Small claims ct. problem!

[rentguy]

I need to file a claim against my former landlord for failure to return my security deposit. My landlord lives in Long Island and has a business out there. My apartment (in a co-op building) is in Manhattan.

At the court office, I was told I would need to file my claim out on Long Island since my landlord lives out there. As a car-free Manhattanite, this is incredibly inconvenient.

Question: Does the fact that he owns my aparment and rents it out qualify as a "place of business" enough for me to still file the claim in Manhattan? He doesn't have a legal address here but there is a real estate agent/building manager in the building through whom my landlord does business. Can I file the claim against my landlord and have it sent to him care of the agent/bldg manager?

I'd rather not have to miss a day of work and go out to Long Island to file my claim so any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!