The new Drift 82 brought the east side of Patchogue River to life this summer, quickly becoming the hot waterfront spot in the area.
But that kept owners John Sarno and Tim Kelly quite busy.
On Thursday, they got to celebrate a bit.
“We hope you guys are proud of what we did … we’re extremely proud of the product we’re putting out right now,” Kelly told community leaders at a ceremonial ribbon-cutting.
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Work started in March at the former On the Waterfront location, which was badly damaged by Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and re-opened a couple years later before shutting down for good after last summer.
Drift 82 opened in June after an extensive renovation and a regrading of the parking lot.
“If you told me seven years ago I would own two places in Patchogue, I would say I’m very blessed and fortunate to be here, speaking to everybody today,” said, who also owns the Village Idiot Pub. “This was a challenge, but the end result is fantastic; it’s great.”
Sarno also noted that his family, the owners of Budget Buy & Sell, have been in the village for over 30 years.
“I’ve seen the lows and the highs,” he said.
Sarno and Kelly also own the Village Idiot Irish Pub together in Oakdale.
About Drift 82 specifically, he said, “we’re just getting started.”
Sarno has hinted to GreaterPatchogue about a second floor deck and dining at Drift — the river’s southernmost restaurant that’s just a few hundred yards from the Davis Park Ferry Co. terminal and the bay.
Drift 82 will be open throughout the year.
On the Waterfront was owned and operated for decades by Edward and Mary Halverson.
According to Newsday, the Halversons named the place after the 1954 Marlon Brando film by the same name.
Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce executive director David Kennedy, who emceed Thursday night’s events, said being at Drift 82 brought back a lot of memories.
“I had my first job [in the same building] when I was 15 years old, washing dishes,” he said.
Top: The Drift 82 owners John Sarno and Tim Kelly are joined by friends, family and community leaders for Thursday night’s ribbon-cutting ceremony at the riverfront restaurant. (Michael White)
