New Lucharitos Location Heading To Center Moriches

CENTER MORICHES, NY — Taco lovers, rejoice: Lucharitos, the hugely popular taqueria and tequila bar on Main Street in Greenport, will soon open its third location in Center Moriches.

The opening follows the debut of the second location, Little Lucharitos, which opened in Aquebogue last fall.

Owner Marc LaMaina shared the good news on Facebook Friday: "We would like to announce our newest location, at 177 Montauk Highway in Center Moriches," he said.

Describing next steps, LaMaina said, over the coming few months, the plan is to complete paperwork and begin light renovations.

"We are expecting a spring grand opening," he said.

The spot, he added, encompasses all he's been looking for: "This site has been lovingly cared for and has so many special and straight up magical spaces. We fell in love with it instantly. Even the chickens. We can't wait for a huge plate of tacos, a round of margaritas, some treats from our farm and a table full of friends under the lights of that famous pear tree.This is going to be a special place. Full of good vibes, here."

LaMaina also thanked Center Moriches friends for reaching out via social media or in person at the Aquebogue and Greenport locations, "and sharing your excitement. It sealed the deal for us."

LaMaina said he and Kevin Sage, who runs the Greenport location, grew up playing basketball and baseball in Center Moriches. "Twenty years ago our assistant coach on the Southold/Greenport baseball was Tuck O'Brian. Well, his son Chris is a championship coach at Center Moriches High School. I asked Coach to send me some good kids to work at the new shop," he said.

The previous owner at the site, Chris Cohen, "has been so awesome," LaMaina said. "I got her number through her friend and have been picking her brain non-stop. She created this slice of heaven on that corner. It's going to be really neat. And the love we have gotten from the people of Center Moriches is absolutely crazy. We are good at picking towns that have a strong community vibe and care about their neighbors. We hope to fit in and become family with Center Moriches ASAP."

"We want to create a magical place where good, fresh food and drinks are shared among happy folks"

Describing his vision, LaMaina painted a verbal vision of a dream soon to be realized: "We want to create a magical place where good, fresh food and drinks are shared among happy folks. Where kids can can lost in the organic farm and pick sunflowers and pumpkins. We are putting our kids in charge of our play area — and they have some wild ideas. Unfortunately or fortunately, depending on your age, we won't be able to keep a live dragon on the farm, as my kids asked. Doesn't matter how magical the place is. Sorry, boys. Chickens are cool enough."

Lucharitos, which opened after Hurricane Sandy caused extensive damage to the Greenport building, was born after LaMaina's former business at the site, Butta Cakes. Lucharitos soon became a staple in the village, with an expansion in 2015.

Reflecting in a past interview on what the journey has meant, rising from the devastation of the Sandy, to not only create Lucharitos but now, add new locations, LaMaina said, as a businessman and a father, "95% of my drive is family based. We all want our family to be safe and happy and content. They motivate me, as cliche as that sounds. It's the same for most dads out here. The other five percent is purely bases on competitiveness. I want to be the best in the niche. Thats attributed to being involved in sports since a kid. My life was upside down," after Sandy, "and I'm right where I should be right now. I'm happy. I'm pressing forward."

Compared to his former life, when he used to commute to work in New York, LaMaina said even with long hours, today he doesn't feel as busy. Commuting, he said, "would take a huge chunk of my day. I called it lost time. I wasn't doing anything productive for myself or my future. I wasn't producing. Now I try to accomplish six things a day. It's not as easy as it sounds. But you will realize some days, 'I've only done two things and its already 2 p.m.' And they could be anything. Going to the bank. Paying bills. Having lunch with Mom. Taking the boys to soccer. Six things. It keeps me moving."

No matter how busy his work life, LaMaina said he will always make time for family and friends — and the third son he and his wife are expecting. "I'll close the restaurant for a day if I think we need a team event or just a day to all rest and get on the same page. I'm very anti-whatever you think a normal restaurant should be. My motivation to create this space and my desire to create more like it stems from wanting the ability to one day soon spend all my time with my family. That's the end game."

What he's accomplished since the flood waters ravaged Butta Cakes makes him take pause, LaMaina said. LaMaina, who also earned a masters degree in restauranteurship said he has felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude while building his businesses.

"When I walk into Lucharitos in Greenport I am often hit with this feeling of 'Wow, what is this place? What did we create here?' It amazes me. I go out to eat a lot and like anyone in this business, I compare and contrast. What we have . . . is magical at times. There are moments, sometimes when we are flashing the lights and the entire place is singing 'Happy Birthday' to a five-year old wearing a Luchador mask and holding a real championship wrestling belt that I'm choked up. Or moments where our staff is hanging out after a shift and laughing and letting off steam that I can't believe we built this from scratch."

Patch file photo by Lisa Finn.