Irving's Pastrami Of Farmingdale Targets Reopening Date After Bad Fire

FARMINGDALE, NY — Irving's Pastrami of Farmingdale is anticipating a mid-February reopening after a fire destroyed the nearby Cafe La Bella Notte in December, owner Andrew Fenton told Patch.

The cafe was gutted in a fire on Dec. 20 in the mini shopping center at 180 Merritts Road. It will not open for the foreseeable future, the owner wrote on Facebook.

The fire was deemed "suspicious in nature," the Nassau County Police Department Arson Bomb Squad said. An arrest has not yet been made, police told Patch Thursday.

Irving's Pastrami was one of three storefronts — the other two vacant — to sustain smoke and water damage in the blaze, police said.

"While we were fortunate to escape any flame damage, we suffered smoke and other damage," Fenton said in a message to his customers. "We are almost complete with our repairs and should be opening soon. The Angry Irving [sandwich] is patiently waiting for you. Thanks for your understanding and we will see you soon better than ever."

Irving's opened in Farmingdale in October 2021. Fenton relocated the shop from Woodbury after he founded the eatery in March 2018.

Cafe La Bella Notte opened in March 2021. It serves hot and iced coffee, espresso, cappuccino, fresh baked goods from Brooklyn, cannolis made in the back of the store, gelato, and homemade rice balls.