Applebee’s opens, gives back to community

Elmont has a new neighbor. On June 13, an Applebee’s store opened at 1710 Hempstead Turnpike in Elmont.

As a tribute to the community, familiar Elmont landmarks filled the restaurant’s walls. The images depict a montage of students and athletes from neighboring schools, as well as local firemen, police and other members of the community. Sixteen flat-screen televisions placed in the dining room and bar areas allow guests to watch their favorite sporting events from any seat in the restaurant.

“We reached out to the community to get pictures of local schools, teams, and landmarks,” said Marc Prince, the Director of Operations for all Long Island and Northern New Jersey Applebee’s. “I really think we captured that local feel,” he said as he pointed towards the countless murals of nearby high schools and colleges that fill the restaurant’s walls.

The true local feel, however, was not seen on the restaurant’s walls or in its excited wait staff, it was seen on the restaurant’s second day in town, when a check for $2,000 was presented to the Elmont Fire Department —10 percent of the Elmont Applebee’s opening-day food sales.

Elmont Fire Chief Mike Capoziello accepted the check on behalf of the department from Kevin Heir, General Manager of Elmont Applebee’s, Adam Eury, Applebee’s Area Director and Marc Prince.

“Applebee’s has a strong commitment to supporting the neighborhoods we serve,” said Edward W. Doherty, who owns and operates a total of 61 Applebee’s throughout Long Island and Northern and Central New Jersey. “We look forward to getting to know our new neighbors here in Elmont’s close-knit community.”