FARMINGDALE, NY — The Nutty Irishman of Farmingdale celebrated its 20th anniversary Friday with a ribbon cutting and a temporary street renaming of the nearby alleyway to The Nutty Irishman Way.
Elected officials, locally and from the state, as well as Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce officials, joined owner Joe Fortuna in celebrating The Nutty Irishman’s milestone. Fortuna became owner in 2016, but the bar’s history dates back to 2004.
Farmingdale Village Mayor Ralph Ekstrand pointed out Fortuna’s restaurant group’s expansion in Farmingdale — it has gone on to open 317 Main Street, Vico, The James Room, and added The Recovery Room to The Nutty Irishman.
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“The Nutty Irishman has been a phenomenal partner to the revitalization of downtown Farmingdale,” Ekstrand told Patch. “Joe has been instrumental in forming the Business Improvement District. He’s on the Business Improvement District board. He has always been active with the Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce. And he has always helped out in Farmingdale whenever we’ve asked him to. He’s a great asset.”
Fortuna previously said he feels “honored” that his restaurant group gives back when the community needs help, whether it is fundraising in a time of tragedy or bringing people together.He said the group is “so happy” to be a part of the community.
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“Farmingdale is a great town. A great community,” Fortuna said. “We’re very happy to be here. We wouldn’t have expanded so much here — we would be in other towns and other Main Streets — but we invest in this community because we’re happy and we believe in it.”
The ribbon cutting is just the first phase of The Nutty Irishman’s birth month.
A Long Island 80s Music Concert fundraiser for Tunnel to Towers is scheduled for 4 to 8 p.m. Oct. 13. Bands set to play include The Touch, Lovesong, Tara, Splash, Jane Doe, Screamer of the Week, The Electric Dudes and Skeedle Bros.
A 20th anniversary party is scheduled for 4 p.m. Oct. 19. The party is open to everyone. The original owner, Mike McElwee, now a Town of Islip councilman, is set to attend, as are original employees. The original members of Peat Moss & The Fertilizers are set to perform. The restaurant will be offering complimentary barbecue and 20th anniversary t-shirts.
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