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Betty’s Burgers and Ice Cream Bar hadn’t even been open for two full months.
Now, the brand-new Merrick restaurant is closed until further notice after this weekend’s nor’easter sent 5 to 6 inches of water inside, destroying kitchen equipment, damaging walls and getting into just about everything.
Co-owner John Breeze told Greater Long Island that they’re still trying to determine just how extensive the damage is, including whether the restaurant at 1960 Bayberry Ave. will have to be gutted.
For now, they’re waiting to see what the insurance company says.
And Breeze has no idea how long Betty’s will be closed.
“Until further notice,” he said. “I honestly couldn’t even begin to guess.”
Friday was the restaurant’s last day open before the storm.
By Sunday morning, the street and parking lot were completely underwater as Merrick Bay spilled into the area.
“When we finally got inside the place, it was bad,” Breeze said. “I turned on the ice cream machine to see if it was OK and it started smoking from the bottom.”
Betty’s opened in early August and was already preparing for its first holiday-themed attraction.
“We were getting ready for our Halloween experience,” Breeze said. “The guy was supposed to come here today and decorate the place all day.”
The restaurant had opened Aug. 11 with a menu built around double-stacked smashburgers, creative toppings and oversized ice cream creations. When Greater Long Island visited Betty’s on opening day, Breeze spoke about his excitement over finally welcoming customers to the new restaurant.
“We are very excited to be a part of this community,” he said at the time. “We hope to serve everyone the right way and everyone loves our food.”
Breeze shared this week’s sad news with the South Shore community on Facebook, while promising that Betty’s Burger and Ice Cream Bar will eventually return.
“Due to circumstances beyond our control and being affected by the storm this past weekend, we will be closed until further notice,” he wrote.
“We would like to thank the Merrick community and everyone who has supported us. Our establishment has taken significant damage but we will come back and serve all of you.”
Top: Betty’s Burgers and Ice Cream Bar as it appeared Saturday morning in Merrick, at the height of the nor’easter. Inset: Owner John Breeze in August. (Credit: GLI/Andrew Rappaport)
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