Hugo Fitzgerald and Gaelen Harlacher spent nearly a decade making the rounds at Long Island’s farmers markets before finding the perfect spot to finally call home.
Now they’ve opened Nautilus Roasting Co., located at 1000 New York Ave., Unit A, in Huntington Station.
For Fitzgerald, coffee isn’t just a passion — it’s a lifelong relationship.
“I started drinking it when I was seven years old,” he said. “My mom would send me to the deli around the block to pick it up for her, and I’d always take a sip until I started getting my own… I assume it’s part of everyone’s life.”
Fitzgerald, who grew up in Lindenhurst, said it all really started to click in high school, when he found himself drawn to the atmosphere of local coffee shops. Later, as a touring musician, he saw just how much those spaces meant to the towns he visited.
“Coffee shops are the community hubs,” he said.
After earning a degree in American History and working in advertising, Fitzgerald still couldn’t shake his dream of opening a coffee shop of his own.
“I was saying I wanted to do it for 15 years, at least,” he said.
That dream kicked into high gear once he began learning the craft of brewing.
“I went down a culture and coffee rabbit hole and learned more just about coffee in those 10 years than I learned about American History in college,” he laughed. “I got into a hobby of trying different methods, and then the hobby became an obsession, and then I had five gallons of cold brew that I thought to bring to a farmers market to try and sell.”
While looking for a storefront, Fitzgerald and Harlacher decided to set up shop at weekly markets in Babylon, Sayville and Three Village, where they built up their following.
Why Nautilus?
The name Nautilus is layered in meaning. For starters, Fitzgerald said he wanted something that nodded to Long Island’s maritime roots.
“I wanted a brand that spoke to that nautical, old-timey history world that I studied in college,” he said.
He’s also a lifelong fan of Herman Melville’s Moby Dick — he even has a half-sleeve tattoo of the novel — but “Starbuck” was already taken. So he turned to another favorite, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne.
The submarine in that story is called the Nautilus.
That’s how Nautilus Roasting Co. was born.
The new shop
In 2021, Fitzgerald learned about new mixed-use developments coming to Huntington Station and knew he wanted in.
“I knew that I wanted my shop to be in my own neighborhood,” said Fitzgerald, who now lives in Huntington Station. “This area is cool and has such potential.”
At the time, nothing was available. But when the former CUP Café closed in April 2024, he jumped at the opportunity.
After a lengthy negotiation process, Fitzgerald officially got the keys on Feb. 1.
Since then, he and his team have been transforming the space into what Nautilus is today.
“It’s a huge change from what it was,” he said.
The shop is filled with curated oddities and a hurricane of eclectic design choices — all part of Fitzgerald’s vision to make it a place that feels personal and inviting.
He also made sure to pay homage to Huntington Station’s rich cultural history, particularly the contributions of people of color in the community. Murals inside highlight figures whose stories are often overlooked in local lore.
There’s also a rotating art wall and a dedicated mini-gallery for local shows.
“We’re big collectors so all our little oddity stuff is in here,” he said. “I wanted to curate a vibe that resonates with people.”
What’s on the menu?
Nautilus Roasting officially opened earlier this month and offers cold brew, iced teas, espresso, hot lattes, and housemade syrups.
They’ve partnered with a local baker to serve vegan sourdough-based pastries, including what Fitzgerald calls “delicious donuts.”
They also offer macarons from a fellow farmers market vendor and locally brewed kombucha.
And while they’re starting small, Fitzgerald said big things are brewing.
“We have a lot of big ideas,” he said.
Nautilus Roasting is open Wednesday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Top: While looking for a storefront, Hugo Fitzgerald and Gaelen Harlacher decided to set up shop at weekly markets in Babylon, Sayville and Three Village, where they built up their following. (courtesy photo)
