By Andrew Hackmack
Paul Pandolfi, owner of P.J. Harper's restaurant was recognized with the business achievement award while Central High School Principal Dr. Joseph Pompilio was given the Special Recognition Award.
Both men were acknowledged for their contributions to the Valley Stream Chamber of Commerce and to the community. Pandolfi has opened up his restaurant for the Chamber while Pompilio has allowed use of his school for the annual business expo.
Pandolfi and Pompilio each received citations from the village, town, county and state at last week's gala, held at the Sand Castle in Franklin Square. Attorney and Chamber board member Dominick Minerva Jr. chaired the gala committee, which selected the two award recipients.
"The evening was very nice," said Chamber President Debbi Gyulay, "and I was happy those honorees were selected because they both have worked to make our community better."
Paul Pandolfi
Minerva said that Pandolfi is well-known for his involvement in the community and more recently, the Chamber of Commerce. P.J. Harper's hosted the Chamber's annual holiday party last December as well as a recent business social. The social, held for the first time this year in early August, was a chance for local businesspeople to gather during the summer when the commerce organization takes a break from its monthly meetings. "We thank Paul for welcoming the Chamber into his restaurant for our special occasions," Minerva said.
Growing up, Pandolfi attended the William L. Buck School and Valley Stream South High School. He graduated from St. Agnes Cathedral High School in Rockville Centre and earned a Bachelor's degree in business from Hofstra University. He bought the Night Cap CafŽ on Rockaway Avenue 19 years ago and has successfully operated P.J. Harper's there ever since.
Pandolfi considers the longevity of the business his biggest success since 90 percent of restaurants fail within the first year. "Just the fact that I've been able to stay open is a gift," he said.
He met his wife, Kelly, through the restaurant, as she and her parents would come in to eat. Together they have three sons - twins Paul and Matthew, 12, and Ryan, 18 months.
Pandolfi said his business partner, Mark Salmon, shares this award. "He deserves much of the credit for the success of P.J. Harper's," Pandolfi said.
Valley Stream's downtown, where the restaurant is located, is poised for a rebirth. State Assemblyman Bob Barra recently secured a grant for a revitalization process and he said P.J. Harper's will continue to remain a key business on Rockaway Avenue. "The future looks tremendous for Valley Stream's downtown," Barra said.
Pandolfi looks forward to the revitalization. "The best is yet to come," he said.
He recently opened up a second restaurant, Pipins Pub in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, which is where he was born. Pandolfi is a member of the village's Business Advisory Board, a team sponsor in the Valley Stream Little League and also a founder of the Valley Stream 9/11 Fund.
Dr. Joseph Pompilio
Elliott Rosenbaum, the Chamber's executive director, said the group was in a pickle in early 2007. The Chamber needed a place to host is annual business expo. The space had to accommodate up to 60 businesses each with its own display, have room for visitors from the community and be indoors. "What better place, I thought, than the gymnasium of Valley Stream Central High School," he said, "right in the heart of Valley Stream."
The Chamber wasn't in a pickle at all, it turned out, because the principal and staff of Central High School worked diligently to make sure the event would happen there. "Dr. Pompilio opened the doors to the Valley Stream Chamber of Commerce and this resulted in two successful networking nights," Rosenbaum said.
Pompilio, who grew up in the Bronx, started his teaching career in 1981 and came to Valley Stream 20 years later. He earned his doctorate from Seton Hall in 2006. Pompilio, who said he was very honored by the Chamber's recognition, explained that opening the doors to the organization was a no-brainer. "Anything that benefits Valley Stream I'm there for," he said.
He even ensured there would be food for the two networking nights by arranging for the culinary arts students to prepare and serve a meal. Pompilio noted that a relationship with the Chamber of Commerce is a benefit for the school's business education students. He hopes the partnership will only strengthen. "I plan to do business with them for many years to come," he said.
High School District Board of Education member Frank Chiachiere said how pleased he was that the Chamber chose to honor a Valley Stream educator at its awards gala. He said Pompilio has proven to be the right man to lead Central High School since the day he was hired in 2001.
"Joe is a major force in Valley Stream," Chiachiere said. "Kids know him and they respect him."
Chiachiere explained that the school buildings are just as much for the community as they are for the students and Pompilio recognizes that. "The school is where the community and the district merge," Chiachiere said. "He deserves this recognition for making Central a home not just to his children, but the community as well."
Barra, who said he makes it his business to visit every school in his legislative district, said Central is a place where students are motivated to learn. He said educators like Pompilio set the tone for a positive educational environment. "If you take care of the children," Barra said, "the children will take care of the future."
