Stango's Restaurant Struggles to Stay Afloat in Economy

While restaurants and businesses all over the nation struggle to survive through the current economy, Glen Cove landmark is no exception. 

The restaurant has been owned and operated within the Stango family for over 90 years and has survived through the Great Depression and World War II, but owners say that the current economy is one of the toughest for business they've seen.

"We've been through it all," said Gabe Cocchiola, one of the owners and grandson of the original proprietor Concetta Stango. "Though from what we've seen in our 92-year history, right now is the most challenging time to run the business, much in part due to the heavy tax and regulation burdens."

The Stango family currently reports a staff of twelve full-time employees and at least three part-time employees, and said they have also faced skyrocketing inflation, which attributes to rising food costs with gas prices currently over the four dollars per gallon mark.

Gabe said that businesses like Stango's take a hit every time a big business fails or relocates out of Glen Cove.

"The people from businesses like Potocircuits, PALL, Tweezerman, and Konica were all customer's at Stango's, but moved out of the region for one reason or another. Every big business which have left town takes business from others."

Gabe's brother John Cocchiola said they have observed many other businesses closing down and expects that most proprietors have absorbed losses with reduced profits to cover the difference.

"Most small businesses have not taken home steady pay in years," said John. "But still through decades of tax policy at every layer of government, the small businesses have suffered major setbacks."

While the brothers said they remain hesitant to speculate on Stango's future, they said they were uncertain about the long-term stability of the hallmarked restaurant.

"We'd love nothing more than to stick around here and do good for the community, but it's becoming increasingly difficult to do so," said Gabe.

John said that he believes the government plays a role in the failures of many local businesses.

"We don't need special deals; we just need government to lay off our back. And I think all businesses would agree. We need room to breathe."