New Restaurant With A Purpose Opens On Long Island

LINDENHURST, NY - A new restaurant, Restoration - Kitchen and Cocktails, has finally opened in Lindenhurst.

The eatery not only gives customers a chance to try new food or drinks, but it gives them a chance to do some good. That's because a portion of the profits from the restaurant will go toward charity.

Local resident Billy Miller opened the business with his wife Nicole Miller on 49 E. Hoffman Avenue on Aug. 28.

Since then, the couple have begun collecting to donate to the Suffolk County United Veterans Mental Health and Wellness and the Christina Renna Foundation which supports childhood cancer research.

"Our goal for this restaurant is similar to the goal of the Odd Fellows who constructed this building in 1908; to restore faith in humanity, one person at a time," Billy said. "We truly believe we were meant to find this piece of Lindenhurst history and continue on its original pursuit."

Prior to opening the eatery, Billy worked as an educator and in an non-profit organization.

"When I was working for these non-for-profits I saw a lot of stuff that shouldn't happen," he told Patch. "A lot of raises being given to the CEOs and presidents and nothing going back to the families, so I vowed that I would try to change that somehow, some way."

Since he had a background in the restaurant industry, Billy and Nicole decided to open the restaurant and would make it a non-profit venture.

"I figured it would combine my day job and my night job," Billy said.

They plan to take the net profit out of every quarter and donate the funds to select foundations or charities, changing the cause every four months.

"We stick to a lot of local charities and ones that are very productive in what we're looking for. We want to help society and help leave our neighbors one step better than when we got here," he said. "We're just hoping that this creates one spark that helps ignite something that's better for society."

So far, the two are trying to stick to Long Island charities since it's where they are from.

Customers will receive a coin and will get the chance to choose which charity is most suitable for themselves or their families. That will determine how much percentage of the profits each charity will receive.

The couple has already received an outpouring of support from the community.

"They have come out in full force," Billy said. "Lindenhurst is one of those villages that stands behind their own."

Billy has already received calls from several non-profits but has not yet chosen the new charities to donate to for next quarter.

While he is open to any local group, Billy says he has a "soft spot" for any organizations that give to veterans as well as cancer research since Nicole's mother has battled breast cancer in the past.

He also would love the chance to send a child Disney World.

Images courtesy of Billy Miller