Having moved next door just two weeks ago, the 186 Terry Road-located “Panico’s Community Market” is proud to further expand its reach beyond the Smithtown community with a coveted country club collaboration.
“We heard about the bid coming up, we took a shot at it, and surprisingly won the bid,” owner Donato Panico told The Messenger. His successful acquisition of the Smithtown Landing Country Club catering contract ousts the latter’s longtime concessionaire, Lessing’s Hospitality Group.Lessing’s will remain as the venue’s official catering partner through December 31, per the Smithtown Town Board’s September 22 approval of Panico and his team.
“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do since I was a kid,” Panico added, noting his affinity for providing on-sight craft services and working backyard parties. “You have to live your dreams, and you’re seeing the dress rehearsal.”
What months of preparation will entail: Panico and the rest of his doting staff behind the kitchen and in front, with the assistance of the town, overseeing the renovations needed, and making the changes necessary as they push ahead toward their “next adventure.”
“We’re going to hit the ground running and address all the problems that come our way with a lot of new energy,” Panico said.
It’s a destiny that’s already seen itself manifest several times over, and will continue too with selfless community servers like Panico calling the shots. A local staple in every sense, the community market has also routinely welcomed civilians beyond the town, Veterans and first responders as part of its “Heros for Our Heroes” non-profit operation, which The Messenger spotlighted last December, and even a congressman that’s signature sandwich has received a gubernatorial title revision.
“When Lee [Zeldin, Shirley-R] announced he was running for Governor, I told him he’s ‘got it in the bag.’ So ‘The Zeldin’ signature sandwich is now ‘The Governor,’” Panico spoke of Congressman Zeldin’s preferred order – Chicken Cutlet, vodka sauce and fresh mozzarella (photos above) – a specialty combination that needs no additional sales pitch.
Whether it’s an elected representative stopping by on a Saturday afternoon along the campaign trail, an everyday hero in need, or someone in need in general, Panico treats all his patrons equally: “like they’re a member of my family” – a recipe that has worked for 30 years and will continue to indefinitely.
Sponsored by Panico’s Community Market, their “Heros 4 Our Heroes” spinoff will be at The VA in Northport the week before Thanksgiving, during Christmastime and the week of Easter, as always.
“We stay under the radar,” Panico humbly believes.
But those proud to call themselves “regulars,” and organizations that have rewarded the market with its much- deserved upcoming upgrade know better than to categorize their reach this way.
