When Colin McKaharay and Joe Creamer decided to go into business, they didn’t realize that their paths had almost crossed before.
Both men are Merrick natives, and now they are the pioneers that started “The Patio” in Freeport, located at 445 South Main St. A mutual friend put the two in contact after Creamer visited some of the restaurants McKaharay had worked at.
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“When I first walked in the door, the first thing we noticed is that we drive the exact same car,” McKaharay said. “Then, after talking, we discussed how we both grew up in Merrick.”
Both men went to Merrick Avenue Junior High School, and then Creamer went to Chaminade. McKaharay went to Calhoun High School.
“Growing up, we didn't know each other, but there were a lot of connections,” McKaharay said. “His father’s side grew up in Freeport and his mother’s side grew up in Merrick. So did mine.”
After the two met, they put their heads together to bring a Dune Road-like atmosphere to Freeport.
“We pretty much achieved the initial goals,” he said. “I think it almost has a Miami flare to it.”
The duo has worked hard to get their winter business going, and a professional catering package is offered as well. Also, live entertainment is provided as well at The Patio.
The restaurant, which used to have only 30 seats, has expanded by 20, which McKaharay said it helped increase the dining capacity and the bar area after the restaurant closes. He also said that about 1/3 of the clientele is from Merrick.
“It’s like a home away from home,” he said.
The business is currently closed, and will reopen in April of 2013, according to the website, which you can check out by clicking here.
What do you think of The Patio? Tell us on the comments section below.
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Suzie Alvey May 23, 2013 at 05:20 pm
Mike, The children are sooo cute! A few of them are from your area.
Mary May 23, 2013 at 09:27 am
Correction on spelling: Susan Becchina or "Soo" as we know and love her!
Bobby Stokel May 21, 2013 at 11:17 am
Thank you to everyone so far in showing your support. We still need more signatures so please help…Read More :-)
Tammy Lovinlife Snowden May 21, 2013 at 09:47 pm
Thank you so much for posting this blog. This happened to be my husbands cousin whom was missing…Read More since Sunday. God is amazing how I was led to this blog, again I thank you, and to let you know you helped someone with this information.
Michael Ganci (Editor) May 20, 2013 at 12:37 am
We just posted. I was at the scene. Hope this helps! MG…Read More http://merrick.patch.com/groups/breaking-news/p/woman-struck-by-train-at-merrick-lirr-station
Zach T May 17, 2013 at 07:20 pm
The School board is a bunch of morons if they want to remove this designation! There were 0 problems…Read More like this when Malucci was in office, this new superintendent is a waste of space, money, and cares more about his own paycheck then our kids! Between school security, and now this, I motion that we get rid of that skell!
Dr. Kim Lurie May 16, 2013 at 12:54 pm
Bless you, Anthony. And though I know ultimately the "Judge" will have to be held…Read More accountable by a higher authority...those of us who do this work, have not forgotten nor will we allow the system to forget what her role in this travesity was.
Anthony Merlo May 16, 2013 at 10:24 am
Thank you for this wonderful article on a good man pushed to the brink. I appriciate the fact this…Read More came form the heart and did not hold back. As Sacristan at Cure of Ars, I had the pleasure of working with Dr. Rich (as I called him) for some time. He was a man of faith and a pleasure to see. Always with a smile and kind word, you would never know what was going on the way he acted. This was a wonderful and insightful article. It is heartbreaking to think that where there was once love between 2 people, things got to the point where one persons life was destroyed by those who could and did for no apparent reason other than having the ability to do so. God will have mercy on Dr. Rich and the ex-wife and "Judge" should pray for the same given their actions.