Farmingdale wants youth to come downtown

With a state college two miles north, Farmingdale village sees opportunity. But its downtown of mom-and-pop stores, pubs and vacant buildings holds little attraction for those under 21.

That's why village Mayor George Starkie provided the tiebreaking vote last month approving permits for a new hookah lounge.

Similar late-night establishments, where patrons smoke flavored tobacco from communal water pipes, are legal in Nassau County for ages 19 and older.

"There's just nothing for them to do now," Starkie said of young people in the area. "They're not going to one of the fancy restaurants, so how many Subway sandwiches can you eat?"

Village trustees, by a 3-2 vote, approved Lava Lounge's special-use permit to operate from two empty Conklin Street storefronts, between the Library Café and a tile store. Opening is expected by fall, just as the village begins its downtown revitalization project, including a hotel.

"You're going to see a lot of development in that area," said Roupen Aslanian, one of three Lava Lounge partners. "There's definitely big money flowing into Farmingdale village."

Aslanian, 24, of Dix Hills, attended Farmingdale State College, and said he, his brother Stepan and friend Maurice El-Deiry -- all in their early 20s -- envision the lounge having a "Starbucks feel," with young people also gathering to order coffee, tea and smoothies.

The business, which is expected to be open until 3 a.m. on weekends, will have special ventilation, a doorman and standard hookah safeguards ensuring no one can place illicit drugs into water pipes.

Deputy Mayor Patricia Christiansen, who voted no, said she didn't want to promote smoking of any kind among young people.

But Aslanian said, "Excess of anything is not good for you. Drinking in a bar is not good for you."

The village has a cigar shop with a smoking lounge, which Christiansen noted predates her time as a trustee.

"I do think that (the cigar shop) is much more of a retail use," she said. "These young men are looking for people to come in and spend time."

Despite her opposition, Christiansen complimented Lava Lounge's renovation plans for a set of blighted buildings. From that standpoint, Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce president Debbie Poldolski is optimistic.

"We hope they're successful," she said. "This seems to be a very popular thing in the city, and if you're trying to revitalize downtown, you want to include businesses that attract young people."

Starkie noted that bakeries and cellphone stores have both failed recently at the proposed Lava Lounge location.

"We have to start thinking for the next generation," he said. "The older generation, we had our shot. A lot of the businesses weren't sustainable."