From Costco to Community: How This Family Reshaped Long Island Real Estate

On this week’s episode of New York’s Business Podcast, host Jacob Restituto sits down with Christine Cosentino, co-principal of Cosentino Property Management, for a candid conversation about navigating the challenges of a second-generation family business, wearing multiple hats on any given day, and the invaluable lessons learned from a father who built his company from the ground up.Christine opens up about her father’s “figure it out” philosophy—going from limited resources to signing major tenants like Costco—and how that shaped a family-owned real estate portfolio now spanning two million square feet.Key Takeaways:- Family Dynamics: How Christine and her siblings handle multiple roles daily, and balance learning from a self-made father who still expects them to keep pushing forward.- Business Resilience: Navigating challenges like a controller’s exit while maintaining confidence in a fast-moving industry.- Supporting Local Economy: Why Christine believes strongly in helping mom-and-pop shops thrive, and the importance of modernizing Long Island’s downtowns without losing their local charm.- Vision for the Future: Bridging tradition with new ideas, recruiting fresh talent, and encouraging younger generations to stay and invest in the region.It’s an honest look into a multi-generational business that’s both proudly old-school and boldly future-focused. If you enjoy deep dives into family-driven entrepreneurship, community impact, and the nuts-and-bolts of commercial real estate, be sure to tune in wherever you get your podcasts.