Alan Krawitz
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Alan Krawitz is a dynamic tech entrepreneur and investor focused on technology startups and innovative ventures. alankrawitz.com/
Articles by Alan Krawitz
Long Island metalhead beats out 700 singers to become Quiet Riot’s new frontman
When iconic heavy metal band Quiet Riot recently announced they had found their new lead singer, a young native Long Island metalhead, the island’s rock world was set abuzz. John Torra, a 23-year-old vocalist from North Massapequa and the lead singer of New Jersey band Fire ‘N Ice, was among more than 700 submissions following the band’s open call for singers.
Perk-Up Coffee Xpress grows to 4 Long Island locations, after starting with a single horse trailer
For Irene Neglia, great coffee is more than high-quality beans, careful roasting and consistent service. It’s about connection. “I just love how a great cup of coffee can bring a conversation together,” said Neglia, the founder and owner of Perk-Up Coffee Xpress and a native Long Islander who launched her growing coffee company in 2023 after more than a decade working as a real estate paralegal. But Neglia’s entrepreneurial plan wasn’t always to sell coffee.
Wren Kitchens shuts down, leaves Long Island home improvement customers in the dust
Once again, a home improvement company has left Long Island residents high and dry with unfinished projects, lost deposits and uncertain warranty coverages on recently completed installations. On the heels of Alure Home Improvements’ collapse late last year, kitchen design retailer Wren Kitchens, which was headquartered in the United Kingdom, ceased all U.S. operations, shuttering a total of 15 stores in April.
Via Cuma opens second Long Island location in Oceanside, puts Naples on the table
The dough ferments for 24 hours. The tomatoes come straight from Naples. And the mozzarella clears customs just before it hits your plate. That’s the formula behind Via Cuma, the sourdough pizza and cucina concept that just opened its second Long Island location in Oceanside after winning a devoted following in Valley Stream — and it’s converting skeptics one bite at a time.
Governor’s Laugh-Off returns for 15th year, seeks Long Island’s funniest
Has anyone has ever told you, “you’re funny…you should do stand-up?” Have you ever wondered if you could make it in the world of professional comedy? Governor’s Comedy Club in Levittown has a competition that just might help answer those questions. The Great Long Island Laugh-Off 2026 — now in its 15th year — runs through the end of June as the longest running, and most prestigious comedy contest on Long Island.
Passion for ‘living foods’ powers growth at Huntington’s Lillo Farm
“You are what you eat” isn’t just a saying for Don DiLillo — it’s the foundation of his business. The founder Lillo Farm in Huntington is focused on bringing microgreens, sprouts and other “living foods” to a wider audience, pitching them as a simple way to boost nutrition without overhauling an entire diet. Harvested at an early stage, these foods pack concentrated levels of vitamins, minerals and enzymes, making them among the most nutrient-dense options available, DiLillo said.
California woman scammed $3.5M from Hempstead schools, DA says
Officials say school district fell victim to an email scam that resulted in funds being transferred to an account controlled by defendant A California woman faces grand larceny charges for allegedly stealing $3.5 million from the Hempstead Union Free School District in 2024, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said.
Step inside Manny’s Sweet Treats, Mineola’s dessert haven
From gelato pizzas to cookie fries, Manny’s turns desserts into imaginative, family-friendly experiences First opening its doors in 2016, Manny’s Sweet Treats in Mineola has become much more than a great dessert spot on bustling Jericho Turnpike.
Alure is gone and experts predict most customers won't get a dime back
Karen Dasaro lost a $14,000 deposit to install new windows with the now-shuttered Alure Home Improvements. The Wading River woman’s home improvement project never got off the ground because Commack-based Alure Home Improvements — aka Alure Home Solutions — abruptly shut down in November following the filing of Chapter 7 bankruptcy by its parent company, Renovo Home Partners. The filing came a week after the company accepted Dasaro’s down payment.
Washington Post layoffs represent more than just downsizing
As many media experts note, journalist layoffs are nothing new and have been happening for years now. Just a few years back, a Pew Research Center analysis of data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that newsroom employment in the U.S had dropped by 26 percent since 2008. And more recently, a report from Nieman added that nearly 10,000 journalists have lost their jobs in just the last three years.
