Little Oak Bistro & Bakery: A Hit in Conklin

 Little Oak Neighborhood Bistro and Bakery didn't have a grand opening or hype when it arrived in Conklin, but its owners say it's already been a hit since it opened in April. 

  Little Oak is a new business venture for co-owners Julianne Ludka and her daughter Maria Olsen, but its name and  history hark back to Binghamton's former restaurant, the Red Oak Restaurant. 

 Ludka, along with her partner Michael Kapogiannatos, who died in 2021, ran a popular restaurant that closed in 2020, and Olsen worked at the restaurant with her mother growing up. 

  Little Oak can be called the spiritual successor of Red Oak. 

 "It's more of a new-age restaurant than a homecoming restaurant," says Olsen.

 "That's how we survived" 

 After the closure of Red Oak and Kapogiannatos' After her death, 66-year-old Ludka could not imagine opening another restaurant. Then, over time, he changed his mind. 

 "When I see you sitting there empty, it's like a part of you is empty," Luke said. "I said to people, 'That's what I did with my sadness. 

 Olsen, 45, used to work at Columbian Financial Group and making the transition to working from home during the pandemic — while continuing to care for three children — has taken a toll.She decided to make a career change and partnered with a Broome County business incubator  to bring The Little Oak to life. 

 "We were both born from the ashes of COVID"; Ludka said, "We still survived." 

 Little Oak Opens in Conklin 

 Ludka and Olsen recruited people they knew who worked in Red Oak, and The Little Oak opened on April 27 at 1108 Conklin Road. 

 "The community here has been begging  us to open up," said Ludka. “You are the most beautiful people in the world.It's nice to open a shop and not knowing what to expect, and these people  thank us for being here.” 

 Olsen, who lives in Conklin, knew the city wanted a new store on a vacant lot on Conklin Road: a pizzeria that was previously located on a site that closed some five years ago. 

 Since it opened, The Little Oak has attracted a  loyal clientele that includes teachers, local sports teams and even  businesses  Olsen has never  heard of. 

 "I think this place fulfills the 'There's a gap here,'" he said. "We're just trying to fill that void."" 

 Little Oak launches new specialties and old favourites: 

 Country Grilled Cheese, Eggs Benedict and Sausage Stuffed Turkey Rolls are on  The Little Oak's menu, along with some recipes that have resonated with Red Oak. 

 The Red Oak's homemade soups spread across town, and The Little Oak Chicken and Biscuits — fried chicken with homemade gravy every morning —  quickly became a customer favorite.

Little Oak is launching new specialties, old favorites like 

Farmhouse grilled cheese, Eggs Benedict and sausage stuffed turkey rolls are on the menu at The Little Oak, along with several recipes sourced from  Red Oak. 

 

 The Red Oak's homemade soups spread across town, and The Little Oak Chicken and Biscuits — fried chicken with homemade gravy every morning —  quickly became a customer favorite. 

 

 Handmade restaurant cakes are also high on the list. A recipe Olsen learned from her husband - she first tried it in Georgia - palm-sized cakes are baked and folded, with your favorite fruit encased inside.