A busy summer on the ‘quarter mile’ in East Rockaway

Though there were a lot of rainstorms this summer, the businesses on the newly dubbed “quarter mile” in East Rockaway stayed plenty busy, and two of the three waterfront establishments have plans to stay open year-round.

Grandpa Tony’s opened its doors in April at the site of former establishment Althouse 1848. The restaurant offers wood fire pizza and other Italian fare. Owner Joseph Pasquaretto and general manager Eddie Gomez said they were very busy during the summer months and have ideas on how to keep customers coming in even when the weather gets colder.

“With the way we’re doing business now, we’re hoping it’s going to stay this way,” Gomez said. “We’ve been received really well, with a lot of good reviews and repeat customers.”

Gomez said they plan to change to a fall menu later this month, which will include the addition of soups, raviolis and seasonal drinks. The restaurant will also host pasta nights on Mondays, teacher happy hours on Fridays and offer football specials on Sundays. There is also a trivia night in the works.

Pasquaretto said he has developed a good rapport with surrounding business owners from the Lazy Lobster and Reel.

“We all compliment each other in some way,” he said. “So people bounce back and forth and we support each other and have a very good relationship.”

The Lazy Lobster will close around Columbus Day, but executive chef Keith Gleason said this summer was very busy despite the bad weather. “It’s good to see people down here again hanging out,” he said. “Life is back in East Rockaway.”

This was the third summer for Lazy Lobster, and Gleason said it was the busiest season they have had so far. He added that he expects another rush toward the end of September before the seafood establishment closes for the season.

Reel used to also close around Columbus Day as well, but is now under new management, which plans to keep it open through December and possibly year-round. The establishment will offer specials that include muscles Mondays (all you can eat for $25), football deals, paint nights, ladies’ nights, family pasta game night on Fridays, yappy hours for dog owners, live music and DJs on the weekends and specials on beer and wings during football season. In addition, the back deck will be open for cornhole on football Sundays, and a big cornhole tournament is scheduled for Sept. 29, with proceeds benefitting Ethan and Bean, a charity that seeks to train and find employment for people with disabilities.

The summer may be winding down, but things are still heating up on East Rockaway’s quarter mile.