Iranian-Americans on Long Island speak out on unrest, violent crackdown in Iran
On Long Island, home to more than 15,000 Iranian-Americans, residents are reacting with horror and disbelief to reports of a deadly government crackdown in Iran, where mass anti-regime protests that began in late December 2025 over soaring costs and economic hardship have been met with lethal force. The conversations come amid ongoing unrest in Iran, where waves of protests have erupted in response to political repression, economic strain and restrictions on personal freedoms.
Northwell to launch Long Island’s first adult pancreas transplant program
Long Island’s first adult pancreas transplant program will soon be up and running at the Northwell Transplant Institute at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH) as the hospital recently completed a site visit with state department of health officials, the last step before the program opens to new patients. The hospital’s transplant institute is one of 59 adult transplant centers in the country to offer heart, kidney, liver, lung and pancreas programs.
Beloved German restaurant Oak Chalet closing in Bellmore after 40-plus years
Oak Chalet, one of only a handful of authentic German restaurants that remain in the New York area, is set to close just after the New Year, after more than 40 years in business in Bellmore. Owner Gisela Wedel, 84, told Greater Long Island the decision to close was a difficult one, but following her husband Dieter Reinking’s death in February, keeping the restaurant going has been an arduous task. “My husband did much of the day-to-day management of the restaurant.
Top Fitness Tips for Busy Professionals
With the new year now in full swing, many busy people are looking to maintain ambitious resolutions that likely include reference to either getting in shape, losing weight or just finally becoming more fit. Moreover, there is an ever-growing body of evidence and studies that indicate adding daily exercise can not only help people live longer and healthier lives, but may also help them be happier and more productive.
PDQ Long Island locations rebrand as Chick & Tender
Shakespeare famously asked “What’s in a name?” And even though the thespian wasn’t using the question in a marketing sense, it’s quite true that company and product names can often mean the difference between success and failure. And, in a way, Dean Poll and his partner Tom Fanning, who co-owned two PDQ chicken franchises on Long Island, one in Farmingdale and one in Westbury, asked the same question before deciding to sever their franchise relationship with Tampa, Florida-based PDQ.
Are There Too Many Podcasts?
In recent years, the number of podcasts has exploded, with seemingly anyone and everyone jumping on the trend, from high-profile comedians and A-list celebrities to local tradespeople, various designers, fledgling journalists and political commentators. And with comedian Marc Maron’s recent announcement of the end of his 16-year-old, uber-popular WTF with Marc Maron podcast, slated to end this fall, some might be asking the question: Are there too many podcasts?
Eternal Con back on LI: 5,000 fans pack Hofstra for comics, cosplay, etc.
After a one-year hiatus, Eternal Con, one of the area’s favorite pop culture events, made its triumphant return to Long Island this month. Hofstra University hosted the two-day extravaganza July 12-13, featuring comics, artists and celebrities from the worlds of cosplay, anime, gaming and more. “The show went great … We were off for a year, so we didn’t know what to expect,” said Frank Patz, founder of Eternal Con, which celebrated its 13th year of “fandom,” this year.
Massapequa Park brunch favorite Jam moves in with The Good Life
Brunch lovers, get ready for a collaboration of delicious proportions. Later this month, Jam of Massapequa Park is merging with and moving to The Good Life and its authentic, English pub fare, just down the street on Park Boulevard. Tentatively dubbed “Good morning at The Good Life,” foodies stand to get the best of all meals.
Elmont's King Umberto set to unveil 'Serata,' an elegant new dining experience
Click here for Greater Long Island newsletters. Click here to download the iPhone app. Venerable Italian eatery King Umberto, a fixture in Elmont since 1976, is moving on up with a new, upscale dining room, a reinvigorated menu and other changes to improve the freshness and quality of many of their signature dishes and specialties. “Serata,” King Umberto’s elevated culinary concept, will start taking reservations in June, said Ciro Cesarano, the restaurant’s co-owner and general manager.
