Piccola Bussola owner Tony Lubrano can’t remember a time he hasn’t been involved with the Mineola Chamber of Commerce. While he became chamber vice president in 2012, he can think back 13 years when he entered his first foray of chamber duties.
“When I was in the restaurant and remodeling the place, in walked newly-elected Mayor Jack Martins and the chamber president of the time, Carmella Bernacchio,” Lubrano said. “I didn’t know what a chamber was. They explained it and at the time I was opening up, they were looking for a new meeting spot. I ended up joining before I even opened.”
His efforts were rewarded last Tuesday, June 16, when he was elevated to president of the Mineola stronghold. Lubrano succeeds Bill Greene, owner of Tsontos Furs on Jericho Turnpike. Joel Harris of Joel Harris Photography will be elevated to vice president.
“It’s really more of a team effort,” Lubrano said. “It’s a great group of people. We all work on each and all of the events together. In my mind, it doesn’t change a lot.”
Green, Harris and Lubrano are excited to tackle the chamber’s upcoming event slate, with Movie Night in the Park on July 24 in Wilson Park showing the Pixar blockbuster, Frozen. The Mineola Street Fair on Sept. 13 will relocate from the downtown area near the Mineola Long Island Rail Road Station and now span Jericho Turnpike, from Mineola Boulevard east to Nassau Boulevard. The fair is already booking vendors.
“Moving to Jericho Turnpike, we’ve gotten a lot more interest in the event and a lot more inquiries,” Lubrano said. “Any paid chamber member can set up a spot at the fair for free.”
Taste and Style rounds out the chamber’s busy schedule on Nov. 12.
“These events are a true testament to a strong business community,” Lubrano said.
Greene put to bed the idea that he’d have less of a role while not serving as president in Mineola. He pointed to previous mantle-holders that have stayed involved long after theri term ended.
“As my two predecessors [Ray Sikorski and Steve Ford] are still an intricate part of the chamber…I plan on staying involved,” Greene said. “If it wasn’t for the board, I would be nothing. It’s a core of volunteers that make this chamber what it is.”
Harris is eager to get started in his new role. He’s been with the chamber since 2012, acting as the official photographer and manages the group’s website and social media outreach. Harris has lived in Mineola for 45 years.
“It’s an incredibly collaborative effort amongst a talented group of individuals,” Harris said.
Both Greene and Lubrano see a dedicated member in Harris.
“Joel is a fairly new member but he’s not afraid to take on responsibility,” Greene said. “We’ve been blessed the last few years with getting great new board and chamber members.”
The ongoing Keep Mineola Beautiful program, an idea kickstarted by Lubrano, chamber member Tom Granath, Mineola Mayor Scott Strauss and Village Beautification Committee Chair Lisa Dalfonso name, aims to encourage businesses to spruce up their storefronts in exchange for possible aesthetic amenities from chamber members.
“We want to demonstrate to the business community that there is a value to being a member of the chamber,” Lubrano said.
The chamber’s next initiative is creation of a “Welcome to Mineola” package, which would include a folder emblazoned with the village logo, a letter from the village board and the chamber to be given to new Mineola residents.
“We want to encourage people to shop locally,” Lubrano said. “We want people that are moving to have a reason to shop here, to shop downtown.”
