Businesses to Rally on the River this Saturday

Longtime Riverhead bar manager David Lotito has just launched a new business, but in his explorations of business networking groups, he’s become fed up with having to pay to join groups to talk to people about his business.

So, instead, he’s formed his own group, the East End Small Business Alliance, which will hold an expo under a tent in the downtown Riverhead parking lot along the Peconic River this Saturday.

Mr. Lotito told the Riverhead Town Board at a work session July 17 that the new association’s motto is “your time costs money. Your business networking group should not.”

Saturday’s session will be held from noon to 10 p.m., with two musicians performing and an opportunity for business owners to network under the big tent. The Riverhead Farmers Market will also be open in the parking lot from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., giving farmers market businesses and attendees “a chance to cross-network.” Mr. Lotito said the group already has 122 members.

“We already have a dozen commitments from small and large businesses,” Mr. Lotito told the town board. “This is not a beer fest or a food festival.”

Mr. Lotito recently launched his own business, One for the Road Event Services, which provides mobile bars for parties.

“I’m a Riverhead town resident. I believe in downtown,” he added. “I’m investigating making a significant investment in downtown Riverhead. The reason why i’m picking up the permit fees is I want to get this thing started. One for the Road Event Services is showcasing their stuff as well. I see Riverhead as the next Patchogue Village, the next Port Jefferson Village, the next Huntington Village.”