Bellmore's Roberto Chang serves up Latin & Asian modern street food
Click here for Greater Long Island newsletters. Click here to download the iPhone app. With his first New York location, Roberto Chang owner Paul Cicchetti hopes diners come for the adventerous and healthier food — and just maybe, a couple will feel inspired to open their own franchise. Cicchetti, a Harlem native who moved to Long Island, explained that he came up with the concept for his Latin and Asian modern street food restaurant in Bellmore about seven years ago.
Islip Terrace plumber stars on '90 Day Fiancé' in search for love
In a world where algorithmic matchmaking and digital romance dominate the search for love, Greg Chillak’s story defies the conventional playbook. Far from swiping through endless profiles or meticulously crafting online personas on dating sites, this Long Island native discovered his soulmate through a serendipitous encounter and a trip to Uganda.
The Best Fitness Plans for Busy People | SUCCESS
With the new year now in full swing, many busy people are looking to maintain ambitious resolutions that likely include reference to either getting in shape, losing weight or just finally becoming more fit. Moreover, there is an ever-growing body of evidence and studies that indicate adding daily exercise can not only help people live longer and healthier lives, but may also help them be happier and more productive.
Meet Alan Krawitz: Tech Entrepreneur, Investor and Consultant of Top Technology Companies in 2025
Alan Krawitz · Follow 2 min read · Jan 27, 2025 -- Alan Krawitz is a technology entrepreneur and an investor. Krawitz has worked for and with some of the top technology companies of 2024. In 2025, he’s setting his sights even higher, investing in the fastest growing tech startups in the world. Backed by over a decade of experience in developing and launching software, Krawitz stems from a tech-centric professional background.
Longview restaurant to host sports simulator, from golf to baseball
In September, two working moms opened a restaurant in downtown Longview to give families a place for food and fun. The Salty Beaver is located on Commerce Avenue in the site of the former Urban Saloon, which closed during the pandemic in 2020. The restaurant will soon have a golf simulator, where golfers hit balls in front of a large video screen of a golf course to analyze their swings.
Navigating Scandal: How to Come Back From the Brink
A famous quote by Will Rogers says “It takes a lifetime to build a good reputation, but you can lose it in a minute.” Indeed, today’s 24-hour news cycle and often toxic social media climate can leave little room for missteps, miscues and lapses in judgment in business and social settings alike.
Are Food Trucks an Ideal Business for Entrepreneurial Immigrants?
If you stroll down any block in a major city, chances are high that you’ll encounter a food truck. These mobile food options sell almost any kind of cuisine you can think of—from old standbys like hot dogs and ice cream to upscale eats like Mexican birria tacos, Peruvian ceviche or authentic halal chicken over rice with the works. But you might also find that that food truck is owned or operated by an immigrant.
The Carriage rolls to new location at former Regent site, focuses on entertainment
The Carriage might not have wheels or be led by a horse, but the restaurant has moved. Please subscribe to continue reading… Love Funny Wow Sad Angry
Kelso business owner learns from MTV 'Real World' alum in startup series
The owner and operator of Cacao Kingdom in Kelso's Three Rivers Mall is one of the latest contestants to appear on The Blox, a web-based reality show hosted by "The Challenge" star and former "The Real World: Austin" alum Wes Bergmann. Please subscribe to continue reading… Love Funny Wow Sad Angry
8 Long Island Oyster Bars to try this summer
Looking for an oyster fix on Long Island this summer? Well, you’re not alone. For the uninitiated, oysters are a favorite seafood staple for a reason. Not only do they provide an impressive array of health benefits from vitamins and minerals to antioxidants, they are also essential to the ecosystem, helping to clean our waterways.
Stemming The Tide Of Antisemitism On Long Island Amidst Middle East Tensions
While much of the increase in antisemitic activity on Long Island can be attributed to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, the Islamist militant movement, organizations that track such activity say the rise in antisemitism has been seen for the past several years, and it must continue to be confronted and exposed. “We’ve seen a significant increase over the years.
Country Steakhouse in old Longview Sizzler to add lunch buffet
The Country Steakhouse in Longview took over the former Sizzler restaurant in November, but staff are already working on updating its menu, which includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. Manager Ernesto Guitron, 29, said they are working on adding new dishes to the menu, as well as a lunch buffet, similar to a Sizzler, and are looking for community feedback on what to offer. The Ocean Beach Highway restaurant had been a Sizzler steakhouse since the 1960s.
