Brian Van Nieuwenhoven

Today I am having one last post-bike-ride chow down at Little Creek Oysters in Greenport, NY out on the North Fork of Long Island. This has been a consistent destination for me going on ten years, in part because of the shuck-your-own-oysters platter on the menu. Little Creek intends to continue its business, just not with this landlord. 🥴😭🤣 So it is time to move on from the Bait Shack, which kinda makes sense anyway considering how much effort these guys have put into “de-watering” this place after every heavy storm.

If you follow my stories, it’s been a brutal year for reliable restaurants and snack places along my bike routes. Gunk Haus in Clintondale closed a few weeks ago; Peekskill Brewery folded last November after the main bike season; 2nd Story Brewing in Philly hadn’t been seen in a while, but is finally confirmed closed. Strictly Bicycle is still there, but with curtailed hours. A couple of delis I used to rely on have either significantly downsized or closed altogether, with tough or ill-fitting alternatives. I fear more bad news is to come, given trends in restaurants, rents 📈 and craft beer sales. 📉

It’s not all doom and gloom, and I find these situations are opportunities for good owners to come back better than ever, or for new people to take a shot. (Gunk Haus’ space is opening as @theridgebymillhouse in a few months). For now, I’m taking whatever gulps of food and drink I can still get, and I’m hoping 2025 only brings slight adjustments to my ride plans so that I can continue finding great rest stops in the region. 🧂🍽️