Honor New Way Lunch

Assembly Resolution No. 126 BY: M. of A. Stec COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of New Way Lunch WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize illustrious culinary establishments which have positively impacted and substantially contributed to the vitality of their communities; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of New Way Lunch; and WHEREAS, A landmark within its community, New Way Lunch is one of the area's most historic restaurants; and WHEREAS, The original owner of New Way Lunch, John Floro, traveled from Greece to New York City in 1916, to work a fruit stand in Brooklyn, New York, owned by his brothers; shortly after, he married the former Mary Lascaris and they had three daughters; and WHEREAS, As time went on, his brothers returned to Greece and John Floro took three months off, traveling upstate New York in search of employment and a place to call home; the rapidly growing family settled in Glens Falls, New York, where John became the owner of New Way Lunch at 54 South Street in August of 1919; and WHEREAS, From the early 1920s-1940s, New Way Lunch grew as a family run business, with many Floro clan members and friends working as employees; while in Glens Falls, John and Mary had two more daughters, which made five in total: Constance, Margaret, Diamond, Angela, and Themetria (Toly); and WHEREAS, During the 1940s, John Floro enlisted three of his daughters, Angela, Diamond and Toly, to sell hotdogs out of a food truck, which they fondly named Zenobia; traveling to Lake George Village, local football games and other events, the girls found great success; and WHEREAS, At its original site on South Street, New Way Lunch was open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, catering to the blue collar workers who had odd hours, as well as those out and about on South Street; and WHEREAS, John Floro passed away in 1950, during which time his daughter Margaret's husband, George Kokoletsos, became the new majority owner, operating the business from 1950 until his retirement in 1972; and WHEREAS, In the late 1970s, Peter Gazetos, the son of John Floro's daughter Angela, began to help out at the eatery, and by 1990, he had become the newest owner of New Way Lunch; just eight years later, Peter and his wife Susan opened a second New Way Lunch in Queensbury, New York, including a drive-through and off-street parking; and WHEREAS, The business continued to grow and in 2006, the couple moved the original New Way Lunch from 54 South Street to 21 South Street; this move allowed them to offer off-street parking and expanded menu selections in Glens Falls; and WHEREAS, The third New Way Lunch location opened in Warrensburg, New York, in 2011, with help from the couple's children, Nicholas and Alexandria; and WHEREAS, Today, under the able leadership of the Gazeto family, New Way Lunch's signature dish remains the "dirt dog," which features its special meat sauce on a steamed bun with mustard and diced onions; Nicholas and Alexandria, the fourth generation, will be operating New Way Lunch into the future in much of the same manner as their great-grandfather did 100 years ago; and WHEREAS, For a century, New Way Lunch has stood as a beloved establishment which has provided a friendly, open environment for patrons to collectively gather and share their thoughts, ideas and life experiences; and WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that this Legislative Body acknowledges this exceptional business and its contributions to the local and State economies, fully confident that it will continue to enjoy the sparkling successes it has experienced thus far; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of New Way Lunch; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to New Way Lunch.