Farmingdale Restaurateur Details Plans For Coronavirus Closure

FARMINGDALE, NY — Bars, restaurants and other establishments across Long Island have been deeply affected by the state-mandated closure to attempt to stem the spread of the new coronavirus. Joe Fortuna, who owns a pair of businesses on Farmingdale's Main Street, is trying to adjust to the temporary but indefinite lifestyle change.

Fortuna owns The Nutty Irishman, a pub with occasional live music at 323 Main St., and 317 Main Street, an American restaurant spearheaded by Chef Eric LeVine, a champion of The Food Network's "Chopped." 317 Main Street shares an address with its namesake.

The measure, which doesn't allow customers inside certain businesses and limits shops to takeout and delivery orders, comes after the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended banning all gatherings over 50 people as a way to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The industries closed Monday night and New York, New Jersey and Connecticut will coordinate a reopening date, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said.

"I really feel bad," Fortuna told Patch. "We have over 50 employees. We kinda had to tell them we don’t have work for them. It sucks, basically. It’s a shame. Hopefully this is not going to go on too long. We’ve just gotta ride it out."

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Fortuna's plan is to keep the staff he has now between both eateries and hope everyone can financially ride it out until businesses can return to normal operation, as only a handful of employees are still working. In the meantime, free meals are being offered to employees.

A special menu for curbside pickup and free delivery within a 5-mile radius was jointly set up between the two businesses. Cocktails and growlers of beer are also being served to-go, as the New York State Liquor Authority relaxed its rules for the time being.

Business has been a struggle ever since the coronavirus began spreading, as less people began to show up once major sports leagues postponed or canceled its seasons. It's been more scarce since the mandate restricted on-premises service.

"A lot of people were coming out just to hang out to get out of the house, even though there was no sports," Fortuna said. "Now they kind of took that away as well."

The Nutty Irishman can be reached at 516-293-9700, while 317 Main Street's number is 516-512-5317. The menu put out by the businesses includes salad kits, buffalo chicken wings, mac & cheese, Pappardelle noodles and braised short rib, roasted chicken, and more. Sizes come in servings for two, four or six people. Cheesecake, chocolate ganache cake and carrot cake can be had for dessert.

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