Talk about a workaholic: Vic Latino managed to squeeze in a phone interview on a recent afternoon while juggling a separate conference call and preparing to open his latest business venture, a new Hamptons nightclub called the Whitehouse. Oh, and one other thing:
"My wife's about to go into labor," Latino said happily. "I have to go to the hospital in a bit."
It's the fourth kid for the 32-year-old Latino, born Vic Canales, who clearly likes to keep busy. Raised in Holbrook, where he once again lives, Latino climbed his way up the DJ ladder at dance-music stations in Orlando and Long Island (at WBLI/106.1 FM and WXXP/105.3 FM) before landing at the powerhouse WKTU/103.5 FM. In November, he ended his six-year stint there and moved to XM Satellite Radio. He's also branching out into an even more competitive business:
nightclubs.
He has some experience in the field. He co-owns Matteo's, an Italian restaurant in Huntington, and ran a nightlife promotions and marketing company for several years. He also briefly owned Luxe, a club in Levittown.
But now he's entering the big leagues of the Hamptons with the Whitehouse Nightclub, which longtime Hamptonites used to know as Canoe Place Inn, or CPI. The famous venue was recently purchased by another company whose plans hit a snag, according to Latino, so he and a business partner swooped in and signed a temporary lease.
"When I was 18, 19, 20, you would go by CPI on a Saturday and there were 2,000 people who couldn't get into the club," Latino said. But the nightlife scene has since faded a bit, in his view. "You can get the same music at any bar in your neighborhood," he said. "Why should you drive out 60 miles to go drink?"
Vic is hoping the Whitehouse will provide a reason. The club now boasts new decor, more tables, a better soundsystem and -- a particularly imaginative touch -- an indoor shopping boutique that sells high-heeled shoes and lingerie. Fergie of the Black Eyes Peas will perform at the club on Sunday; other planned guests include Tommy Lee, LL Cool J and The Pussycat Dolls.
"We wanted to bring some life back into the building," Latino said. "Our goal is to bring A-list entertainment in for 16 weeks straight, every Saturday, and give people a reason to drive out east."
Latino is likely to face a busy summer. And if you see him at the club, congratulate him: It's a girl.
