Business & Tech

Antiques Shop Sets Up in Vacant St. James Greenhouse

'Coming soon' signs and festival decorations bring new business to space vacant since 2011.

A vacant St. James greenhouse has promising signs of a new business after being empty for nearly three years. 

New signs announce The Greenhouse Antiques & Collectibles will be opening 'soon' to North Country Road in Saint James. The business's name is clearly drawn from the shape and design of the unique building. 

Festive seasonal decorations including a large black metal sled full of witches and turkeys sits along the front pathway into the building, which is blocked by a hand-painted sign reading "soon." 

The St. James greenhouse has been vacant since early 2011 when its prior tenant, a pool factory, closed up shop.

The space was on the rental market for a while as it was zoned for dry-retail use only, Realtor Eric Neitzel with St. James-based DeBarbieri Associates told Patch in Octover 2011meaning it could not be used to open a cafe, eatery or auto mechanic shop. 

To expand options for the property, the owner would have to file for a "change of use" with the Town of Smithtown, which is costly, requires a site plan and takes a long time. 

It is not known whether the new tenants have made any renovations to the building, as Neitzel told Patch it had some heating but not enough for the winter months. 


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