Around Town Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
15
Thursday, June 4, 2026
Kings Park Welcomes Ghost Town Coffee By Madison Warren A new coffee shop has arrived in downtown Kings Park. After a long journey to bring their vision to life, Ghost Town Coffee has officially opened its doors and is ready to welcome the community with a variety of specialty coffees, refreshing smoothies, and freshly baked pastries. Located at 23 Indian Head Road in Kings Park, the café is owned by Chloe Rain McGeehan, who said the years-long journey to open Credit - Ghost Town Coffee
Ghost Town Coffee has been worth every second. McGeehan developed a passion for the coffee industry while working at a coffee shop in her younger years. Although she later earned a degree in marketing and built a successful career, the dream of owning a café never left her mind. During the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic, she began seriously exploring the possibility of turning that dream into reality. After years of planning, perseverance, and hard work, Ghost Town Coffee has officially opened its doors to the community. As a Kings Park native, McGeehan always envisioned opening her café in the community where she grew up. When she first discovered the Indian Head Road location, however, the timing was not right, and the space appeared to be destined for another business. A few months later, circumstances changed, and the opportunity reopened. Everything finally fell into place, allowing McGeehan to secure the location and begin bringing her vision of Ghost Town Coffee to life. Naturally, McGeehan hit some bumps in the road along the way, but she was still navigating and learning, with one goal in mind, and the finished product has been more than she could have wished for. She described the café to The Messenger as having a “coastal Western” vibe, with much of the décor sourced from thrifted finds and personal family vacation photographs that help create a warm, inviting atmosphere. McGeehan put considerable thought into every aspect of the brand, drawing on her marketing background to carefully craft the café’s aesthetic and tone she had long envisioned. Since opening, McGeehan said the support from the Kings Park community has been nothing short of incredible. She admitted to feeling a bit nervous before opening her doors, having spent some time living out East and unsure of how residents would respond to her return. However, the warm welcome she has received has far exceeded her expectations. In fact, just days after opening, Ghost Town Coffee sold out of both its scheduled inventory order and an emergency restock run, forcing the café to close temporarily to replenish supplies. For McGeehan, the overwhelming response confirmed that Kings Park was the perfect place to bring her dream to life. A strong sense of community has been a priority for Ghost Town Coffee from the very beginning. McGeehan has made a conscious effort to partner with other local businesses, helping create connections throughout Kings Park. The café serves fresh-baked
cookies from Micro Bakery L.I. and sources many of its plants and greenery from Provenzano’s Garden Center to enhance the space. During its opening days, Ghost Town Coffee also teamed up with SK Odds & Ends Thrift Shop for a special promotion: customers who brought their café receipt to the thrift store received a discount on their purchase, further encouraging residents to support fellow local businesses. McGeehan noted that her mother frequently steps in to lend a hand at the café and said she is thankful to have her family by her side throughout the journey. Looking ahead, she is excited to continue serving the Kings Park community and sharing her specialty coffee creations, including the Banana Pancakes Latte, which she describes as a must-try menu item. As Ghost Town Coffee settles into its new home in Kings Park, McGeehan is looking forward to continuing to grow alongside the community that has embraced the café from day one. With its unique atmosphere, locally sourced offerings, and commitment to supporting fellow small businesses, Ghost Town Coffee is already making its mark on Main Street. To learn more, view the menu or stay updated on hours and specials by following the café on Instagram at @ ghosttowncoffeeco.
Hauppauge Man Reunites with Life-Saving Good Samaritans By Madison Warren Credit - Madison Warren
This week marks National Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Awareness Week, and Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches), along with local legislators, is helping spread an important lifesaving message. In a special gathering at the H. Lee Dennison Building, they brought together Hauppauge resident Tommy Norchi with the first responders and individuals who helped save his life after he suffered a heart attack earlier this year during a public meeting. Carol Cherwinski, Brian Mahon, Shawn Viniotis, and two members of Executive Romaine’s staff, Mike Martino and Brian Monahan, were honored for their heroic actions and quick thinking during the emergency. Their immediate response helped save Tommy Norchi’s life, ensuring that the 69-year-old would have many more years to spend with his family and loved ones. The heart attack happened at a public meeting, as residents were giving input on the Stump Pond Dam at the Blydenburgh County Park. Norchi delivered a powerful, impactful speech about how he wanted the dam fixed. He said afterward he suddenly felt a surge of energy throughout his body before collapsing. He later learned that six individuals from different backgrounds and walks of life immediately sprang into action, performing CPR and using an AED to restore his heartbeat. Although Norchi has no memory of the event itself, he recalled waking up to the smiling face of one of the first responders, Shawn Viniotis, who jokingly welcomed him back “for the third time.” Norchi was transported to the hospital, where he made a remarkable recovery and was discharged just two days later. “Angels walk amongst us every day; we just don’t see them
until they’re called upon,” he said. “To my angels, you know how much you mean to me and how much I love you. Words can never express my gratitude, and I am forever grateful to call you my angels.” Romaine praised the quick actions of the Good Samaritans who stepped in to save Tommy Norchi’s life, emphasizing that their knowledge of CPR and AED use made the difference between life and death. He thanked those involved for their heroic efforts and expressed gratitude that Norchi not only survived the medical emergency but also made a strong recovery. Romaine noted that many people who suffer similar cardiac events are not as fortunate. Romaine said the gathering served two important purposes: to recognize and thank the individuals who saved Norchi’s life and to raise awareness about the importance of
CPR and AED training. He stressed that knowing how to respond during a medical emergency can save lives and encouraged residents to learn these lifesaving skills. Commissioner Sunderman noted that Suffolk County has more than 2,000 publicly accessible AEDs located throughout the county and that emergency dispatchers are trained to provide CPR instructions over the phone while first responders are en route. Suffolk Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services (FRES) received approximately 10,000 heart-related emergency calls in 2025, including about 2,000 cardiac arrest cases. To improve survival rates, Suffolk County continues to invest in CPR education for residents. According to Sunderman, 6,000 people were trained in CPR throughout 2025, and another 2,500 have already received training in 2026. Residents can contact their local fire department, EMS agency, or Suffolk FRES to learn these lifesaving skills. Legislator Thorne stressed the importance of the “Chain of Survival,” which includes early recognition of a medical emergency, calling 911, rapid CPR, prompt AED use, and continued medical care. He noted that the county has expanded access to lifesaving resources through initiatives such as placing AEDs in houses of worship and promoting the PulsePoint app, which can notify trained users of nearby cardiac emergencies and direct them to the closest AED. For Tommy Norchi, CPR and AED awareness is more than a public health message, it is the reason he is alive today. Officials hope his story will encourage more residents be prepared to help in an emergency, because one person’s quick action can mean another person’s second chance.