The Robeson-Williams Grist Mill, one of the more historic structures in Roslyn, might have been spared total destruction from a fire last Saturday, Jan. 12 that did interior damage to Millenia Beauty Enterprises, 1345 Old Northern Blvd.

While Millenia is currently closed, its proprietor, Soheila Palazzo, said she would try to reopen the store within the next two weeks. If that is not possible, Millenia may seek a new location.

According to Pete Liotti, chief of department for Roslyn Rescue, the fire began at approximately 5:10 p.m. Nassau County fire officials have determined that the blaze was caused by an electrical panel shortage inside the building's nail salon. There were no injuries to customers and employees.

Both Roslyn fire companies responded to the blaze with 12 pieces of equipment and six fire chiefs, in addition to other personnel. The fire companies were assisted by the Glenwood Fire Department. Volunteer fire companies from Sea Cliff and Albertson also rushed to the Roslyn area to cover the Roslyn fire companies' territory, while they battled the fire.

Mr. Liotti called the day's work a "very good stop" for the fire companies. He said the response time from both fire companies to Old Northern Boulevard was two minutes. This was key, since Mr. Liotti speculates that if the fire had spread for ten minutes more after taking off, it would have spread to the entire Millenia building, completely destroying it. As ominously, the fire would have moved to the Grist Mill, which is located directly next door to Millenia.

If that had occurred, then the Grist Mill itself may have crumbled. "Exposure problems" from the Millenia fire might have proved catastrophic for the Grist Mill as well, Mr. Liotti explained. That is due to the age of the Grist Mill and the fact that it is a wood structure. "There was a potential for a lot worse," said Mr. Liotti.

For now, Millenia remains boarded up. This is the second major fire to occur in downtown Roslyn in the past several months. Last October, a fire heavily damaged a building on Tower Place that housed Dreams East and other businesses. Dreams East has since relocated to 359 Sea Cliff Avenue, Sea Cliff. Notices on the boarded up structure around that fire advertises the coming of a "Massage Village Shop" for 17 Main St. The Dreams East fire itself was preceded by an ever more disastrous fire that took place in July 2000 and destroyed several businesses on 19-21 Main Street. While renovation has taken place at those addresses, no new businesses are yet in operation.

For the past four years, Grist Mill renovation has been a major concern of village officials. The village has learned from experts that the Grist Mill, a structure that dates way back to the early 18th century, is in dire need of significant renovation. Since then, village officials have been able to secure funding from both the county and state government in Albany.

In the fall of 1998, the Nassau County legislature approved a $2.65 million bond act designed for Grist Mill renovation. The county's fiscal difficulties apparently kept the monies bottled up for some time. Last summer, members of the 1701 Roslyn Grist Mill Committee were informed that the monies, or least some of them, would be released. Some restoration work has already been started. County officials hope that more extensive work can begin in the spring or summer of this year.

Restoration plans call for the building to be raised back to street level and for the replacement of the waterwheel and mill works. Upon completion, the mill will once again grind grain and operate as it had when it was originally built.