The owner of Bollinger's delicatessen on Main Street in Farmingdale recently said that he plans to open a restaurant inside the vacant building which formerly housed Von Leesen's restaurant.

This word comes less than a month after Von Leesen's owner Andrea Donovan packed her bags, shut the doors of the legendary spot, and promised to relocated elsewhere on Long Island. The restaurant and ice cream shop had been on Main Street since the early 1900s. The move caused many local merchants, residents and patrons of the establishment to express concern and sadness.

As Donovan has the rights to the Von Leesen's name, the new restaurant at the Farmingdale site will be called Bollinger's. Like Von Leesen's, it will be a family restaurant and ice cream shop. The delicatessen will remain open, according to Fred Bollinger, who has owned it for 19 years. "This place is always busy, just like that place is always going to be," he said last week while working behind the deli counter. He expects the new establishment to open within the next four to six weeks.

Von Leesen's was renovated in a 1950s motif after a fire a few years ago caused damage to it. Therefore, the current seating, which is relatively new, will remain, according to Bollinger. He noted that he is currently cleaning up the place, designing a new menu, and preparing for opening. He anticipates kicking off the opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony with Farmingdale Village Mayor Joseph Trudden.

Upon news of the plans, some local merchants offered words of support for Bollinger. "I think, first of all, he's a good businessman, number one," said Harry Bowen, who has owned Wolly's hardware store on Main Street for over 40 years, adding that Bollinger is a fair businessman. "I think he's got the makings to do a good job there. He really is on the ball," he said.

Bowen also expressed a belief that the new restaurant will benefit Farmingdale Village's central business district. "All small villages are hurting," he said, noting that mega-stores and malls in recent years have drawn customers away from villages' small businesses. "I think it would be helpful," he said of the anticipated Bollinger's restaurant, "because I think it would draw more people back to town, because they know him, and they know he'll give them a good deal."

Robin Graudons, who has owned Irene's House of Gifts on Main Street for over 20 years, noted that although she was sorry to see Von Leesen's go, she is glad a fellow local merchant will be re-occupying the building. Wishing Bollinger and his family well, she said, "I'm happy. I think it will be for good for them and good for the town."