Business Wrap Up: Hepatitis Scare At Southampton Eatery

Here’s a look at some of the top business stories in your nearby communities this week.

Southampton

A server at the Driver's Seat in Southampton was recently diagnosed with Hepatitis A, possibly exposing patrons to the virus and prompting a health department investigation, the county said on Thursday afternoon.

The Suffolk County Department of Health Services said preventive treatment — a free Hepatitis A vaccine or immune globulin — for the virus is available, for free, to anyone who dined at the Jobs Lane restaurant between Aug. 16 and 20.

The treatment can help to prevent or lessen the severity of the illness if it is given within two weeks of exposure. The virus may be spread by consuming food or drink that has been handled by an infected person, the health department said.

Westhampton-Hampton Bays

Francesca’s Undergoing Major Renovation

Since earlier this summer, pedestrians on Ponquogue Avenue have been diverting around a blocked section of the sidewalk, boarded up with scaffolding. Patrons of Francesca’s Pizza have been using the rear entrance for their daily fix of chicken parmigiana, garlic knots and margherita slices.

But so far nobody has complained.

North Fork

Who needs France when you've got the North Fork?

That might be the mantra of chef Taylor Knapp, who has launched Peconic Escargot, a "spanking new farm and start-up company" in Cutchogue.