Business News

Getting a taste of Wantagh

Chamber cuts the ribbon for new eateries

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Wantagh’s downtown continues to grow. The Chamber of Commerce hosted a pair of ribbon-cutting ceremonies on June 25 for two new food-oriented businesses on Wantagh Avenue.

Oregano Joe’s opened up four months ago at 1919 Wantagh Ave., the site of the old Cherrywood Pizzeria, a long-time Wantagh establishment. It is owned by Ralph Belfiore, who, as the proprietor of Hudson’s Mill in Massapequa, is no stranger to the restaurant business. The two eateries are vastly different, however, as Hudson’s Mill is American cuisine, while Oregano Joe’s features Italian food and is also a pizzeria.

Customers can dine in or get a few slices of pizza to go. Belfiore said the restaurant is known for its specialty pizzas. One popular pie features slow braised barbecue short rib with shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses.

Another signature item, Belfiore said, is Oregano Joe’s sauce. “We make great sauce,” he said. “It’s all homemade. It tastes like what grandma used to make.”

The restaurant also features a service bar, and hosts parties. A new promotion is the Sunday macaroni special. For $13.95, a customer can get a salad, macaroni of their choice with a meatball, sausage and short rib, dessert and coffee or tea.

Belfiore, who is operating Oregano Joe’s with his son, Joe, and nephew, Anthony Suppa, said business has been growing steadily as more and more people have been finding out about the restaurant.

“Every week’s been our busiest week,” Belfiore said. “We’re excited to be in the community. We’re looking to become your neighborhood Italian restaurant and pizzeria.”

Just up the block, a new bakery has already found a way to grow its business. Chamber of Commerce officials welcomed the Pow Burger food truck to town, which has partnered with Flour Girl at 1875 Wantagh Ave.

Mike Ciavolino, the CEO of Pow Burger, which has a restaurant in New Rochelle, is a 1982 graduate of Wantagh High School and now lives in Westchester. He said it was an amazing experience to bring the business to his hometown.

Ciavolino and his business partner, Andrew Cooper, are looking to expand the business to Long Island and offer franchise opportunities for either food trucks or physical restaurants.

“A lot of people are looking to be entrepreneurs,” Ciavolino said, “and they don’t know where to go.” He added that his business will support the franchisees in a variety of ways, including business coaching sessions and marketing, and outfitting a truck with all necessary equipment.

Pow Burger’s menu is expansive with various burgers, grilled chicken, grilled cheese, French fries, hot dogs, salads, BLTs and shakes. The startup cost is roughly $112,000 for a food truck, and $190,000 for a restaurant.

Cooper said the goal is to have a food truck in Wantagh on a regular basis, and also in surrounding communities. “You can literally put a food truck anywhere,” he said, adding that “we want to develop this area. We want to bring the Pow Burger concept to Long Island.”

Its partnership with Flour Girl is designed to benefit both businesses. When Flour Girl hosts a party, it can have the food truck come by to provide its guests with a meal. Or it can send its desserts out on the truck.

“We’re so excited,” said Lisa Papania, co-owner of Flour Girl, which opened in January and specializes in custom pastries. “We can bring our product to other places.”

Wantagh Chamber of Commerce President Chris Brown said with Flour Girl and Pow Burger, along with Numa’s Florist and Platinum Party Planners across the street, there are great opportunities for local businesses to work together. “They can put a whole party together in just one block,” he said.