Champion Pizza: From Zero To Success - Hakki Akdeniz’ American Dream
Hakki Akdeniz, the owner of pizza chain Champion Pizza, which has 15 locations spread across New York City, Long Island, Texas and Florida, is the central character in a story that can be described as part rags to riches and part American dream. Originally from a small village in Turkey, as one of 17 kids with little education, Akdeniz came to the U.S. in 2001 by way of Canada with little more than $240 in his pocket and a yearning to succeed.
Twisted Fork: Company Turns Focus To Brunch
“On the weekends, brunch will become the new dinner thanks to its equally appealing social aspects, large adult beverage selections, and lower average checks,” reports food consultancy Technomic in a recent Axios story. The story added that brunch is undergoing a big revival in cities from Salt Lake City, Utah to Richmond, Virginia.
Grand Stage Diner: Iconic NYC Eatery Reborn on Long Island
Grand Stage Eatery: Iconic New York City Eatery Is Reborn On Long Island With a menu “like an encyclopedia,” the Grand Stage Diner is “a place where people can come anytime and get breakfast, lunch or dinner and have whatever you like,” says George Argyris, who co-owns the diner along with his brother Nick. The Grand Stage opened in 2019 on the site of the Empress Diner on Hempstead Turnpike and has since been warmly received by Long Island diners both in person and via online reviews.
New bar and grill comes to Longview's 15th Avenue
Max Sow has come a long way both figuratively and literally on his path to fulfilling his vision of opening a restaurant. Sow, the owner of the soon-to-open Columbia Eats Bar & Grill in Longview, came to the U.S. from China in 1988 with the directive from his mom to “go to college in America.” Columbia Eats Bar & Grill is located in the former location of Los Pepe’s at 933 15th Ave. and Sow said he is shooting to open the business in the upcoming weeks.
Columbia Eats exterior
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West End Cafe: From Hobby to Career For Chef Luis Rey
West End Cafe: From Hobby to Career For Chef Luis Rey Chef Luis Rey, the chef/owner of West End Cafe in Carle Place, thought he would be helping people to talk through their problems. But instead, he’s been helping diners solve the age-old problem of what’s for dinner for the last 25 years. “For me, getting into the restaurant business was really a fluke,” says “ChefLou” Rey, 50, who grew up in Malverne.
Angelo’s of Little Italy: Italian Eatery Redux in Amityville
Tina Aprea’s journey as owner of Angelo’s Little Italy in Amityville has been 53years in the making, since her dad took over the iconic Italian New York City eatery Angelo’s of Mulberry Street in 1970. “I’ve always loved the restaurant business,” Aprea recalls. “It was always in my blood.” The story of Angelo’s could have ended for good in 2017, when Aprea’s dad Giovanni Aprea died and the Little Italy landmark closed.
North Fork Doughnut Company Opens Third Location In Massapequa Park
With little more than a shoestring budget and a creative vision, North Fork Doughnut Company owner and founder James Lyons opened his first location in Mattituck in 2018 to rave reviews, with lines out the door and customers willing to wait more than three hours at a time for the company’s specialty yeast doughnuts. “Back in 2015, I was working in the craft beer industry for a brewery based in California called Lagunitas (a subsidiary of Heineken International),” recalls Lyons.
Talking Business: Family opens bakery in Longview
If anyone in Melissa Turpin's family deserves credit for bringing Mellies bakery to Longview, it very well might be her 18-year-old son, Connor. "My son Connor said that he really missed working in a family business together with me," said Turpin. But there are also other reasons Mellies Bakery opened on Oregon Way in May. Turpin admits she "has terrible ADHD" and just needs to be doing something.
Mission Belize-able: Longview woman leads missions to Belize
In the case of Longview resident Monica Seidl, the phrase "not all heroes wear capes," rings surprisingly true. The longtime bank manager and loan officer for Umpqua Bank in Clatskanie recently left the office to follow her heart abroad and help those in need through her project mission, Belize Blessings.
