9 Biggest Hauppauge Business Stories of 2012

In Hauppauge, businesses and residential homes are side by side - often raising heated issues between business owners and local homeowners. This caused tempers to flare several times in 2012 over Insignia Steakhouse's parking, a proposed Sonic and more.

We're counting down the 11 biggest business stories of 2012 in Hauppauge:

* : Hooters in Islandia will be closing to give birth to a new restaurant. Edward McCabe, an attorney for Strix Restaurant Group, which owns the franchise rights to Hooters locations on Long Island and Queens, said he will be closing the East Meadow location and there that there will be changes made to the other Hooters locations - including Islandia.

* Silk Prepares for Return to Its Wall Street Roots: The big secret of what's happening at Silk is out as the night club prepares to return to its Wall Street roots.

* Sears Hardware Begins Liquidation Sales: Hauppauge residents spotted large yellow-and-red blowout sale signs posted on the front doors Sears Hardware off Veterans Memorial Highway this week, the first sign of what's to come. Sears Hardware in Hauppauge will be closing by mid-May.

* Route 347 Construction Chews Up Diner Business: As Route 347 construction continues to linger in the Hauppauge area, the Hauppauge Palace Diner has seen the work zone wreak havoc with its business, according to managers and die-hard customers.

* Nesconset Residents Outraged Over Sonic Proposal: Nesconset residents’ opposition to plans to bring a Sonic restaurant to the area quickly turned into outrage as residents felt their complaints fell on deaf ears at a June town board meeting. Smithtown has since rejected Sonic's proposed building in Nesconset.

* Residents: Insignia Parking Too Close for Comfort: Residents are calling on Smithtown officials to stop the region's new and posh Insignia Steakhouse from moving closer to their homes.

* Chase Bank Gets Approval to Build on Route 347: Smithtown Town Board voted unanimously to approve plans to build a new Chase Bank on the southwest corner of Terry Road and Route 347 at their Aug. 14 board meeting.

*LA Fitness Takes Over Bally Total Fitness in Lake Grove: Bally's Total Fitness in Lake Grove has undergone a change of management, although the process may have left some customers anxious.

* Sertino's Closing Final; Item Auction Set for Wednesday: The final efforts to bring in a partner and save Sertinos Cafe have fallen through and the West Main Street eatery is now closed.

The official closing date was Oct. 28.