ROCKY POINT--For years Rocky Pointers have wished the vacant GQ Bar & Grill wasn't such a prominent eyesore. Located at one of the hamlet's major intersections, Broadway and Route 25A, the empty building has stirred feelings of discouragement from residents who say they want to see Rocky Point become a destination point for people throughout the North Shore.

Residents may just get their wish. Frank Cariola, a former club owner, has just leased the building from owner Ernie Saasto and plans to open a music club catering to a middle-age crowd at the end of the summer.

"I want to put Rocky Point on the map," said Mr. Cariola, a former tour manager for the musical group The Four Seasons. "I want Rocky Point to welcome me and be proud of me."

Mr. Losquadro said he anticipated Mr. Cariola will be instrumental in getting people out to Rocky Point.

"He saw this location and said, 'I think this is great. I like this area and I want to make it work,'ââ" Mr. Losquadro said. "Frank is a legendary figure in the field of live entertainment. He's been a songwriter, represented groups and has owned well-known establishments where top performers would come."

Mr. Cariola owned The Sundance in Bay Shore and The Roxy in Huntington -- establishments that drew big names like Guns n' Roses, Tammy Wynette, and Kris Kristofferson. He plans to name the Rocky Point venue Sundance as well.

GQ Bar & Grill, which Mr. Saasto had said would open more than three years ago, never actually opened its doors because "the people who were going to try to start it up had limited experience as far as night clubs were concerned," Mr. Saasto said.

This time around should prove different, the owner said.

"The fellow opening it up has a great deal of experience in night clubs, as well as promoting bands," Mr. Saasto said. "There were several other people who wanted the place, but again, they had limited experience."

Prior to its being the unopened GQ Bar & Grill, the building was home to Club Blue, a short-lived music club that Councilwoman and Rocky Point resident Jane Bonner said "couldn't be supported in that location."

"There's no parking," Ms. Bonner added.

Though there's still little parking, Ms. Bonner said the fact that club will cater to an older, more local crowd could help revitalize the downtown.

The club could "bring dollars into our downtown by patrons going into our restaurants and shops," the councilwoman said.

Additional parking may be found in the CVS lot and in a lot between Tommy's Place and the new club, Mr. Cariola added.

"In the past, CVS has allowed people to utilize their lot as long as you clean it up and secure it," he said. "I told them we'll guarantee we'll clean it every night and put security there."

Diane Burke, president of the Rocky Point revitalization committee and former civic president, said she's "hopeful but cautious" about the incoming music joint.

"I'm sort of on the fence about it," Ms. Burke said. "I've reached out to the new tenant and said we'd really like some curb appeal. He's on one of the four corners of the downtown revitalization zone and we'd love him to do some sprucing up."

For example, Ms. Burke said, she's hoping to see more grass in the area and isn't "so sure the awnings are the right architectural elements on that building."

Like others, Ms. Burke cited Mr. Cariola's experience in the music industry as a positive.

"There's definitely a need for some nightlife," she said. "I know my peers like to have a place to go, and a lot of times we end up in Port Jefferson because they have live music and you're not going to run into a 20-something crowd."

Rocky Point civic members plan to meet with Mr. Cariola next week, civic president Drew Martin said.

"We're cautiously optimistic about this kind of project," Mr. Martin said. "It could be a winner for downtown Rocky Point, provided he does the right thing with the aesthetics and upkeep of the building and is a good neighbor, and I believe his intention is to be one."

Mr. Martin said he doesn't doubt some people won't be thrilled with the idea of a club. There can be loud music and lots of people, but, Mr. Martin said, he's looking forward to engaging the community in a discussion about the new business.

"Frank has been actively seeking our input and is willing to listen to us," Mr. Martin said. "He has been as respectful as one can hope for. If anyone can put the rock in Rocky Point, it's Frank Cariola."