Ex Herricks wrestlers tackle eatery, food raising

Richard Tedesco

When Willy Parkers director of marketing suggested a food-raising campaign as a first gesture from the new owners signaling their desire to get involved in community activism, it struck a chord with Louis and Rino DiMaria – two brothers who grew up in Williston Park and own the restaurant.

For Rino DiMaria it conjured memories of stories her mother had told him about how her family struggled during her childhood in Sicily.

“My mother grew up dirt poor,” he said.

Both brothers wanted to set a tone for their new role in the business community with their Hillside Avenue location, which had shown mixed results for previous restaurant owners.

“You have to give back to the community,” said Louis DiMaria.

For Tim Meyer, who doubles as Willy Parker’s line chef, it was a chance to exercise skills he had developed during a college internship with the New York Public Interest Research Group.

Louis DiMaria thought of involving five other local restaurants in the effort, and that proved its worth, with the initiative ultimately yielding between 50 and 60 pounds of food for Island Harvest.

The other restaurants participating in the drive were TR’s Great American Fine Food and Spirits, Williston Townhouse Diner, Frantoni’s Pizzeria Ristorante and Angelina’s Pizzeria and Restaruant.

“Six drop-offs can raise more than one,” Meyer said.

It’s just one effort the DiMarias have in mind. They’re planning to approach the village board about making the Thanksgiving food collection an annual community event.

They’ll also be joining the Chambers of Commerce of the Willistons next month.

Right now, the DiMarias are focused on making Willy Parkers the kind of casual American cuisine pub they think they think suits the community.

“We’re doing this place right. This is the way it needs to be done,” Rino said

It’s a special kind of homecoming for him, who once worked as a busboy in the same location when it was Bomonts Cafe years ago. He worked to raise money for wrestling camp.

Both brothers made their mark as members of the Herricks High School wrestling squad. Louis was a state high school champion in his weight class in 1992 and went on to be a two-time All-American at Penn State University. Younger brother Rino was a Nassau County champion in 1988, when he was also All-State. He attended Hofstra University on scholarship, but suffered a career-ending injury in his sophomore year.

The former wrestlers have shared a common career interest in the restaurant business, most recently developing a chain of restaurants called Joanne’s Gourmet Pizza. They still own their original Joanne’s location on Northern Boulevard in Manhasset. But they sold four of the other restaurants in the chain to revive Willy Parkers.

“We saw the place was available and it was a good concept,” the elder DiMaria said

Despite the history of the location, which has had a series of bar-eateries over the past several years, the brothers thought there was some cache in the name, with its obvious play on the name of the village itself.

“It’s a cool name. It’s a popular name in town,” he said.

The current restaurant has the same name as its immediate predecessor. With eight flat-screen TV screens, it evokes the atmosphere of a sports bar, boasting 24 beers and ales on tap.

Live rock bands will perform on Friday and Saturday nights, with live jazz bands on Tuesday nights and karaoke on Wednesdays. On Tuesday nights, there will be a “Bringing Back Bomont’s” – a bar that preceded Willy Parkers in the location with 2-for-1 drink specials. Lades drink for half-price at Thursday night Ladies Night.

It’s the first time the DiMaria brothers have owned a restaurant with non-Italian cuisine. But they bring plenty of business experience to their most recent effort and they appreciate the response of community residents thus far.

They said they’re already booked up for the holidays, and the future looks promising.

“The neighborhood is behind it. Everyone’s been supportive,” Louis DiMaria said.

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