WINTER EVENTS WAYS TO CURE CABIN FEVER. Winter CALENDAR COZY UP FOR WINTER 2018 STEEPING SUCCESS AT A LOCAL TEA SHOP

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1 LIL_1118_Winter WINTER 2018 COZY UP FOR WINTER STEEPING SUCCESS AT A LOCAL TEA SHOP DISCOVER THE JOY IN GIFT-GIVING WITH UNIQUE TREASURES OUR TOWN: FARMINGDALE TAKE A WALK DOWN MAIN STREET CLOSET COUTURE WHITE HOT WINTER FASHIONS 10 WAYS TO CURE CABIN FEVER Winter EVENTS CALENDAR

2 FARMINGDALE a village withactivity abuzz By Arlene Gross FARMINGDALE has become more of a DESTINATION with the influx of upscale restaurants 90 LONG ISLAND LIVING NOVEMBER 2018

3 Below: The bar at Vespa Italian Kitchen & Bar Right: P.E.I. (Prince Edward Island) mussels take center stage at Croxley s Ale House. Below, right: Chicken wings from Croxley s are always a good idea. STROLLING DOWN MAIN STREET in Farmingdale village, you can t help but notice the proliferation of shops and eateries packed into the four block stretch from Melville Road to Richard Street. Ralph Ekstrand, mayor of the incorporated village of Farmingdale, credits the recent business boom to the transit oriented development. It has totally transformed our Main Street, says Ekstrand. Six, seven years ago we had 23 empty stores. Now we have three or four. IT STARTS AT THE STATION In 1995, the Farmingdale train station marked its centennial with a place on the National Historic Registry. With an assist from New York State s Third Rail program, NOVEMBER 2018 LONG ISLAND LIVING 91

4 The interior of the Divine Olive and the exterior of Harley s American Grille. the station was recently refurbished with vintage looking windows, light fixtures and replicas of late 19th century benches. Farmingdale doesn t have a waterfront to draw people, but we do have a train station that has a 45-minute commute to Manhattan, notes Ekstrand, adding that there are now 223 apartments within a half block from the station and 26 loft apartments above retail shops on Main, which attract empty nesters, millennials and singles. Location is key in attracting people from all over, says Joseph Garcia, Chamber of Commerce president. We re right at the heart of Long Island, says Garcia, noting Farmingdale s proximity to Seaford Oyster Bay Expressway, Route 110 and Southern State Parkway. ADAPTING WITH THE TIMES Years ago, the 32-year-old Chocolate Duck, a cake decorating and chocolate molding business, was more of a warehouse setting. Today, it has become a sweet destination. 92 LONG ISLAND LIVING NOVEMBER 2018

5 ELITE HOSPITALITY PRESENTS THE PERFECT VENUES FOR YOUR HOLIDAY CELEBRATION Newsday -Corin Hirsch At your home or office, or in our private party room, Vespa is perfect for your Holiday cheer. vespaitaliankitchen.com 282 Main Street, Farmingdale Make Your Reservations for Your CorporateHolidayEvent NowTaking Reservations for Midnight On Main New Year s Eve Gala harleysamericangrille.com 283 Main Street, Farmingdale LiL112018_VespaItal- LiL11201 L _Vespa espai PROTECT YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSIONS! A vibrant, promisingspot. Letthe fiestabegin. Joan Reminick,Newsday High Security,Fire Resistant SAFES &VAULTS Gun Safes Fire Safes Data Safes Watchfor theopening of Our2nd Location Coming Soon in East Northport LUNCH DINNER WEEKEND BRUNCH HOLIDAY CATERING 1815 BroadhollowRoad(Rte. 110),Farmingdale SAFE WAREHOUSE OF NEW YORK SAFES SafeWarehouseOfNY.com LiL112018_ 354Main Street,Farmingdale CARA(2272) LiL112018_Cara-

6 Cocktails at the Library Café. In the last 10 months, we revamped our storefront to make it have a more candy boutique feel to accommodate the night traffic from the restaurants and the bar, says owner Christina Bisbee. A 12-year stalwart on Main, The Nutty Irishman is expanding into the next building to accommodate both younger and older crowds, notes owner Joe Fortuna, who started Music on Main three years ago, a live music and outdoor dining event on four Thursdays in the summer. This year, more than 10,000 people attended each event. Farmingdale has become more of a destination with the influx of nicer restaurants, says Fortuna. It s a quaint little Main Street; it s not a big town. It s small, but it has everything you need. Named for its former incarnation as the Farmingdale Public Library, the Library Café, which opened 17 years ago, is famous for its artisanal cocktails. The bar at Cara Cara. From interior renovations to menu revamps, Library Café is continuously evolving to stay relevant in today s market, says Jennifer Cantin, director of marketing and development. FARMINGDALE: A GREAT FIND Whether you re looking for handmade skin care products at Scrubz, a classic Mexican meal at Cara Cara or care to try one of the 50 tap beers at Croxley s Ale House, there s a place for everyone to shop and be sated. When he was looking to open a restaurant, Ben LoManto chose Farmingdale for its village setting. Charlotte s Speakeasy. 94 LONG ISLAND LIVING NOVEMBER 2018