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New York Congressional District #3

District Success Story:
Backyard Brine

Backyard Brine

The Backyard Brine Pickle Company is an artisan pickle company run by Randy and Cori Kopke. Their pickles are hand packed in small batches with fresh, all natural and local ingredients, some right from their own backyard garden. In July 2013, the Kopkes visited the SBDC seeking information on forming their business. They were making pickles at home and selling them at farmers markets and to friends and family. They had a clever way to market their products such as making wedding favors with their “Dill do us part” pickles. They wanted to investigate options for the business and to see if they could make enough money to support the family. Advisor Ann Garbarino provided information about a range of business issues, including how to apply to be a tenant at the Stony Brook Calverton Incubator. The Backyard Brine Pickle Company started processing its products at the Incubator’s Open Kitchen in January 2014.  The Kopkes invested $500 in canning classes, supplies and making product. They hosted their first “Spears and Beers” tasting event at a local craft beer pub.  The turnout was incredible and they continue to host similar events at different locations throughout the year. Backyard Brine products are always in demand at the east end Long Island vineyards and breweries.  The company sells pickles at its website and in 35 retail locations and counting. They also sell products at 6 farmers markets in the summer and two in the winter. In addition, the Kopkes have commercial accounts with 12 restaurants that carry their pickles on the menu, and plan to sell their pickles from coast to coast.

New York Congressional District 3 includes most of the North Shore of Long Island.

U.S. Congressman Steve Israel currently represents this federal district.

SBDC Centers Serving Congressional District 3:

Farmingdale
 
Small Business Development Center
SUNY @ Farmingdale
Campus Commons
2350 Broadhollow Road
Farmingdale, NY  11735-1006
Tel: (631) 420-2765

Stony Brook
 
Small Business Development Center
Stony Brook University
Research & Development Park
Stony Brook Road, Building 17
Stony Brook, NY  11794-6016
Tel:  (631) 632-9070
 
Queens—LaGuardia
 
LaGuardia Community College
30-20 Thomson Avenue,  B Bldg,  Suite BA02
Long Island City, NY 11101-2940
Tel: (718) 482-5303
 
Queens—York
 
Small Business Development Center
York College
The City University of New York
94-50 159th Street, Room 107
Jamaica, NY  11451-9902
Tel: (718) 262-2880

SBDC Impact in Congressional District 3:

Program Inception (1984) - 2015
Small Business Consulting Clients: 10,652
Total Funding: $243,862,580
Jobs Created: 3,539
Jobs Saved: 2,125
Counseling Hours: 106,963

map

Each dot = one client

Statewide Economic Impact