Restaurant Owners On Closures: 'My Initial Reaction Was Panic'

NORTH FORK, NY — The world shifted Monday for business owners in New York when Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that all restaurants and bars would close as of 8 p.m., shifting to take-out only. On the North Fork, business owners reacted to the news with some trepidation, but also with the inner grit, fortitude, and spirit of love for community that has seen them weather many storms and seasons.

Sharon Sailor, co-owner of Front Street Station in Greenport, said she is a fourth generation living on, and the third born on, the North Fork.

"We love the North Fork and its people — we are the North Fork," she said. "We don’t want anyone to get sick. If they did we would some how know them, or their brother, uncle, grandparents — we don’t want them to get sick. Front Street is our family, too."

It was still a hard blow, Sailor said.

"My heart sank when I heard the news. My initial reaction was panic. Fear for our future, our health, our patrons, our finances. Then after a breath, I realized that the community loves and needs us as much as we do them. So the term 'family business' has never been more applicable — it’s just us and a cook. We decided to be there for our patrons, our extended family. We will adhere to all the rules but we are here for the essential personnel, the hospital workers, dispatchers, the police department, regular families having game night, our older community," she said.

Front Street Station will be open from noon until 8 p.m. daily for pickup or delivery. The last delivery order has to be in by 7:30 pm. so the eatery can close by 8 p.m. To order delivery, call 631-333-2050.

"We are here for you and we are counting on all of you to be here for us so we can continue to be a staple in the community," Sailor said.

George Giannaris, owner of Hellenic Snack Bar & Restaurant in East Marion, will be offering takeout and curbside pickup.

He offered a thoughtful and insightful perspective on the new reality rendered by the global pandemic.

"In the 50 years that I've been on this planet there has never been one time where fear, anxiety, or depression have made my circumstances any better or have aided in solving any problems," Giannaris said. "There's a time for growth, stretching and a time for sharing. Every business has to be confident in their product, confident in their service to the community, and confident in the community. Business models change constantly. I find myself always having to adapt to the latest technology and the latest trends so that I may remain relevant. One thing I've never heard anybody say is, 'Man, I really hate that Hellenic is so consistent. I can't stand the excellent service. It really bothers me to get huge portions.'"

The bottom line? "The fundamentals can't be tampered with. The new reality brought upon us by this virus is a temporary one. Remember that going out to eat isn't about nutrition — it's about a social experience. No matter how quarantined we are as a society the desire for a unifying social experience will never leave us," he said.

But, Giannaris added: "Until we can confidently shake hands without pulling away in fear, we will serve as we have through takeout alone."

Customers are asked to support local businesses because, he said, it's the staffers that are the heartbeat of the community — the locals who need help feeding their own families.

"If I could not stay open it would make it difficult for the 20 families that rely on Hellenic to have a positive impact on the community," Giannaris said. "The current struggle is real and terrifying; however, behind that monster is a quiet solution that only comes from silencing your thoughts and being engaged with the minds of the community that surrounds you. We need to be proactive and positive first and collectively make decisions that benefit, not only our interests, but the interests of the people that surround us."

To order takeout at Hellenic, call 631-477-0138.

"The fear is real"

Marc LaMaina, owner of Lucharitos, spoke on the closures.

"We live or die by to-go and delivery now. Never thought it would come to this," he said. "This is just all wrong. We have three major projects going on right now. The fear is real. But in the same breath, these are moments where we can take a step back for a second. Remember, it’s the marathon. And adapt. So long as we are given the opportunity to adjust the working model we do just that. Stick and move. The entrepreneur in me gets excited about the unknown. How to steer the business and make the comeback. The father and husband in me is scared. But who isn’t? I'm confident we will figure this out," he said.

In addition to the to-go service and delivery, Lucharitos is offering frozen burritos that can be heated up in the oven at home; soups and quesadillas are on the agenda, too.

If he could sell margaritas to go, LaMaina said, "maybe we could make it through this."

He added: "My team is excited and up for the challenge. I guess because I am. We worked too hard to go back now. Too many people believe in this. To our customers, family and friends, we have had a rough 12 months with the Center Moriches delay and some personal stuff like we all have, but through it all, our base has grown and grown. We are a grateful and humbled every day. Thank you guys for your continued push. Stay safe. And we will sing some Lucha karaoke soon.

For Lucharitos delivery in Greenport, call 631-477-6666. In Aquebogue, call 631-779-3681.

Stepanie and Tony Piraino of East on Main in Mattituck were rocked by the closure news: "We are devastated but understand the severity of these uncertain times and the safety of our families and customers, which at this point are all the same, is our main focus. Financially, this is going to cripple us but we are going to do our best," the said. "We pray we can make it through."

East on Main is offering curbside service as well as delivery. To order from East on Main, call 631-298-7208.

Other businesses have decided to shutter temporarily.

Ian Wile, owner of Little Creek Oyster Farm and Market in Greenport, announced the news on social media. "We close today to preserve what we can. To streamline. To free up our heads for planning and creating stability and perhaps a chance to survive should these closures be prolonged. We join so many in hoping for a rapid change for the better and are closing simply to make our best attempt at being viable and capable of re-opening when the all clear sounds. . .We wish you and yours the safest road in the journey ahead and hope that we can break bread once again."

In an interview with Patch, Wile said his business, like all businesses in Greenport and around the state, are closing "for the time being. We will never know if we made the decision too late or too early but we did so to prepare for a long closure. I am assuming a closure through Memorial Day," he said. "That's only 10 weeks from today. It is my estimate that, barring any relief, a closure of 10 weeks or more is a mortality rate of about 80% for Greenport's businesses."

His goal, he said, is to position the business for the long haul with "severe belt tightening, debt management, and cooperation with vendors — and seeking all state, federal, county, and local support."

In a time of uncertainty, there is one truth, Wile said: Giving back. "My current mission is larger and community based. Feeding the current hungry, the people who are about to go hungry," he said.

That sentiment, of caring for the community, of seeking greater good in the face of adversity, was echoed across the North Fork as coronavirus cases continued to rise.

Wendy Zuhoski, owner of Wendy's Deli in Mattituck, said the news of the closures filled her with a sea of mixed emotions. "It breaks my heart to see so many people out of work, restaurants closing, new places not being able to open and people so confused as to what is going on," she said.

Her hope is that all can support the businesses that are able to stay open "in a safe and healthy way."

Wendy's Deli will be open normal hours, with specials posted, and customers urged to text orders in. Under the new regulations, there will be no dine-in service. To order, call 631-298-1500 or text orders to 631-400-3467.

"Thank you for always supporting us. We appreciate each and every one of you. Stay healthy," she said.

And, in the tradition of a someone who has single-handedly raised thousands for community members in need, Zuhoski, too, chose giving back over giving in to despair.

"Please let us know if there are families that could use our help," she said. "We are more than willing to supply dinners to anyone in need."