How One Bellport Business Turned a 20-Year Vacant Storefront Into a Thriving Kitchen

Some business owners open their doors and hope customers show up. Lisa Basini opened The Baking Coach in Bellport and hoped the lights would stay on.

The space she chose had been sitting empty since 2005—nearly two decades of darkness at the Bellport Outlets. Transforming it into a functioning commercial kitchen meant extensive renovations, new equipment, and energy bills that started running before the first customer walked in.

The Challenge of Opening in a Long-Vacant Space

For small business owners, the first year is make-or-break. Cash flow is unpredictable. Expenses arrive faster than revenue. And when your business depends on ovens, refrigerators, and freezers running all day, utility costs become a major factor.

"We use a lot of energy because of the nature of the business," Basini said.

She was managing contractors, navigating inspections, and building programming—all while watching the electric meter spin. The financial pressure of those early months could have derailed the business before it found its footing.

Finding Help Through PSEG Long Island

While researching resources online, Basini discovered PSEG Long Island's Business First program. She reached out and connected with Business First Advocate Harley Spinks.

Instead of navigating complex incentive programs alone, Basini suddenly had a direct point of contact who understood the challenges of opening a new storefront.

"They care," she said. "They show how much they care about the small business."

Spinks helped Basini understand what incentives were available and guided her through the application process. One program in particular caught her attention: Business First offers support for businesses moving into storefronts that have been empty for at least one year.

"It said it had to be empty for at least one year," Basini recalled. "And I'm like, man, I'm in!"

$3,200 in Savings Made a Real Difference

With Spinks' support, Basini qualified for the program and received approximately $3,200 in credits. The savings were applied directly to her electric bills during that critical first year.

"It really, really helped with the first overwhelming year in business," she said.

The impact went beyond the financial relief. As a new storefront owner juggling multiple responsibilities, having someone accessible to answer questions and explain the process made a tangible difference in her day-to-day operations.

"I really feel like I have a personal connection," she said of working with PSEG Long Island.

Building a Business That Gives Back

With the monthly credits easing financial pressure while revenue ramped up, Basini could focus on what mattered most: building her programs.

The Baking Coach isn't just a commercial kitchen. It's a teaching space where children, families, and differently abled adults learn to bake. The business fills a unique niche in the Bellport community, offering classes and experiences that bring people together around food.

That mission might not have been possible without the support that helped get the doors open and the ovens running.

A Model for Other New Business Owners

Basini's experience highlights an important resource for entrepreneurs on Long Island. Programs like Business First can provide meaningful financial relief during the most vulnerable phase of business ownership.

For anyone considering opening a storefront, researching utility incentives and connecting with business advocates could make the difference between struggling to survive and having room to grow.

The Baking Coach is now a thriving part of the Bellport Outlets, proving that with the right support, even a space that sat empty for nearly two decades can become something vital.

The Baking Coach is located at the Bellport Outlets. For more information about PSEG Long Island's Business First program, visit psegliny.com.