The new day dawns as Schmidt's Country Market opens in state:

QUOGUE, NY — Hearts were heavy and many were outraged after the closing of Schmidt's Market in Southampton in October. But now, residents and longtime customers are rejoicing as plans for a new Schmidt's County Market are moving forward at a location in Quogue.

According to Dennis Schmidt, owner of the market on North Sea Road, his lease expired in September and then the building's owners decided to sell at a price that was “unaffordable”.

Despite his angst to close, now, a new day dawns as Schmidt's Country Market is set to reopen, with Schmidt's son and co-owner Daniel, who worked side-by-side with his father for years, at the helm.

The new business will be run by Daniel Schmidt, his wife, Karen, and their children Jo, Cameron and Lilli, he said.

“We're very excited,” he told Patch on Wednesday. “And it looks like everyone else is pretty excited too.”

For Schmidt, the journey is deeply personal. “This is me, going out on my own, my first shot.”

The new market will be located on the site of the former Quogue Country Market at 146 Jessup Avenue in Quogue.

Describing the journey that led to his new start, Schmidt said he received an email from Quogue Village Mayor Robert Treuhold about the space being available.

Shortly after the Southampton business closed, Smith said: “I didn't respond at first because I didn't know what I wanted. After a couple of weeks, I decided to reach out, go and see the place. At that point, I knew what I wanted to do — I just had to find the right spot.”

Although he had looked at potential spots in Eastport, Westhampton and Speonk, the Quogue location was already set up for Schmidt to “come in and do what I did, just making a few changes and then starting right away. “

After speaking with the owners of the building, negotiations began to lease the market. “And now, here we are,” Schmidt said.

The plan is to open its doors the first week of March, Schmidt said. The menu will feature a full roster of Schmidt's favorites, as well as an extensive salad bar, hot and cold food options, fresh produce, great music and a happy and helpful staff, he said.

The community received the news with an outpouring of support and joy, Schmidt said.

“The response has been crazy,” he said.

Schmidt grew up learning the business he loves from his father and uncle.

“Growing up, I was constantly around the family business. We would go with my dad to farms, with my uncle to the market, make deliveries, work at the register. The store was our second home,” he said. “I just loved and wanted so much to be involved in the family business.”

And while he cherished the years at Southampton, working side-by-side with his father, he longed to take the reins and strike out on his own.

“I always wanted to have my own business,” he said. “This happened at the right time. Some things close, some things open – new chapters, new doors. It just all came together.”

Saying goodbye to the Southampton store wasn't easy, he said. So many long time customers were heartbroken. even Southampton Village Mayor Jesse Warren wrote a letter to the property owners, begging them to let the Schmidts keep the lease.

The response, Schmidt said, “was so touching to my heart.”

“It was very hard to leave. But once we reopen, I can't wait to see everyone smiling, laughing, crying. At the time, I thought my life was over, everything was over. Now, here we are, 2 1/2 month later, and I'm back in action,” he said.

The happy ending is what many predicted would happen, Schmidt said. “Everybody said to me, when the store was closing, 'Don't worry. There is a plan. Something good will come out of this,” he said, his voice cracking with emotion. “These are happy tears.”

Schmidt is excited to start the new chapter with his wife and children – his family lives in Hampton Bays and his goal is to give back to the community, including the school.

“Anything I can do with donations, supporting Little League, community events. We're here to give everybody a dynamite place to go and shop at a reasonable price where people don't feel taken advantage of,” he said. “We want to keep prices down.”

Looking ahead, Schmidt said, “I can't wait to see people when we open. I can't wait.”