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The super-popular Roto Grocery that closed on Main Street in September will be returning to downtown Bay Shore, this time at the new Shoregate complex, it was just announced.
The owners of the beloved breakfast and lunch café have signed a lease for new retail space at the corner of 4th Avenue and Mechanicsville Road.
The 1,650-square-foot spot will now simply be called Roto, the owners said.
“We are thrilled to bring Roto to Shoregate and continue our journey of providing exceptional culinary experiences to our community,” said Brock Ferraro, one of the Roto co-owners. “The new location allows us to expand our offerings and cater to a broader audience.”
Roto will serve the general public, along with easy shopping access to residents of the massive, 418-unit apartment complex, which opened in November just north of Main Street.
The complex was built by TRITEC Real Estate Company.
“Roto is a perfect fit for Shoregate as a local business that fosters a sense of community and high-quality offerings,” said Christopher Mahoney of TRITEC. “Their dedication to providing exceptional food and service will enhance the residential experience and contribute significantly to Shoregate’s distinctive character as a community deeply rooted in local connections.”
The foodie company was founded by two college buddies, Brock Ferraro and Jack Monahan, who had met at school in Charleston, S.C., and drew inspiration from Court Street grocers and Charleston cafés when conceptualizing Roto, which they opened to fanfare in December of 2022.
The goal was to cater to food enthusiasts seeking a fusion of artisan sandwiches and timeless classics. But they quickly out grew their Main Street spot that was adjoined with Fire Island Vines and closed last year to start planning their move over to Shoregate.
The partners also like the idea of catering to folks heading south to the Fire Island Ferries.
“We hope to offer breakfast and lunch sandwiches to the people on their way to enjoy Fire Island, serve our existing customer base, and become a staple to the residents of Shoregate,” Monahan said.
The rotating menu at Roto will showcase a diverse selection of recipes crafted with locally sourced, seasonal ingredients with distinctive flavors, the owner said.
The space is expected to be completed this summer.
Top: The Roto and Shoregate team outside the new location that’s expected to be open this summer, from L-R, Jessica Nelson (TRITEC) Patrick Trimboli (Greystar) Kelley Heck (TRITEC) Jack Monahan (Roto) Brock Ferraro (Roto) Chris Mahoney (TRITEC) Megan Cleary (Greystar) Chris Kelly (TRITEC)
