Yes, it's true. The question that has been on the tongue of all Glen Cove residents at one time or another has finally been answered...the question that has often been phrased as a complaint. "You can't buy a pair of underwear anywhere in Glen Cove." The lack of socks ofttimes complemented the criticism.

But thanks to Lloyd and Janet Kielbasa, at Benny's of Glen Cove, a new clothing store at 149 Glen Street named for the couple's son, an abundant array of women's undergarments in an assortment of styles and materials can be purchased without going south of Northern Boulevard.

However, before a customer reaches the women's department, tucked neatly by the children's department, he or she passes through a far more extensive and diverse men's department. Shirts, slacks and jackets overshadow the undergarments.

"It was all Janet's idea," smiled Lloyd at the grand opening. The couple started out with a plan to open a small shop, selling, well, socks and underwear. That morphed into a men's shop, and the plan now stands ready to continue expansion. Janet said she hopes to get input from customers as to what type of women's clothing would be most appreciated in the store.

Janet' s family has lived in Glen Cove since the 1920s. The mom and pop (and Benny) shop she and Lloyd have opened harkens back to her childhood. "It's nice to be part of bringing back what Glen Cove used to be," she said.

Benny's is located in the upper section of the Coles House, a Glen Cove landmark built in 1810 by J.H. Coles. The building most recently housed the Coles House Restaurant. While Lloyd and Janet were looking for a space, they were also spending time with good friends Peter and Liz Holden, owners of GLY Books and Gifts on School Street. The Holdens were looking to purchase the historic Coles House, and he and Lloyd came to an agreement. The building was purchased and the two men set out to redesign the interior and paint the outside. "Peter and I did 90 percent of the construction," said Lloyd. And in just seven weeks, the empty house came to life.

Peter said he and Liz are working toward opening a pancake house and bakery on the main floor of the Coles House, with organic and otherwise healthful foods. Plans include a possible December opening. At the grand opening, Mayor Ralph V. Suozzi praised the Holdens for their continued support of and investment in the community.

The four business owners took great pride in the fact that their businesses, in addition to serving the community at large, also serve local individuals. All employees are local people; many of Benny's crew had worked at Swezey's and had jumped at the opportunity to be back in retail in their hometown. The pancake house promises the same, with aprons.

Many city officials attended the grand opening, a great number of them male. As the group readied to leave the store for the ribbon-cutting, one of the few women present quipped, "Look, we're waiting for the men to finish shopping." Mayor Suozzi picked out a comfortable and casual shirt, tried it on, took off the tags, paid with his debit card, and wore the shirt for the grand opening photo.