Hockey-Themed Blue Line Deli Coming To Huntington

HUNTINGTON, NY — Blue Line Deli, an NHL hockey-themed deli and bagel shop, will soon be ready for face-off in Huntington. Donald Rosner, who also owns Bagel Boss, said he hopes to open at 719 West Jericho Turnpike by mid-February.

He's currently preparing the menu and deciding which memorabilia to decorate the store with. Rosner, 38, of Carle Place, a lifelong New York Islanders fan, said most of the merchandise will be Isles-themed, but the shop will also represent the New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils and perhaps even the Buffalo Sabres.

"There’s going to be NHL stuff all over the place," he told Patch. "I’m a die-hard Islanders fan. That’s my number one hobby. I live for that team, and it’s going to show here."

The walls are painted a light shade of blue, orange, black and white; not the exact Islanders colors, although the design is reminiscent of an ice rink. Rosner said he plans to put up signed jerseys, sticks, posters, action photos of players, gloves and whatever else he can. A long photograph of Nassau Coliseum, the Islanders home arena spanning decades, will be prominently displayed. However, while hockey is a passion for Rosner, he emphasized the deli is for anyone.

"I want the people who are not hockey fans not to feel bombarded," he said. "I’m praying that [Islanders fans] want to come here, and when they do, they feel comfortable, look around and be like, ‘This is awesome.’ For the people who aren’t into it, I hope they don’t mind it."

The NHL memorabilia will be a huge aspect of the deli, though Rosner said that's just more of a reflection of his personality and hobbies.

"What’s important to me is the quality of food, the place is clean, and the staff is friendly," he said.

As for food, while Blue Line will offer the occasional hockey-themed special, the menu items will be in the simple, old-school deli spirit. The shop will carry Boar's Head items, chicken Parmesan, chopped salads and pre-packed dinner meals for those looking to stop by after work. The deli will serve Bagel Boss bagels, including the blue and orange Islanders bagel, as well as a #13-shaped Barzagel to pay homage to Mathew Barzal, one of the Islanders top offensive dynamos. Egg sandwiches will be offered, too.

Rosner and his mother, LeeAnn Rosner, are equal partners in the store. She specializes in chocolate items, so the deli will carry gourmet items like chocolate-covered popcorn, for example.

But for Donald Rosner, opening in Huntington is important to him. He grew up minutes from where Blue Line Deli is, and he doesn't have to commute far from his Carle Place home.

"This has been home to me for a big part of my life," he said. "I went to school here, made a lot of friends here. It’s my neighborhood. It’s comfortable, and it’s home."

Rosner said he plans to be as customer service-oriented as possible; the business will deliver, cater directly to parties at homes, and try to ensure people going to work in the morning are out within minutes. But if you're a hockey fan and have a few minutes to spare, don't hesitate to chat Rosner up if you see him.

"Come in, get good food and let’s talk some hockey," he said. "Anytime an Islanders fan comes in to any store I’ve ever been in, there’s a conversation there, and it’s always fun. Hockey is a big part of my life, and I’d like to think I’m knowledgeable in it. And [the Islanders] are great right now, too. It’s a lot of fun to talk about the team when they’re playing well."

Photos

All photos by Michael DeSantis/Patch