Community Corner
Residents Flock to Flo's for Season Opening
The seasonal staple opens marking the unofficial start of summer for Bayport-Blue Point residents.
Upon walking up to , the iconic Blue Point seasonal restaurant conveniently located down the block from , one can't help but feel as though they've stepped back in time. Classic rock music by the likes of The Beatles and Elvis Presley blares from the stereo providing the perfect soundtrack for this retro slice of Americana that is a throwback to a simpler time.
The outdoor summer eatery, open for a casual al fresco dining experience now through the middle of September, is evocative of a malt shop from a 1950s beach party movie.
Since 1926, Flo's has been making the summer season just a little bit brighter, and it looks as though it will continue to serve up great food in a unique ambience for years to come.
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"It's a good summer tradition. It's kid-friendly," said local resident Christina Law.
When her husband Mike found out that Flo's is putting in a bar stocked with wine and beer next week he joked, "That's it, we're never going to leave."
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Blue Point resident Dave Vigliotta has been the owner of the establishment for more than a decade. His son Connor, 23, is the manager. Connor and his brother Dave, 28, are in charge of keeping the place hopping on a day-to-day basis.
Dave Vigliotta, Jr. credits their loyal seasonal employees as a main factor in the continued success of the restaurant, and the charm it embodies.
"It's great, because all the kids (employees) come back here every year, and a lot of them will stay throughout while they're in their college career," he said. "They love it. They all work really, really hard. They invent stuff, like the ice cream menu; they created it."
Connor, who just graduated college, has been running Flo's for the past four years, and can't imagine doing anything else.
"We keep it family-friendly, but we like to keep it fresh for the young people. We're always adding new stuff, I love it. All my best friends are inside," he said.
Many adults who now bring their children to the nostalgic hangout remember coming to Flo's when they were growing up.
Lifelong Bayport resident, Carrie Almskog, said her dad used to always talk about Flo's famous root beer.
"We've been coming for years, and bringing (our kids), and we're having our baby tomorrow, I wanted to get in one more Flo's meal," Almskog said. "The food's good, and the kids love it here. They've been coming since they were born. They're eating ice cream sodas with the famous root beer."
Sue Schulken from Sayville went to Flo's on Saturday with friends and family to celebrate her son Jack's 6th birthday.
"[Jack] loves it here. Everyone loves Flo's. It's eating outside, and ice cream, and the beach. Everyone that comes over to our house wants to come to Flo's. It works for me; I don't have to cook," quipped Schulken.
The Schulkens have been coming to the Blue Point landmark for the past three years since they moved to the area.