Riverhead’s Booming Commercial Growth Creates Unprecedented Moving Opportunities and Challenges for 2025
Long Island’s Riverhead is experiencing a transformative commercial expansion that’s reshaping the moving industry landscape. The mall’s operators have requested that the permitted uses at the outlet center be expanded, and last week Town Board members voiced support for Tanger, noting that it is Riverhead’s biggest tax revenue generator. This shift, combined with massive downtown revitalization projects, is creating both opportunities and challenges for residents and businesses requiring moving services.
Tanger Outlets Evolution Drives Market Changes
Long Island’s largest outlet center featuring over 165 manufacturer designer outlet stores is undergoing significant changes to adapt to modern retail challenges. “This is a national trend that’s going on because retail has taken a big hit with online shopping,” Supervisor Tim Hubbard said of the mall operator’s request. Riverhead Town is considering a zoning amendment that would greatly expand the types of businesses that could be located at Tanger Outlets and properties surrounding it, including allowing general retail stores, specialty markets, restaurants, furniture showrooms and certain indoor and outdoor recreation.
These expansions are creating new business opportunities but also increasing demand for specialized moving services. Restaurants for the first time are now a permitted use. The restaurant can be stand alone or part of a retail center. Fast and Casual or Full Service, the choice is yours. This diversification is attracting new businesses to the area, each requiring professional moving and setup services.
Downtown Revitalization Creates Moving Surge
Riverhead’s ambitious downtown transformation is generating substantial moving activity. Heritage on Main — a 165-unit, five-story mixed-use development situated between the East End Arts property and Riverview Lofts apartments — has commenced construction in downtown Riverhead. The Riverhead town square project took a giant leap forward on Tuesday, as the Town Board authorized an agreement with its master developer — an affiliate of the J. Petrocelli companies — to build a hotel, public plaza and playground downtown.
These eight new projects complement improvements already being made in this burgeoning town by enhancing walkability and connectivity between the downtown and the riverfront, building multi-generational public gathering places and constructing new mixed-use developments to increase housing and business opportunities, all making Riverhead an ideal place to live, work and visit.
Moving Challenges in a Growing Market
The rapid development is creating unique challenges for moving companies and their clients. “It’s the cost of construction loans now and the cost of insurance and what have you — it’s ridiculous,” Lassandro, who is also the president of the Riverhead Chamber of Commerce, said. “So it makes it very difficult for developers.” These economic pressures are affecting the entire commercial ecosystem, including moving services.
The construction boom is also creating logistical challenges. HK Ventures’ 412,679-square-foot commercial/industrial complex on Route 25 in Calverton, called by planning officials one of the largest industrial developments ever proposed in the Town of Riverhead represents the scale of development requiring specialized moving services for equipment, fixtures, and businesses.
Professional Moving Solutions for Commercial Growth
For businesses navigating Riverhead’s commercial expansion, professional Moving Companies Riverhead services are becoming essential. Avatar Relocation, a high-quality full service specialized relocation, transportation, logistics and warehouse storage service provider located on Long Island, New York. Avatar Relocation transports and stores shipments of high-value medical equipment, electronics, household goods, artwork, antiques, store fixtures, office furniture and exhibits and displays.
Over the past 24 years, Avatar Relocation of NY Inc. has earned 54 Atlas Van Lines quality awards, including the coveted Atlas Van Lines World-Class Commitment Quality Focus Award. This track record of excellence positions them well to handle the complex moving requirements emerging from Riverhead’s commercial transformation.
Opportunities in Specialized Services
The evolving commercial landscape is creating demand for specialized moving services. Avatar Relocation is a high-quality, award-winning, high-rated mover of store fixtures, trade shows, exhibits, displays & and shipments on tour. Product rollouts and store openings demand superb responsiveness, so Avatar emphasizes efficiency and on-time sensitivity.
With Tanger’s expansion into new business categories and downtown’s mixed-use developments, businesses need movers who understand the complexities of commercial relocations. Because you are served by a single Avatar logistics coordinator, you get consistent and reliable communication with the same friendly, conscientious, and professional customer service representative from start to finish.
Future Outlook for Moving Services
As Riverhead continues its transformation, the demand for professional moving services will likely intensify. After six months of preparation, design and funding efforts, Riverhead town officials anticipate an official groundbreaking for the long-awaited Town Square project this summer. The goal is to complete site plans and received SEQRA approvals and all needed permits for the hotel, Town Square and playground by May 2025.
The convergence of outlet mall expansion, downtown revitalization, and new industrial developments creates a unique environment where experienced moving companies can thrive by providing specialized services. For businesses and residents in Riverhead, partnering with established, award-winning movers like Avatar Relocation ensures smooth transitions during this period of unprecedented growth.
As Riverhead evolves into a more diverse commercial hub, the moving industry must adapt to serve everything from retail fixtures and restaurant equipment to high-tech medical devices and residential relocations. The companies that succeed will be those that combine local expertise with comprehensive service offerings, positioning themselves as essential partners in Riverhead’s continued transformation.