Fire At New Center Moriches Lucharitos: 'We Got This,' Owner Says

CENTER MORICHES, NY — A fire broke out Saturday night at the spot in Center Moriches where a new location of Lucharitos, a popular taqueria and tequila bar, is set to open in the coming months.

According to Suffolk County Police, the call came in at 9:37 p.m. for a fire at 177 Main Street; Center Moriches Fire Department responded to the scene. No injuries were reported.

Marc LaMaina, owner of Lucharitos in Greenport, Little Lucharitos in Aquebogue, and a coming spot in Mattituck, wrote about the fire on the Lucharitos Facebook page: "At 10 p.m. Saturday evening we were alerted to a building fire at our Center Moriches location," he said. "Everyone is safe. We will be closed at Center Moriches indefinitely as we assess the situation and prepare to move forward. A HUGE thank you to CMFD and PD who went above and beyond."

Speaking to Patch Sunday, LaMaina reflected on the outpouring of support after the fire broke out in a back building: "Just the love shown on social media is enough to keep me here and pushing forward. We will get this cleaned up. And better than before. My team from the Neefus-Stype Agency and BNB called me at 7 a.m. to talk me back to reality. Things happen. We move on," he said.

LaMaina added: "I'm blessed. I have a circle of family and friends that support me 1,000 percent. And Center Moriches is just a powerful community that runs on love. I have total strangers from here sending me private messages. About 40 of them already. Obviously, that makes me want to fix this and get open."

The fire, he added, won't stop future plans, including a big event with Bay Gardens and a car show with Nielsons Garage to raise funds for individuals in the Center Moriches community. "That's the motivation. We got this. Just another day at the office," LaMaina said.

And, LaMaina added, even the chickens on the property, thankfully, are safe.