Grandma’s Bagels & Pizza is ready to feed you!
A very new business — just about four months old — in Highland Falls, Grandma’s Bagel & Pizza, located at 265 Main St. in Highland Falls, took a beating when the July 9 flood came. It had to close.
But, the building — which is a community landmark, next to the Highland Falls Post Office and built in about 1840 — stood the test of the rushing waters, and, with a whole lot of cleanup help, is now open again.
The help came in the form of the William J. Larkin, Jr. Community Response Task Force.
New York State Assemblyman Brian Maher, Megan Hurlburt and Kristen Mulligan were on hand in front of Grandma’s this past Tuesday morning to present restaurant owner Wilmer Londa with a plaque recognizing the struggle he went through and emerged from.
(Maher, it should be noted, does not represent the Town of Highlands in his Assembly district. He, Hurlburt and Mulligan are all former staffers of Senator Larkin who wanted to do something to remember the late senator by, and created the Task Force.)
Hurlburt called Tuesday “bittersweet”, noting that the devastation from the flood was terrible, but that it was great to see the business reopen.
Grandma’s is one of the first businesses which benefited from the Larkin Task Force. Maher said others, as well as individuals, are also being helped.
He said it was through community partnerships that they are able to help. In the case of Grandma’s, he specifically cited ServPro (providing about $15,000 in in-kind work including technicians, labor and materials) and Taylor Recycling (donating dumpsters to clean out the building).
But, he also said that instrumental in the support of cleanup in Highland Falls and Fort Montgomery have been the Orange County Chamber of Commerce, the Community Foundation of Orange & Sullivan, ShopRite Supermarkets, American Legion Post 633, Pharmacann and many local, state and federal officials.
“The Larkin Task Force was able to act quickly here,” Maher said, “coordinating in-kind services and donations and off-setting costs related to labor and materials to the reconstruction of the pizzeria.”
With Maher and the others at the re-opening was Pat Larkin, the widow of Senator Larkin. She wished the business well. Also on hand was Highland Falls Mayor Joe D’Onofrio who recalled how much Senator Larkin “loved and helped Highland Falls”; Mrs. Larkin nodded in agreement.
“And through this fund, he is still helping us,” the mayor said. “He is still giving to this community.”
The Larkin Task Force wants to help more, Maher said, but they, like many residents and businesses, are waiting for individual assistance from FEMA to be declared. They are anxious to move ahead.
“This fund is an example of how we may be able to move forward to fill gaps between those who will receive government assistance and those who will not,” he said.
As a part of Tuesday morning’s official re-opening, Grandma’s was presented with a one-year membership to the Orange County Chamber of Commerce and a ribbon-cutting was done. Londa beamed through it all, and thanked the Larkin Task Force, “and everyone who helped me” for their efforts to help him reopen.
Immediately following the short ceremony, all involved went into Grandma’s for a piece of pizza.
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The Community Foundation of Orange & Sullivan manages the William. J. Larkin Jr. Community Response Task Force Fund.
To donate to it, for the purpose of serving residents and businesses within the greater Hudson Valley area who are facing challenges that require assistance above and beyond the means and responsibility of traditional public and private institutions, visit www.cfosny.org/william-j-larkin-jr-community-response-task-force-fund.
Funds raised will support efforts that may include, but are not limited to, emergency assistance caused by natural disasters, food and prescription medication purchase and delivery, temporary lodging, transportation needs and education initiatives. This fund will also provide support, as needed, to local charitable organizations whose mission helps to protect and improve the quality-of-life of residents and businesses in the district.
To apply for grants from the fund, visit the same site.
