Flo’s is set to make its triumphant return to Patchogue.
Flo’s Luncheonette owner Connor Vigliotta is teaming up with chef Jason Tepper of Farm to Truck on the new Flo’s.
They plan to open Oct. 1.
The original Flo’s Luncheonette has been in neighboring Blue Point since 1926.
Flo’s of Patchogue opened in 2014 in the Briarcliffe College building but closed in December to make way for the new Blue Point Brewery.
“I’m excited to be back,” said Vigliotta. “I’m finally able to tell our customers we will indeed have a new location, and this time it’s going to be right in the heart of Patchogue.”
But the move doesn’t come without a casualty.
Flo’s is setting up in Flight at 38 West Main Street, whose last night was Saturday.
Flight opened in December.
Flight co-owner James Bonanno said that in the 18 months it took to build Flight, the popularity of his and partner Dave Johnson’s Tap Room locations in Patchogue and Massapequa Park exploded.
That, and they’re running a rapidly growing acai bowl chain called Bango Bowls.
“It was a tough decision and bittersweet because we really love the concept and we love our staff and we’re fortunate to be keeping a lot of them,” Bonanno said. “But it just made sense to focus more of our time and energy on the other companies.”
It was Bonanno, a Blue Point native, who thought to approach Flo’s.
“I’ve been going to Flo’s since I was 5 years old,” he said. “Now I live right in New Village [in Patchogue] and I know I would go to Flo’s for breakfast all the time. I just thought it would be the perfect fit.”
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Bonanno said that at just 1,700 square feet, Flight was too small for a dinner-only operation — and expanding would have been expensive and labor intensive.
“Flo’s will have a quick turnover and be able to serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner,” he said.
The changeover won’t take much, Vigliotta and Tepper. They will do some painting to better match Flo’s red, white and blue colors, and add some art and signage, the explained. They also feel Flight’s wood decor works with Flo’s and its beachy theme.
The pizza oven will be gone and replaced with a milkshake station, from which they plan to serve up traditional milkshakes and alcohol-infused shakes.
They chose Oct. 1 to open because it’s after the busy season for Flo’s Luncheonette, sister location Floasis on Corey Beach and the Flo’s food truck.
Tepper, also a Blue Point native, helped Bonanno launch Flight as its executive chef. He was the one who got Connor and Bonanno talking in recent weeks.
“I grew up going to Flo’s,” said Tepper. “To be involved now is a dream come true for me.”
Vigliotta said people are always asking him about a second Flo’s location — even pitching their own hometowns.
“I get emails from people asking me,” he said. “But I was never sure whether we would reopen or just stick with what we got.”
Meanwhile, Tepper was working on convincing him to take over Flight.
“And when the thousanth customer asked me about coming back, I said OK let’s do it,” Vigliotta said.
Top: Jason Tepper and Connor Vigliotta outside Flo’s Luncheonette in Blue Point. (Credit: Michael White)
Editor’s note: Anyone who had purchased a Flight gift card can contact them by clicking here and sending a message for a refund.
