The French Workshop set to debut first Suffolk County location Friday

The wait is almost over for Suffolk County pastry lovers.

After months of anticipation, The French Workshop will officially open its first Suffolk County location this Friday at Station Yards in Ronkonkoma, with a grand opening celebration set for July 21.

The opening marks another milestone for the growing Station Yards development, where anticipation has been building since plans for a French Workshop in Suffolk County were first reported by Greater Long Island in March 2025.

The bakery-café occupies the standalone building overlooking the Village Green at the heart of the mixed-use destination.

The French Workshop will initially operate from noon to 9 p.m. before transitioning (after the grand opening event) to its regular schedule of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends, serving everyone from early LIRR commuters to late-night dessert seekers.

“We’ve got to open early because the train is right there,” James Bonanno, co-founder of Upstream Hospitality Group, told Greater Long Island.

His company is operating the café as The French Workshop’s first franchise.

“We have a great coffee program, breakfast sandwiches and pastries,” Bonanno said. “Then at night, there are people eating dinner at the other restaurants or hanging out at Tap Room who might want to come over for dessert.”

The café offers an extensive selection of artisan pastries, croissants, cakes, cookies, pies, espresso drinks and specialty coffees, along with breakfast sandwiches, baguettes and made-to-order lunch options.

Bonanno said he first discovered The French Workshop as a customer while opening Tap Room in Garden City.

“I kept going into The French Workshop because I really loved it,” he said.

That admiration eventually turned into a business opportunity.

“They told us they were about to franchise and thought we would be a great hospitality group to become their first franchisee,” Bonanno said. “One thing led to another, and we’re here.”

Bringing the concept to Ronkonkoma felt like a natural fit, he said.

“We’re already here with Tap Room, and it’s a beautiful development,” Bonanno said. “Tap Room has been doing extremely well, and this building is absolutely fantastic. Sitting right here in the square, we just thought it would be a great fit for The French Workshop.”

He believes the café’s wide-ranging menu is what will appeal to the broadest audience.

“It’s an incredible offering,” Bonanno said. “Whether you want something savory or something sweet, there’s breakfast items, amazing croissants, sandwiches and baguettes for lunch, and great fresh desserts.

“There’s really something for everybody.”

Founded in Bayside, Queens, The French Workshop has developed a loyal following for its European-style bakery offerings, with existing Long Island locations in Wantagh, Plainview and Garden City. The Ronkonkoma café is the company’s first in Suffolk County.

While additional franchise locations may be part of the future, Bonanno said his focus is firmly on making the Station Yards café a destination.

“Eventually, probably,” he said of expanding. “But right now we’re just focused on Station Yards, giving people a great experience and making this location everything we know it can be.”

The French Workshop opens fully to the public this Friday from noon to 9 p.m. Its official grand opening celebration is scheduled for July 21.

The sneak peek

Photos by Julianne Mosher