Farmingdale Village Voted Best Downtown On Long Island: Ekstrand

FARMINGDALE, NY — Farmingdale Village was voted "Best Downtown" in the 2021 Bethpage Best of Long Island awards, Mayor Ralph Ekstrand announced in a newsletter. It marks the sixth time the village has captured the honors, as it also won 2015 through 2018 and 2020.

With Valentine's Day weekend around the corner, Ekstrand urged Dalers to take advantage of the shops in the award-winning downtown.

"Whether you are looking to buy flowers at our local florist, chocolate/candy at our great chocolatier, gifts, jewelry, cigars, clothing, home goods/furnishings, vintage guitars, art lessons/classes, gym memberships, swimming lessons, beauty/salon/spa treatments, wine and liquor, gift certificates, and more! Dine out, order take out or food delivery — so many wonderful options at Village restaurants/eateries/pubs, whether it is on Valentine’s Day, during the week or weekend throughout the year — shop and dine local — support the local merchants!" Ekstrand wrote.

The Marketplace at 317 Main Street opened on Feb. 4, with Ekstrand referring to it as a "one-stop-shop for grab and go." The marketplace offers sandwiches, soups, gelato, dessert, meat and cheese boards to-go, steak and chops, pasta, merchandise and more. The outpost can be found in the back entrance from the parking lot of 317 Main Street.

With potential snow in the forecast for Long Island — again — Ekstrand reminded residents he could declare a snow emergency for Farmingdale Village when there are more than 2 inches of snow on the ground, as well as what that would entail.

Parking one's vehicle is prohibited on all public highways for an 18-hour period if a snow emergency is declared, according to the village code. Should a snowstorm hit, Ekstrand asked those in a residential neighborhood to remove their cars from the street so the village's Department of Public Works crew can effectively clean the snow. Cars left in the street are subject to ticketing when snow emergencies are declared.

"So please remember during snowstorms to try to park cars off the streets (even on a Lawn) so DPW crews can do their job plowing curb-to-curb, and also clear fire hydrants near homes," Ekstrand said. "Safety and effective snow clearing are priorities — thank you in advance for your cooperation."

Farmingdale Village Hall remains closed to the public due to the coronavirus pandemic. The staff will be in the office from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday to answer phone calls and emails. The Village Hall number is 516-249-0093, while the court number is 516-293-2292. Emails are listed on the village's website. Residents are asked to mail payments or use the drop box to the left of the front door. In case of an emergency, residents are asked to call the Fire Department dispatch number at 516-531-9820.

Village Hall could reopen to the public on March 1, Ekstrand said.