Curran Urges Local Historic Status For 93-Year-Old Soda Fountain

WILLISTON PARK, NY — A struggling 93-year-old restaurant in Williston Park can now count the Nassau County executive as an ally in its quest for a historic designation, which owners hope will stave off a relocation, or worse: permanent closure.

As Patch previously reported, Hildebrant's Restaurant, known for its ice cream, chocolates and cameos in major films such as Martin Scorsese's Oscar-nominated film "The Irishman," has struggled in recent years. The coronavirus pandemic and temporary shift to takeout only exacerbated the restaurant's dire situation.

"We understood [the shutdown was necessary] because we cared about the safety of our customers as well as our employees, but we were also shocked because we knew as a very small business it would massively affect us compared to others," Hunter Acosta, daughter of owner Bryan Acosta, told Patch last week.

The family hopes a historic designation can be its silver bullet. And Laura Curran, the county executive, joined that effort Friday.

In a letter to village Mayor Paul Ehrbar, Curran asked that HIldebrandt's receive a local historical landmark by the village's Landmark Preservation Board.

"With 93 years of continuous operation in its original location, Hildebrandt's is a cornerstone of the Williston Park and North Shore communities," Curran said. "The ice cream is a treasured favorite and a source of nostalgia for many residents and the building is a piece of Nassau's rich history."

Curran added that the restaurant has also kept its
"authentic and unique character, allowing visitors to escape into the past." Approving a historic designation, she said, will preserve its history for future generations.

Hunter Acosta on Monday called Curran's gesture "incredibly sweet."

"It may not always be my family's, but it will always remain Hildebrandt's," she said.

The family also appreciated the outpouring of support from the community.

"We appreciate all the love and support from our community," Hunter Acosta said. "It truly means the world!"

More than 12,000 people have signed a Change.Org petition to save the restaurant, and preserve its history.

"As an anchor to East Williston's business district, Hildebrandt's is a vital part of the village beyond just its capacity as a restaurant," the petition said. "The interior retains its soda fountain, phone booth, original displays, and most other fixtures which make it especially appealing to film productions. "

The restaurant opened in 1927 or 1929 — there's evidence to suggest either could be the case — by Henry Hildebrandt, the eatery said on its website. Four families have taken over the business since then, but the business model has largely remained unchanged.

"We know that only four families have owned the place in all that time: Henry sold to Alma Steffens in the '50s; Alma sold to Helen Baum in 1974; and Mrs. Baum sold it to my parents, Alfred and Joanne Strano in 1975," Bryan Acosta said on the restaurant's website. "Henry Schriever, the original candy maker, trained by Henry, trained my dad, Alfred, and the recipes have continued to be handed down and closely guarded. Alfred and Joanne's daughters: Joanne, Anne and Susan all worked at Hildebrandt's through high school and beyond. Susan and her husband, Bryan Acosta, bought the store in 2007, and ran it together until Susan's passing in June 2015. Since then, Bryan has kept the tradition going. Their children Dakota and Hunter Acosta, both worked here during their high school years, and Hunter is currently working with her father, still family owned and operated."

The family has applied for the designation, Hunter Acosta said. While the landlord can evict the family even with the designation, the building itself would have to remain Hildebrant's.

"We are working at our current location being a landmark, so even if it's not in my family, it will always remain Hildebrandt's," she said.