PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Welcome to Manhasset!

President’s Letter 2026

The Manhasset Chamber of Commerce would like to extend its sincere thanks to our members, local businesses, and residents. Thanks to the generous support we receive through donations, dues, and sponsorships for our many events throughout the year, we are able to help local businesses thrive while creating fun, family-friendly events for our community and surrounding areas. As a result, we continue to keep our business district vibrant, welcoming new stores that help make Manhasset the very best it can be.

Since 2020, former President Matthew Donno and I have shared a goal of creating engaging events that strengthen the relationship between our businesses and the community. What began during the pandemic has now evolved into beloved annual traditions such as Manhasset Al Fresco, Trick or Treating on Plandome Road, and Merry Manhasset—events that have created meaningful social connections and rewarding experiences for our community. In 2025, we proudly celebrated our five-year milestone. With an incredible board of dedicated volunteers and new officers joining us this year, we are excited to introduce fresh ideas and events that will keep our momentum strong and continue lifting up local businesses in our town. Join us on Earth Day for our annual sidewalk sweep and Plandome Road community clean-up—all are welcome!

We are deeply grateful for the ongoing support of the Town of North Hempstead and its staff—from leadership to the Highway and Parks Departments—for their tireless efforts on beautification projects, sewer initiatives, and community events. We also thank the Manhasset–Lakeville Fire Department and the Nassau County Police Department for their continued partnership and support.

In 2023, we launched our newly revamped website, streamlining both membership and beautification dues with convenient online payment options. We encourage you to explore the site, meet our Board, and learn more about the rich history of Manhasset and its great villages. Most importantly, if you enjoy the flowers in the spring and summer or the light pole decorations in the fall and winter, please consider donating to our Beautification Fund. Every effort to enhance the appearance of our town is made possible entirely through the generosity of our businesses and residents. Together, we can keep Manhasset a beautiful place to live.

On another note, it is extremely important to promote your business for increased exposure. Please remember to utilize my social media platform, @ShopManhasset, which has become the Chamber’s sister site and was created to help connect local businesses with residents.

Last—but certainly not least—the Chamber is excited to announce that in 2025, businesses began connecting to the new sewer system installed on Plandome Road earlier in the year. This long-overdue project was originally initiated in 2014 by TJ Costello and CJ Coleman and later passed on to then–Vice President Matthew Donno. Upon becoming President in 2019, Matthew brought on Robbie Donno as the project’s point person, recognizing his extensive municipal experience as the former owner of Donno Company, a local waste removal business, and his deep familiarity with working alongside the Town of North Hempstead.

Working together with then–Assemblywoman Gina Sillitti, Robbie and Matthew successfully secured a $5 million state grant, which enabled the installation of the main sewer line. Supervisor Jennifer DeSena and the Town of North Hempstead Board subsequently committed an additional $3.1 million in ARPA funds to help offset costs and incentivize Plandome Road businesses to connect to the system. Thanks to this strong partnership—and with the expert guidance of the Great Neck Water Pollution Control District—this long-anticipated project became a reality.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Supervisor Jennifer DeSena and the Town of North Hempstead for their leadership, support, and commitment to completing this project efficiently and funding the remaining efforts. With ARPA, state, and town funding combined, we are thankful to see this project moving forward and look forward to the remaining Plandome Road shop owners connecting to the sewer line this year.

Our strong relationships with the Town of North Hempstead, Nassau County, the Manhasset Library, the Greater Council of Manhasset, and the Nassau Chamber of Commerce are vital to our continued success. These partnerships will shape the future of our community and help us move forward with confidence.

Manhasset is a diverse community with a highly educated population, many of whom commute to New York City. Our high school is among the top-ranked academically in New York State and boasts outstanding athletic achievements. The success of our residents—both young and old—inspires the Chamber to drive positive change. In 2026, our goal remains to continuously improve our town while strengthening the connections between residents, businesses, and the community as a whole.

We invite you to join us in supporting Manhasset.

Antonietta Manzi

President

Manhasset Chamber of Commerce