Mineola village and Chamber of Commerce reps canvassed the area back in April with their venture “Keep Mineola Beautiful,” a joint effort to spruce up local storefronts. More than 30 businesses took up the challenge, adorning their front facades with flower planters, new signage and overall upkeep.
“It’s like planting seeds,” chamber president and Piccola Bussola restaurant owner Tony Lubrano said of getting the word out about the program. “You go around, spread the word and hope things sprout. I was happy that we saw a number of places step up and do the right thing.”
Lubrano said the goal is to have this program “catch on” and that the idea will serve more as a necessity rather than the need of prodding.
The chamber and village sees this project as a community-minded initiative, rather than a “gotcha”-type move.
“There are stores that have clearly demonstrated that they are committed to beautifying Mineola,” chamber vice president Joel Harris said. “They’re using flower pots, plants and more to make everything presentable. It’s nice to see people take pride in what they have.”
—The Mineola American will feature small vignettes on businesses who participated in the Keep Mineola Beautiful program in coming posts and print issues. For more, click here.
The village’s beautification committee, headed by Lisa Dalfonso, helped coordinate the group effort in canvassing downtown Mineola. Dalfonso helped install 28 planters near the Long Island Rail Road station last year in advance of the Mineola Street Fair. She’s hoping to extend this idea past Station Plaza.
Mayor Scott Strauss along with chamber members walked local business districts to highlight the program.
“When we went to stores and explained what we were looking to do, they bought into it,” Strauss said. “Trying to get it implemented was a bit harder. But I think we’ll get more cooperation as the days go by.”
Venezia’s Garden Center and Granath Color Works, along with other businesses, contributed with plantings as well as paint and finishing work.
Tom Granath and his crew was instrumental in the inaugural upkeep of a Mineola hotspot with the Mineola Diner on Jericho Turnpike and Willis Avenue.
“We did the Mineola Diner and gave the place a full facelift,” Granath said. “We power-washed the entire place and repainted the walls and windows. I think we have to maintain credibility.”
For Lubrano, he feels the program will raise the bar across the village.
“We want to change the perception of what’s acceptable,” Lubrano said. “There are places that keep their businesses nice all the time. But then you have others that could need some help and even a small planting can do a big service.”
Lubrano hopes the program catches on with other pockets of Mineola over time. “We’re hoping that if one business fixes up their spot, a neighboring store will do the same,” Lubrano said. “That people will see that and say ‘that’s what should be normal in Mineola.’ We want to raise the expectations of what the norm is.
