ICYMI: Smithtown Merchant 'Anxious & Depressed' Over Coronavirus

SMITHTOWN, NY — Old Street Restaurant and Bar, an American restaurant in Smithtown, is feeling the financial burden of a New York State mandate that forced the temporary closure of all restaurants to sit-down service. The mandate came in mid-March as part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

The outbreak has led to challenging times throughout food industry, as late June is likely the earliest Long Island restaurants will be able to start reopening under the third phase of the state's guidelines.

Old Street Restaurant and Bar, at 92 E. Main St., has been a Smithtown fixture since 1969. For the past 25 years, it's been in the family of sister-brother duo Laura Lombardi and Frank Pizzimenti. While Lombardi is more optimistic the restaurant will survive than she was a month ago, she says the coronavirus ordeal has been "very stressful."

"[Pizzimenti] and I don't even sleep at night," Lombardi said. "We have such bad anxiety. We're getting deeper and deeper in debt. We're really, really anxious and depressed. We come in here every morning, and the place is empty. It was such a lively, busy, loud place. Now it's just empty, every day. It's been too long now. It's really taking a toll on us."

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The restaurant can be reached at 631-979-9073 and is currently open 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays.

Click here to see the Old Street Restaurant and Bar menu.