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Gemelli’s Gourmet is expanding to Islip, bringing its specialty sandwiches, chopped salad bar and freshly prepared meals to the former Coyle’s Ice Cream storefront on East Main Street.
Co-owner Adriana Holtberg told Greater Long Island the family-run business is taking over the space at 509 E. Main St., with plans to open in early 2027, pending zoning approvals and construction.
Holtberg and her partners, Marc Schutz and Alessia Khoury, are working through final approvals and plans for the new shop.
The expansion follows the opening of Gemelli’s Gourmet in Lindenhurst in May 2025, where the business shares a storefront with Coyle’s Ice Cream. The family also operates Gemelli Gourmet Market North in Glen Head, which has been open for about a decade.
With deep roots on the South Shore, the family saw Islip as a natural fit for its next location.
What’s on the menu
The Islip shop will follow a similar concept to Lindenhurst, offering gourmet sandwiches, chopped salads, prepared foods and grab-and-go meals.
Head chef Anthony Rubino will oversee a menu expected to include specialty sandwiches, freshly prepared burgers and made-to-order pasta, along with a variety of salads.
The family is also planning to continue its sandwich-of-the-month specials and is considering adding a breakfast menu, a first for the brand.
“We know food, we know what works, we know what doesn’t work,” Holtberg said. “And we’re always willing to put our spin on whatever’s trending.”
A neighborhood feel
The new storefront will blend old-school neighborhood charm with a more contemporary look, Holtberg said.
Plans include counter seating near the windows, with the family also exploring indoor and outdoor seating options. The idea is to accommodate customers grabbing a quick lunch as well as those looking to sit down for a meal.
The business has deep family roots. Holtberg said her grandparents started the family’s food business, and her father has worked in the industry since he was 10.
That family atmosphere remains central to Gemelli’s approach, she said, with an emphasis on customer service alongside the food.
“We’re so about family,” Holtberg said.
Top: Anthony Rubino and Adriana Holtberg at the Gemelli’s Gourmet location in Lindenhurst. (Credit: GLI/Julianne Mosher)
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