A monumental shift is coming to the local culinary landscape as a historic fixture prepares to transition into a new era. After serving the community for 115 years, the family behind the legendary Eckart’s Luncheonette at 162 Mill Road officially closed its doors in mid-February, drawing a celebrated multi-generational run to a close.
While the closure marks a bittersweet milestone, a local investment group, including former Westhampton Beach Village Trustee Brian Tymann, purchased the building with an explicit commitment to safeguarding its architectural integrity. Rather than demolishing the structure, the new ownership group is maintaining the classic footprint, keeping renovations focused on updating infrastructure while preserving the essence of the historic space.
The new commercial operators carrying this legacy forward are Will and Johanna Pendergast, the duo behind the popular Little Gull cafe in Speonk. This summer, they will debut a new dining concept in the space called Galley. The Pendergasts plan to honor the building’s history by featuring a few “Eckart’s throwbacks” on the menu and continuing breakfast service. However, the core identity of Galley will shift toward a New England-style seafood shack vibe, offering unique regional specialties like full belly fried clams. The 70-seat restaurant will be family-friendly while still functioning as a date-night destination, featuring live music and a lively bar scene at the historic former egg cream counter.
Will Pendergast, a graduate of the French Culinary Institute, honed his skills in prominent New York City kitchens like ABC Kitchen and The Breslin before moving to the East End. While Little Gull will remain open under their seasoned crew, Galley represents a larger, more ambitious dinner-focused challenge.
Originally opened in 1911 by Jacob Eckart, the business evolved through four consecutive generations of the family, retaining iconic design elements like the original stamped tin ceiling, retro counter stools, classic dining booths, and a historic wooden phone booth. Renovations are currently underway at the Mill Road location. Though the infrastructure updates have proven slightly more involved than expected, the team is actively working toward a grand opening target of late June or early July, ensuring these century-old walls will continue to host local families for decades to come.
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