'Taxi War' owners make peace with merger

East Rockaway Taxi has merged with former rival company All Island Taxi. They have upgraded their fleet of cars.

Courtesy Brianne Valgoi

East Rockaway Taxi and All Island Taxi companies have merged, according to the owners at both establishments and a source at the Nassau County Taxi and Limousine Commission — and, both owners say they are invested in the company and its future. They began talking about the possible merger before last Thanksgiving.

“I think it’s a great opportunity,” said All Island owner Larry Blessinger, Jr. “Service will just get better for the residents of East Rockaway.”
The company has upgraded their vehicles to town cars and minivans and has expanded its fleet of cars.

All Islands, headquartered in Franklin Square, has ten companies on the south shore and middle of Nassau County.
East Rockaway owner John Eakin has recently opened a new airport service town car depot in Boynton Beach, Florida, which will be serving both the West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale airports. He will be dividing his time between Florida and New York.

Lee Krichmar will be running the East Rockaway office. “The service will only get better,” Krichmar said.