Tocolo Cantina: Making Waves On The Glen Cove Waterfront!
It’s been nearly a decade since Lloyd Rosenman, the owner of Mexican eatery Tocolo Cantina in Garden City and now Glen Cove, traded his career in business and finance for the restaurant industry. And, while Rosenman admits that trading for First New York Securities was indeed financially rewarding, it wasn’t his passion in life.
DJ Chef: Spinning Beats And Cooking Treats!
For more than 20 years, Marc Weiss, better known as DJ Chef — “The Chef That Rocks” — has developed a simple business recipe: “spinning the beats while cookin’ the treats.” He continues to successfully merge his two passions — cooking and deejaying — into a unique brand of hybrid entertainer who simultaneously cooks and DJs for special events on Long Island and far beyond.
Sunset Club: Bringing Hamptons Vibes in Sea Cliff
Situated at picturesque Tappen Beach in Sea Cliff, the recently opened Sunset Club is equal parts Hampton’s summer vibes, top-quality fresh seafood, and creative cocktails, all brought together by third-generation restaurateur Rustan Lundstrum. Making Sunset Club look like the Hamptons “We renovated the venue to look like it’s in the Hamptons,” Lundstrum, 41, says of the town beach concession, formerly known as Beach Bar Grill at Blu Iguana. “We scrambled to get it open.
Cold Case No Longer: After 13 Years, A Suspect Is Arrested In Gilgo Beach Homicides On Long Island - Zenger News
NEW YORK — More than 13 years since police recovered 11 sets of human remains of mostly young women on the South Shore of Long Island, a multi-agency task force arrested Rex Heuermann, 59, an architect from Massapequa Park on Long Island with the murders of Melissa Barthelemy, 24; Amber Lynn Costello, 27; and Megan Waterman, 22.
Jon Luc Monteforte, Executive Chef at Sandbar, Focuses on ‘The Restaurant Experience’
“If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.” It’s an inspirational quote generally reserved for those who have created their ideal path or lifestyle. For Jon Luc Monteforte, who took over as executive chef at Sandbar in March, cooking is truly something he’s come to love. “This is amazing, the adrenaline and the teamwork,” Monteforte recalls saying after his very first shift working at The View Grill on the Glen Cove Golf Course in 2015.
Rozu Brings a Unique Twist on Traditional Japanese Cuisine to Rockville Centre
Rozu Brings a Unique Twist on Traditional Japanese Cuisine to Rockville Centre Lee Hernandez, the seasoned chef/partner at the recently opened sushi/omakase spot Rozu in Rockville Centre, took an unusual route into the restaurant industry, almost as if by accident. At first, Hernandez thought he would be working in either medicine or law. But there were signs early on. “I always loved cooking.
ITA Kitchen to Open Third Restaurant Location in East Moriches
ITA Kitchen to Open Third Restaurant Location in East Moriches ITA Kitchen’s founders Salvatore and Christina Sorrentino likely couldn’t have predicted they would be in a position to open a third location just a few years after the restaurant’s Bay Shore venue opened in 2019. But that’s exactly the case as the husband-and-wife management team readies to open their modern Italian ITA Kitchen on the water in East Moriches on the site of the former Coral Tapas and Wine Bar on Atlantic Avenue.
Mirabelle at Three Village Inn Moves Into a New Era
Mirabelle at Three Village Inn Moves Into a New Era Fernando Machado would agree that he has some big shoes to fill as the new executive chef for Mirabelle at Three Village Inn, following the retirement last July of acclaimed chef Guy Reuge, who founded the restaurant with his wife Maria in 1983. But Machado, who has worked alongside Reuge since 2009 as chef de cuisine, believes he’s up to the lofty task of maintaining Mirabelle’s high standards.
Flikshop app teaches tech entrepreneurship, helps incarcerated people stay in touch with loved ones
By Alan J. Krawitz NEW YORK — Marcus Bullock made a mistake that could have cost him his future and sent him to prison for life at just 15. But, while he would end up going to prison for eight years for his involvement in an armed carjacking, his time incarcerated would change the trajectory of his life and many others.
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