads and authorizes town employees to take “whatever steps are necessary to protect life and property, and public infrastructure, and to perform other such emergency assistance as deemed necessary.”

Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency in multiple counties, including Suffolk and Nassau, in advance of the storm yesterday.

The survival of local journalism depends on your support. We are a small family-owned operation. You rely on us to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Just a few dollars can help us continue to bring this important service to our community. Support RiverheadLOCAL today.

See what the snowfall totals have been so far in your area.

LONG ISLAND, NY — When all was said and done, Friday's winter storm brought less of an accumulation of snow than expected, according to the National Weather Service.

According to Brian Ciemnecki, meteorologist with the NWS office in Upton, the snow is winding down, with a winter storm warning only remaining up for Suffolk County through 10 a.m.

"Otherwise, the snow is pretty much coming to an end here," he said. "The snow came in last evening really hard and heavy for much of the island and then, became a lighter snowfall from 10 or 11 p.m. on — most places saw good front-end dumping," he said.

Snowfall totals were a bit lower than expected because of q minor shift in the track and some warm air that changed some snow to sleet, bringing the totals down a bit, he said.

Although the snow will come to an end Saturday morning, the day will remain cloudy with temperatures in the low to mid 30s. "We won't see a lot of melting today," Ciemnecki said. "Anything that does melt should freeze quickly tonight."

Temperatures Saturday night should hover in the teens, he said.

Sunday will bring a slight warmup, with temperatures in the low 40s — on Monday those temps will rise to the lower 50s with rain expected to wash away some of the snow, he said.

Here are snowfall totals for Long Island as of about 1:41 a.m., according to the National Weather Service.

Suffolk County

North Patchogue: 6.8 inches

Hampton Bays: 6.5 inches

Sag Harbor: 6.0 inches

Orient: 6.0 inches

Babylon: 5.8 inches

Flanders: 5.8 inches

Islip Airport: 5.6 inches

Ridge: 5.6 inches

Upton (NWS Office) 5.5 inches

Nesconset: 5.1 inches

Shirley Airport: 5.1 inches

Bohemia: 4.7 inches

Stony Brook: 4.3 inches

Smithtown: 4.3 inches

Center Moriches: 4.2 inches

East Patchogue: 4.0 inches

Commack: 4.0 inches

Sunken Meadow Park: 3.9 inches

Islip: 3.8 inches

Centereach: 3.8 inches

Kings Park: 3.6 inches

Medford: 3.6 inches

Smithtown: 3.5 inches

Commack: 3.5 inches

Deer Park: 3.3 inches

Deer Park: 3.3 inches

Bellport: 3.3 inches

Ridge: 3.3 inches

Miller Place: 3.0 inches

Patchogue: 2.5 inches

Poquott: 2.0 inches

Nassau County

Oceanside: 4.0 inches

Bethpage: 3.5 inches

Syosset: 3.1 inches

East Massapequa: 2.4 inches

Elmont: 2.0 inches

Bellmore: 2.0 inches

Plainedge: 1.7 inches

Manhasset Hills: 1.6 inches

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