March 27, 1990 Fire guts the vacant former Nesconset General Store and Post Office on the south side of Smithtown Blvd, just east of Lake Avenue. Fire Reported at 2057 hours. FD arrives to heavy fire showing. Bldg had been vacant for a few years. The general store had closed approximately 15 years prior to the fire. There had also been a locksmith shop in the bldg, but that had been vacated years ago. At one point, part of the building was used as the Nesconset Post Office. OIC and Chief of Department was James Goelz. St. James and Ronkonkoma FD came to the scene. Smithtown covered the district.
The fire was brought under control in 45 minutes but crews worked for 3 ½ hours to open the walls and ceilings to extinguish the hot spots.
At the time of the fire, the building is owned by Camille Coffey and dates back to the late 1800s. The building was dedicated in 1909 by then Mayor William Gaynor, as the first post office. At that time, post master Whittaker was delivering mail by horse and buggy. Local residents recall that this building served as the only general store in the area for years. Mrs. Coffey, a retired teacher, purchased the building in 1977 and attempted to keep it going. Unfortunately the venture failed and the store closed.
Photo in 4/5/1990 Smithtown News
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