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Crime & Safety

Local Restaurants Prepare as Irene Sneaks Closer

Patchogue dining spots are making preparations for the hurricane

While Patchogue residents prepare for Hurricane Irene by stocking up their battery and candle supply, local restaurants are staying calm and taking it day by day.

Owner of and Mark Miller said he received a mandatory evacuation notice just hours ago, the message requesting Patchogue restaurants shut down on Sunday.

“Up until a couple of hours ago we were laid back, but now we’re turning it up a couple of notches,” Miller said. “We’re making arrangements with our food provider and taking in anything we can take in.”

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Most areas including outdoor dining spots, such as Miller’s locations, plan on staying open tonight, then evaluating the best course of action as the weekend goes on.

“[Customers] want to have a hurricane party while the ball game is on tomorrow,” manager of Mary Halverson said. “We’re taking down the awnings and praying for the best, the rest we’ll leave up to nature.”

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Some restaurants on the shore have to take care of issues other than outdoor furniture.

“We’re making calls to get the boat owners to come down and take care of them, some boats have already pulled out,” manager of Kristy Zahn said. “We’re just going to stay open as long as we can and see what happens.”

Evacuation messages and rough weather aside, some restaurant employees would have their venue stay open all weekend if they could.

“I’m one of those guys who likes to go down with his ship, so I’d hang in there ‘til the last minute if I could,” Miller said.

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