Bollinger's: A New Owner Takes Over An Old Favorite

It's a comforting feeling to walk down Main Street in Farmingdale, and know what you're going to get: railroad tracks at one end, post office on the other, and all the familiar shops and restaurants in between. Right in the middle stands , a neighborhood staple.

The restaurant has been a Main Street mainstay for decades, dating back to the 1920's and all its years as Von Leesen's. Fred Bollinger bought and renamed it over a decade ago and retired late last year, selling to Joe Tinisi.

Business of the Biz

Tinisi ran a catering business out of Massapequa, along with his "day job" at an electrical device manufacturing company.  With numerous catering contracts to satisfy, something had to give, and he decided to make the restaurant business his full-time job.

"I felt we needed a place of our own at this time, and so we decided to look around, and then we purchased [Bollinger's]," Tinisi said.

Even in a sluggish economy, people have to eat, and so far, Tinisi said Bollinger's is holding its own under its new leadership.

"Business has been busy for us, it's up and down...after the holidays it gets a little quiet," he said. "When the restaurant has been on the slow side, we've been doing catering."

Retro Restaurant

Bollinger's has always stood out for its 50s-era decor.  Old style booths, a U-shaped counter, the soda fountain.  It's all part of the charm, which will largely stay as is under the new ownership.

"We really like the look of the restaurant," Tinisi said.  "It ties into what era I grew up in, the tail end of it."

Customers agreed.

"It's like eating in your mom's kitchen, it's retro, going back in time, and the food's delicious," customer Margaret Carnesi said.

Comfort Food

Bollinger's will continue to offer burgers, waffles and homemade ice cream - all the favorites folks have become accustomed to. Tinisi has decided to enhance the menu, and diners can now warm up as winter drags on with an array of comfort food not always found in a neighborhood cafe.

"Anything from pulled pork, ribs, homemade cornbread, meat loaf, all the Italian dishes, lasagna, stuffed shells, chicken marsala," Tinisi said are some of the new additions at Bollinger's.  Homemade soups and custom-made ice cream cakes are other arrivals Tinisi is looking to promote.

Staying With The Times

Tinisi realizes there's work to be done to keep Bollinger's humming along. He's considering everything from classic car shows to karaoke nights to bring people in.  And he may just take advantage of the bar scene on Main Street. After all, where does one go for a late night snack after a few hours at the Library Cafe or Nutty Irishman?

"Bar owners have said there's no good food after 10 or 11:00 at night when the bar crowd wants to leave and get a good burger or meal," Tinisi said of the possibility of staying open later.

He's also looking to expand from behind, to make things more accessible for local residents.

"There's an established community in Farmingdale, older folks have requested a rear entrance because parking on Main Street is difficult at best," he said.

Optimism at Bollinger's

Tinisi says so far so good as owner of Bollinger's.  He's proud to say they've already been named second-best "mom and pop" establishment on Long Island by the Long Island Press, and feels familiarity and an inviting menu should help Bollinger's continue to thrive.

"It's the most economical comfort food that I know of, you won't get a better meal [elsewhere]," he said.

For folks in Farmingdale, that's a comforting feeling.