Call it an early Christmas gift.
GiGi’s Playhouse LI in Patchogue, the not-for-profit offering free services to individuals with Down syndrome, signed a contract for sale for its new home, last week. They’ll be moving into the old Bayport-Blue Point Library on Blue Point Avenue next year.
The Blue Point space offers 13,000 square feet on the main floor, with a 4,000-square-foot basement. The current Austin Street facility in Patchogue, with 3,300 square feet, outgrew the nonprofit’s needs since its opening in March 2021.
“The sale price was $1,440,000,” said BBP Library director Mike Firestone. “The net proceeds will be put into an account to offset debt service. We have to recoup funds due to the maintenance of the building.”
Businessman Dennis Forman, who owns Mr. D’s Ultimate Fitness in Patchogue, Mr. D’s Self Storage in Bohemia, and Mr. D’s Moving and Storage in Ronkonkoma, is financing the purchase as a loan to GiGi’s.
GiGi’s Playhouse LI board president Mike Cirigliano pointed to two grants the not-for-profit received last year: a $1 million Suffolk County Jump Smart grant geared towards career development, and a $1 million Economic Development Initiative Community Project federal grant from congressman Andrew Garbarino.
“Those grants would support buying the building and support the programs,” Cirigliano said. “Now we have to go through the process before the reimbursement.
“The layout is what we needed. In 2021, we had 53 families participating. In 2024, we have 338 families actively participating.”
Forman is an enthusiastic supporter not only of GiGi’s, but also other local not-for-profits. (He was modest about naming them.)
“It’s like walking into a cathedral,” he said, admiring the new space.
Forman said he was looking for a building in Patchogue for GiGi’s and had even queried Patchogue mayor Paul Pontieri for suggestions, he said. Then, the Blue Point space became a possibility. “We even have a soundproof room for a quiet space and a music room,” he said.
“The biggest addition is a gym for GiGi Fitness,” said Cirigliano. He added that Forman will be their honoree at Land’s End on Feb. 21.
GiGi’s new executive director, Emily Ginas, weighed in. “We want to expand our programs and participation,” Ginas said. “A lot of them come to GiGi Fit, Karaoke Nights, and other programs.”
“All other programs for children with Down syndrome age out at 18,” Cirigliano pointed out. “We don’t.”
Karen Drago, former executive director, has moved to operational support, Cirigliano said. “Karen will help with administrative events to free up Emily,” he added of their organizational change.
Firestone said there were about six to 10 people who expressed serious interest. “We had a contract for about a year with one group who pulled out,” he said. “There was no clear title; we got that in 2024, and the interest rates were changing.”
As for the closing, “it will happen hopefully in January,” he said.
Cirigliano said right now, they were getting architects for the Board of Health and environmental inspections. “Our lease expires March 20,” he said. “It gives us two months to utilize both locations.”
Cirigliano said Brookhaven councilman and deputy supervisor Neil Foley got a team of people together to meet with them. “The biggest hurdle we would have had would have been a zoning change, but we didn’t need one,” he said.
BBP Library board president Ron Devine pointed out that GiGi’s addition to Blue Point “will be an asset to our community in the tradition of our library,” he said.
“It’s the perfect fit,” Foley echoed, who witnessed the library’s move. “And it’s the last piece of a fantastic story.”
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