Top 10 Business News of 2012

In 2012, several longtime businesses, like Bucket's and Ronnie's Deli closed up shop, while we also gained several new businesses, such as Hampton Seafood Market. Stores, shops, and restaurants in East Hampton Village had to get used to the new plastic bag ban. And, let's not forget the huge effort to "Bring Barry Back." Let's take a look back at the year in business news:

• Businesses Ready for 'Boost' from Red Horse Market

As soon as signs popped up in January announcing the impending arrival of Red Horse Market in the Red Horse Plaza in East Hampton Village, there was a buzz about the expected benefits from the new business. The complex seemed to suffer a bit since Tutto Italiano closed in September 2010 and the space was vacant ever since. Red Horse Market, which married three businesses — Tim's Prime Meats & Seafood, Pasquale's Homemade deli and pizzeria, and a bakery headed by William Bertha, a Master Patissier — opened in late spring.

• Plastic Bag Ban Starts Wednesday

In February, a plastic bag ban went into effect in East Hampton Village, the second municipality on Long Island to approve the green initiative. The new law passed in July 2011 makes it illegal for single-use, non-biodegradable bags plastic shopping and take-out bags, like the ones most often seen at grocery stores, to be given to customers at village stores, markets, and pharmacies.

• Bucket's Serves Up Its Last Egg Sandwich

Everett Griffiths, and his wife Angela, closed Bucket's Deli, one of the last mom and pop's in East Hampton Village, after 33 years in February. They are retiring, hanging up their aprons on their own terms. "I wanted to go out while I'm on top," he said, plus, "I'm tired and I don't want to get up at quarter to 4 in the morning anymore." Mary's Marvelous' second location replaced Bucket's later this year.

• Montauk Woman Named Top Hotel Worker in NY

Montauk's own Virginia (Ginny) Davis was honored on Monday night as New York State Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year for 2012. Davis, who works as the conference and banquet administrator at , was also nominated for a national award, given by the American Hotel & Lodging Association in Washington, D.C.

• Petition to Keep 'Outdoors' in Amagansett

After Barry Adelman, who has owned the retail clothing, sporting goods and accessories store for 15 years, said he lost his lease for the space at 171 Main St., he started a petition in April to show the support of his customers. He collected more than 400 signatures and promised, "We will stay come hell or high water through the summer." The landlords took him to court, as part of an eviction process, and they settled on an agreement for him to stay through February 2012. Adelman recently announced that he's moving to East Hampton Village.

• 24-Karat Gold Collagen Treatments Arrive in the Hamptons

A new salon that opened in East Hampton this week offers some high-end services unique to even the South Fork, such as the 24-karat gold collagen services, a chocolate body wrap and wine body wrap.

• Customers Package Complaints to FedEx After Beloved Driver Canned

Barry Gilliam quietly delivered his last FedEx package in East Hampton in October — the day his contract terminated.

It didn't take long for customers to notice Gilliam and his big smile weren't around. Immediately, there was an outpouring of support from the East Hampton community and a growing effort to get him reinstated. He returned to his route in late November.

• Ronnie's Deli Closes After 50 Years

Ronnie's Grocery & Deli, which has been around for 50 years, closed for good in October. A note to customers in the window says it closed because its lease was not renewed.

• 'Queen of 114' Leaves After 30 Years

From her post at Harbor Heights gas station for the past 29 years, Pamela Kern has been one of Sag Harbor's fixtures. Earlier in December, Kern left her job at the Route 114 gas station, after a disagreement with her boss. Word spread quickly through the small village, and, by Monday, her friends began to rally around her. A Facebook page, "Friends of Pamela Kern," launched to show "the Queen of 114" how much she's meant to them.

• Pet Hampton To Close After 22 Years

Pet Hampton & Aquarium, which has been located in Wainscott for 22 years, is closing its doors. The owner, Erika Hegyesi, was emotional just hours after the closing signs went up in front of her Montauk Highway store. She said she had to shutter her business, for several reasons. Her lease was not renewed and she was having difficulty making her $8,000 a month rent for the approximately 5,000-square-foot space. The down economy impacted sales over the past few years, she said, adding that many customers turned to chain stores and online stores for their pets' needs. "I can't survive on crickets and fish," she said.

What else do you remember about business related news in 2012?